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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2025-2026

Environmental Sciences (BS)

This area of study uses interdisciplinary approaches that link natural science and social science disciplines, and a knowledge of environmental systems and earth processes​. Such interdisciplinary approaches are essential for understanding changes in a rapidly changing world, and for understanding our past, present, and future.Ìý Environmental scientists will help ensure human prospects by improving both socio-economic development and environmental quality through innovation in new technologies and policies.

Public interest about environmental issues is increasing. Protecting and improving the environment involves knowledge and systematic problem-solving skills that are essential for environmental sciences. North Carolina State ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾'s environmental sciences degree program provides sound, individualized academic programs for students who can develop a wide range of careers.ÌýFor information on entrance requirements, contact the program coordinator:

Erin Champion
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, NCSU
Box 8008
Raleigh, NC 27695-8008
919.513.2520
eachampi@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

English & Communication
·¡±·³ÒÌý101Academic Writing and Research 14
Communication Skills 6
Mathematics and Science
²Ñ´¡Ìý131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A3
´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡Ìý141 Calculus I
²Ñ´¡Ìý231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3
´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡Ìý241 Calculus II
°ä±áÌý101
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
Select one of the following:4
Introductory Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
Select one of the following:4
Conceptual Physics
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
College Physics I
Science Electives4
Natural Sciences
µþ±õ°¿Ìý181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity4
AEC/PB 360Ecology4
´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿Ìý183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Natural Sciences Electives4
Departmental Requirements
·¡±·³ÕÌý100Student Success in Environmental First Year1
·¡±·³ÕÌý101Exploring the Environment2
·¡³§Ìý100Introduction to Environmental Sciences 13
·¡³§Ìý111Applications of Environmental Sciences 11
·¡³§Ìý200Climate Change and Sustainability 13
·¡³§Ìý300Energy and Environment 13
·¡³§Ìý400Analysis of Environmental Issues 13
³§°ÕÌý311Introduction to Statistics3
Analytical Skills Electives3
Economics Electives3
Environmental Law and Policy Electives3
External Learning Experience3
Focal Area
ES Focal Area (See Advisor) 215
Electives
Advised Electives (See Advisor) 29
General Education Program (GEP) Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Elective3
GEP Global Knowledge (Verify Requirements)
GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency GEP Global Knowledge (Verify Requirements)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 310
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or better is required.

2

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine how to complete this requirement.

3

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Communication Skills Electives

Written Communication Skills
Maximum of 3 credits
°ä°¿²ÑÌý336Newsletter Writing and Production3
·¡±·³ÒÌý210Introduction to Language and Linguistics3
·¡±·³ÒÌý214Introduction to Editing3
·¡±·³ÒÌý216Technologies for Texts3
·¡±·³ÒÌý281Introduction to Creative Nonfiction3
·¡±·³ÒÌý287Explorations in Creative Writing3
·¡±·³ÒÌý288Fiction Writing3
·¡±·³ÒÌý289Poetry Writing3
·¡±·³ÒÌý292Writing About Film3
·¡±·³ÒÌý316Introduction to News and Article Writing3
·¡±·³ÒÌý317Designing Networked Communications3
·¡±·³ÒÌý323Writing in Rhetorical Traditions3
·¡±·³ÒÌý324Modern English Syntax3
·¡±·³ÒÌý331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
·¡±·³ÒÌý332Communication for Business and Management3
·¡±·³ÒÌý333Communication for Science and Research3
·¡±·³ÒÌý422Writing Theory and the Writing Process3
·¡±·³ÒÌý425Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing3
·¡±·³ÒÌý426Analyzing Style3
¹ó³¢·¡Ìý402Advanced Written Communication in English for International Students3
Verbal/Oral Communication Skills
Maximum of 3 credits
´¡·¡·¡Ìý311Communication Methods and Media3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý110Public Speaking3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý112Interpersonal Communication3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý202Small Group Communication3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý211Argumentation and Advocacy3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý226Introduction to Public Relations3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý289Science Communication and Public Engagement3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý292Language, Communication, and Culture3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý392International and Crosscultural Communication3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý395Studies in Rhetoric and Digital Media3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý411Rhetorical Criticism3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý436Environmental Communication3
°ä°¿²ÑÌý479Climate Change Communication3
·¡±·³ÒÌý321Survey of Rhetorical Theory3
·¡±·³ÒÌý325Spoken and Written Traditions of American English Dialects3
·¡±·³ÒÌý326History of the English Language3
·¡±·³ÒÌý327Language and Gender3
·¡±·³ÒÌý328Linguistics for Education Professionals 3
·¡±·³ÒÌý329Language in Globalization 3
·¡±·³ÒÌý335Language Development3
·¡±·³ÒÌý395Studies in Rhetoric and Digital Media3
·¡±·³ÒÌý411Rhetorical Criticism3
·¡±·³ÒÌý494Special Topics in Linguistics1-3
±á³§³§Ìý392International and Crosscultural Communication3
±Ê¸é°ÕÌý342Recreation and Park Interpretive Services3
°Õ±á·¡Ìý103Introduction to the Theatre3
°Õ±á·¡Ìý203Theory and Practice of Acting3
°Õ±á·¡Ìý293Theater Practicum1-6
°Â³Ò³§Ìý327Language and Gender3

Science Electives

°ä±áÌý201
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý202
Chemistry - A Quantitative Science
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory
4
³Ò±·Ìý311Principles of Genetics4
²ÑµþÌý351
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý²ÑµþÌý352
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
4
±Ê³ÛÌý208
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
±Ê³ÛÌý212College Physics II4

