DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Environmental Science Major | Environmental Science Minor | Course Descriptions

CHAIR: Monte L. Thies

FACULTY: Bagdonas, J. Cook, T. Cook, DeShaw, Dewees, Foerster, Hudson, Lutterschmidt, Neudorf, Thies, Turner, J. Williams, E. Wilson, Wunch.

Biology, the study of living things, is an exciting and dynamic field that offers many areas of focus. Students may choose to study how life forms function at the molecular, cellular, organismal or ecological levels. The biological sciences provide opportunities to study viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals and to investigate the biochemical, physiological, anatomical, behavioral, or ecological processes that make each organism unique.

The Department of Biological Sciences is located in the Lee Drain Building, which houses facilities including teaching and research laboratories, the Warner Herbarium, Sam Houston State Vertebrate Museum and Texas Bird Sound Library, an animal rearing facility, greenhouse, outdoor aviary, and scanning electron microscopy, molecular, microbiology, and flow cytometry laboratories. The Department also owns and operates the Center for Biological Field Studies, a 250 acre field station within 5 miles of campus that is dedicated to biological and environmental research and teaching.

Major in Biology:  All students majoring in Biology will develop competence in the fundamental principles of biology and will gain experience in botany, zoology, cellular biology, microbiology, genetics, and ecology. Students take an active role in creating a degree plan that best meets their interests and their career goals. Most students pursue careers in terrestrial ecology, animal physiology, animal behavior, medical professions, biotechnology, or teacher education. Students interested in forensic science combine an extensive background in biology with substantial course work in chemistry and criminal justice to prepare them for work with state and federal agencies.

Major in Environmental Science: Environmental Science is an expanding field with many areas of concentration. Students may work in air quality, water quality, industrial hygiene, pollution management, wetland delineation, endangered species management, or environmental laws and policies.

Environmental Science Program

FACULTY: DeShaw, Thies

The Environmental Science Program provides the student with concepts, methods, and practical laboratory and field experience in air quality, wetland assessment, endangered species management, industrial hygiene, environmental policy, environmental pollution assessment and pollution control technology through a multidisciplinaryapproach. The program is designed to meet the demand for environmental scientists in government, industry, and consulting. The curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature with emphasis in the basic sciences. An academic minor field is not required under this curriculum. Core courses in the program stress technical and regulatory aspects of environmental quality. Opportunities are available for specialization in ecology, chemistry, geology, or geography.

Students gain practical experience in the field through either an independent research project or the internship program. The internship involves real-world work experience in an area of Environmental Science with government, industry, or a consulting firm. Academic credit is based on a written technical report and an oral presentation.

Scholarships: Academic scholarships are available from both the Department of Biological Sciences and the University to support students’ studies. Information on Departmental scholarships may be obtained by writing to Scholarships, Department of Biological Sciences, Box 2116, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2116 or by visiting our website. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website or by calling (936) 294-1672. Department of Biological Sciences Website.

REQUIRED COURSES FOR THE MAJOR

Environmental Science is currently offered only as Bachelor of Science degree program. As an interdisciplinary degree, the student must complete a required core group of classes in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. All majors are required to take the following courses in Environmental Science: BIO 137/117: ESC 330, 343, 430, 461 or 495, 410 and 411. Additional required foundation courses include BIO 161/111, 162/112; CHM 138/118, 139/119, 241, 238/218, 239/219, 440, 442; PHY 138/118, 139/119; GEL 133/113; BIO 433 or 340, and BIO 247 or 347, MTH 142, 143, and MTH/STA 379 or BIO 474 or MTH 274. Students may choose their restricted electives to meet their ultimate career goals; however, a minor in chemistry is strongly recommended.

* A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required for the Environmental Science degree.

A minor is not required but a minor in chemistry or biology is strongly recommended. Restricted Advanced Electives may be tailored to the specific career goals and needs of the student. ESC majors having a minor field and/or a second major field must choose their restricted electives courses from departments outside of these fields.

