About the Program

The environmental science minor is designed to provide a broad base of knowledge in the various natural science disciplines that compose environmental science. The minor gives students the background necessary to understand and evaluate complex environmental issues. The program also provides a basic understanding of the interrelationships of the physical, biological, and human dimensions of the environment.

About the Geosciences Department

160 Science and Math Complex
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6731
Fax: (716) 878-4009
https://geosciences.buffalostate.edu/

Program Requirements

Required Courses (21-23 credit hours)
Biology (3-4 credit hours)
BIO 104 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY (3-4)
or BIO 213 INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND BEHAVIOR

Physical Environment (3 credit hours)
GEG 101 WORLD NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
or GES 101 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY

Seminar (3 credit hours) 3
ENS 300 ENVIRONMENTAL CASE STUDIES

Society and Policy (3 credit hours) 3
Select one from the following:
ANT 367 CULTURE AND ECOLOGY
ECO 355 THE ECONOMICS OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
HIS 330 U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY
PSC 305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PSY 370 ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY I
SOC 353 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

Human Impact in the Environment (3 credit hours) 3
Select one from the following:
ENS 100 URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
GES 123 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE
SCI 231 POLLUTION, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND SOCIETY

Environmental Science (6-7 credit hours) 6-7
Select two from the following: 1
BIO 315 ECOLOGY (4)
CHE 315 ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY
GEG 307 CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
GEG 365 SOIL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
GEG 375 PRINCIPLES OF HYDROLOGY
GEG 386 WEATHER AND SOCIETY
GEG 421 WATERSHED ANALYSIS
GEG 478 GLOBAL CHANGE
GES 350 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
GES 452 HYDROGEOLOGY
GES 460 ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD METHODS

Total Credit Hours 21-23
1
In this category, students may also choose one environmentally related internship (488), independent project (495), or independent study (499) in one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Science Education, Geography and Planning.