Natural Sciences Electives

´¡·¡°äÌý419Freshwater Ecology4
´¡·¡°äÌý460Field Ecology and Methods4
¹ó°¿¸éÌý260Forest Ecology4
¹ó°¿¸éÌý401Dendrology4
²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý200
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý210
Introduction to Oceanography
and Oceanography Lab
4
±ÊµþÌý250Plant Biology4
±ÊµþÌý345
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý±ÊµþÌý346
Economic Botany
and Economic Botany Lab
4
³§³§°äÌý200
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý³§³§°äÌý201
Soil Science
and Soil Science Laboratory
4
´Ü°¿Ìý250Animal Anatomy and Physiology4
´Ü°¿Ìý350Animal Phylogeny and Diversity4
´Ü°¿Ìý402Invertebrate Biology4

Analytical SkillsÌýElectives

³Ò±õ³§Ìý280Introduction to GIS3
³§°ÕÌý312Introduction to Statistics II3
¹ó°¿¸éÌý353GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Analysis and Assessment3
±Ê³§Ìý371Research Methodology of Political Science3

Economics ElectivesÌý

´¡¸é·¡Ìý201Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics3
´¡¸é·¡Ìý201AIntroduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics3
·¡°äÌý201Principles of Microeconomics3
·¡°äÌý205Fundamentals of Economics3
±·¸éÌý219Natural Resource Markets3

ÌýÌýEnvironmental Law and Policy Electives

AREÌý309Environmental Law & Economic Policy3
PSÌý320U.S. Environmental Law and Politics3
PSÌý336Global Environmental Politics3
NRÌý460Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3

ÌýÌýExternal Learning Experience Electives

ESÌý496Environmental Science Internship1-3
ESÌý497Professional Development in Environmental Science1-3
ESÌý498Research in Environmental Science1-3
ESÌý499Thesis in Environmental Science3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
·¡±·³ÕÌý100 Student Success in Environmental First Year 1
·¡±·³ÕÌý101 Exploring the Environment 2
·¡±·³ÒÌý101 Academic Writing and Research 4
µþ±õ°¿Ìý181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
²Ñ´¡Ìý131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
·¡³§Ìý100 Introduction to Environmental Sciences 1 3
·¡³§Ìý111 Applications of Environmental Sciences 1 1
°ä±áÌý101
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
²Ñ´¡Ìý231 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 3
GEP Humanities 3
ÌýHours14
Second Year
Fall Semester
°ä±áÌý220
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý222
Introductory Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
AEC/PB 360
Ecology
or Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
4
Communications Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
·¡³§Ìý200 Climate Change and Sustainability 1 3
Natural Sciences Electives 4
Economics Requirement 3
Advised Elective I 3 3
GEP Elective 3
ÌýHours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
±Ê³ÛÌý205
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
or Conceptual Physics
or College Physics I
4
³§°ÕÌý311 Introduction to Statistics 3
Environmental Law and Policy Electives 3
Focal Area I 2 3
Free Elective 3
ÌýHours16
Spring Semester
·¡³§Ìý300 Energy and Environment 1 3
Sciences Electives 4
Analytical Skills Electives 3
Focal Area II 2 3
Communications Requirement 3
ÌýHours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Focal Area III 2 3
Free Elective 3
Advised Elective II 3 3
Focal Area IV 2 3
External Learning Experience 3
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
·¡³§Ìý400 Analysis of Environmental Issues 1 3
Focal Area V 2 3
400-level Advised Elective 3 3
GEP Humanities 3
Free Elective 2 1
ÌýHours13
ÌýTotal Hours120
1

Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

2

See adviser to determine a relevant focal area and related course selections.

3

Advised Electives (9 credit hours) are to be selected in consultation with your adviser and need to focus on Environmental Science. At least 6 hours must be at the 400-level or above.

Career Opportunities

The Environmental Sciences program provides opportunities for students to rigorously explore complex, interdisciplinary environmental issues by combining courses from a number of NC State colleges to create a thorough interdisciplinary grounding. All degree options encourage students to pursue original research and gain field experience tackling real-world challenges — leaving them well prepared to take advantage of career opportunities once they graduate.​Ìý ​Some graduates find jobs in the environmental industry, including careers as environmental consultants, working in large corporations, or starting their own businesses. Others find careers working in federal, state, and local agencies with environmental mandates. Still others continue their educations in professional and graduate schools.​ÌýÌý

Career Titles

  • Agricultural Technician
  • Atmospheric and Space Scientist
  • Biochemist
  • Biologist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Chemist
  • Chief Sustainability Officers
  • Climate Change Policy Analysts
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Compliance Inspector
  • Environmental Disease Analyst
  • Environmental Economists
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Research Analyst
  • Environmental Restoration Planners
  • Environmental Science and Protection Technician
  • Environmental Science Professor
  • Environmental Technician
  • Forest and Conservation Technician
  • Forest and Conservation Workers
  • Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialist
  • Forester
  • Geographer
  • Geologist
  • Geophysicist
  • Hazardous Waste Management Analyst
  • Hydrographer
  • Hydrologist
  • Industrial Air Pollution Analyst
  • Industrial Ecologists
  • Industrial Waste Inspector
  • Landfill Inspectors
  • Medical Equipment Technician
  • Microbiologist
  • Park Naturalist
  • Seismologist
  • Soil Conservation Technician
  • Soil Scientist
  • Urban and Regional Planner
  • Water Pollution Control Inspector
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Zoologist

Learn More About Careers


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(Available to prospective students)
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