2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Earth and Environmental Science - Bachelor of Arts (44 - 46 credits + 6 credits Internship)

The Earth and Environmental Science major meets the Subject Matter Knowledge requirements for General Science and allows Education students to meet teacher licensure requirements for General Science for Middle School, Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education. The major leads to a comprehensive scientific understanding of environmental issues. This major also prepares individuals for graduate-level training in environmental science or for entry-level employment in a broad and growing spectrum of environmental science careers. Students wishing to focus on Middle School Mathematics should declare the Mathematics major.

Learning Goals

  • Develop Critical Thinking and Inquiry Skills
  • Develop Scientific Literacy
  • Understand the Application of Science to Issues of Social Concern
  • Understand from Multiple Perspectives (including a historical perspective) the Breadth of Human Diversity
  • Prepare for Future Careers and Learning

Program Requirements

I. REQUIRED CORE COURSES (23 Credits):

CPHYS 1104Earth Science and Planetary Geology with Lab

4

CPHYS 1110Environmental Science w/Lab

4

CPHYS 2104Meteorology

3

CPHYS 2106Oceanography

3

CPHYS 2510Astronomy

3

CPHYS 3010Our Changing Climate

3

CNSCI 4550Directed Research Capstone: Science

3

II. REQUIRED CORE CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, MATHEMATICS (15 credits)

 
CPHYS 1308General Chemistry I with Lab

4

CPHYS 2102General Chemistry II with Lab

4

CPHYS 1250Physics I with Lab: Forces, Sound, Momentum & Energy

4

CMATH 3522Inferential Statistics

3

III. Earth and Environmental Science ELECTIVES - Choose TWO (6-8 CREDITS)

For MARINE STUDIES CONSORTIUM COURSES (maximum of 3 credits unless pre-approved by the Associate Provost in consultation with the Department Chair)

CBIOL 2505Ecology with Lab

4

CBIOL 2205Botany with Lab

4

CNSCI 2140Coastal Zone Management (Marine Studies Consortium Course)

3

CNSCI 2210Water Resources Planning and Management (Marine Studies Consortium Course)

3

CNSCI 4200Wetlands: Ecology, Hydrology, Restoration (Marine Studies Consortium Course)

3

IV. INTERNSHIP (6 Credits):

NOT required of Education Majors, or students who move from an education licensure program into an education minor.
CINTD 3100Interdisciplinary Internship & Seminar

3-6

or

CINTD 4100Interdisciplinary Internship & Seminar II

3-6

Marine Studies Consortium (MSC)

This consortium is an association of several Massachusetts higher education and research institutions. MSC courses offer unique learning opportunities in marine and aquatic sciences, environmental policy, and environmental management. The courses are potential choices for Environmental Science majors, as well as Education majors. Courses, which include an additional consortium tuition fee, are held during the evenings on the campuses of our member institutions. MSC course descriptions can be found in the course descriptions section of this catalog. For additional information and offerings, visit the consortium’s website at https://www.marinestudiesconsortium.org/.