Recommended choices include AGR 344; BIO 364, 430,431, 433 or 340 (does not apply to major core), 474; CHM 348, 448; GEO 433, 434, 435, 442; GEL 330, 360, 440, 446; ESC 331, 332, 333 or 432.

Curriculum: Minor in Environmental Science

A minor in Environmental Science is available. Students in the minor are required to take BIO/ESC 137/117*, 330, 343, 430; CHM 138/118, 139/119, 241, 442; and BIO 247 or 347.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ESC 137 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. [Also listed as BIO 137; BIO 2306]. A general course designed to cover all areas relating to contemporary ecological problems. Topics include air, water, and soil pollution; radiation, limnology, climate, pesticides, wastes, and land conservation. Fall, Spring. Credit 3.

ESC 117 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LABORATORY. [Also listed as BIO 117; BIO 2106] Fall, Spring, Summer. Credit 1.

ESC 330 LEGAL ASPECTS OF POLLUTION CONTROL. A study comparing various state and federal laws with particular emphasis on the State of Texas statutes will be conducted. Nature of evidence for prosecution under these laws will be considered. Prerequisites: ESC 137/117, CHM 241, and junior standing. Fall. Credit 3.

ESC 331 ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION. A study of topics relating to public health and sanitation. The causative agents of human diseases of public health importance are characterized, and present knowledge of prevention and control of these diseases is reviewed. Prerequisites: (BIO 138/118, 139/119) or (BIO 161/111, 162/112), 247 OR 347, and eight hours of chemistry. Two-hour laboratory. Odd year Fall. Credit 3.

ESC 332 SOLID WASTES AND RECYCLING. A study of solid wastes and recycling pertaining to sources, storage, processing, economics, and legal issues involved. Physical and chemical components of wastes and waste processing and their environmental effects will be stressed. Prerequisites: (BIO 138/118, 139/119) or (BIO 161/111, 162/112), 247 or 347, ESC 330, GEL 133/113, and CHM 241. Odd year. Spring. Credit 3.

ESC 333 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. A study of industrial hygiene and occupational health and safety. This course will present the basics of industrial hygiene and work place monitoring. Emphasis will be on fundamentals of work place hazard recognition, techniques of evaluation, and methods of control. Prerequisites: (BIO 138/118, 139/119) or (BIO 161/111, 162/112), CHM 241, PHY 138/118, 139/119. Even year. Spring. Credit 3.

ESC 343 WATER SUPPLY AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL. Water supply, development, treatment and distribution; waste water collection and treatment; water purification and reuse; and the chemistry and ecology of aquatic systems are studied. Prerequisites: ESC 137/117, CHM 241, MTH 142 and junior standing. Two-hour laboratory. Fall. Credit 4.

ESC 410:411 UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR. Student discussions of current scientific literature in environmental science. Required of environmental science majors. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Fall, Spring. Credit 1 each.

ESC 430 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT. This course deals with the technicaland regulatory aspects of handling and disposing of toxic and hazardous wastes based on recently mandated legislation procedures. This course will educate current students in an area that is of major national concern and will update persons alreadyworking in the field of environmental science. Prerequisites: CHM 241, ESC 137/117, GEL 133/113, and junior standing. Spring. Credit 3.

ESC 432 ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY. (Also listed as BIO 432). This course presents basic toxicology as a qualitative and quantitative science of the effects of poisons (toxins) upon the environment, individuals, and populations. The course will also provide a comparison of the toxicology of human and other species’ exposure to common environmental contaminants. Prerequisite: (BIO 138/118, 139/119) or (BIO 161/111, 162/112), and 247 or 347; MTH 379 or BIO 474; 8 hours CHM. Two one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory/week. Even year Fall. Credit 3.

ESC 461 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE. A supervised off-campus intern work experience in an approved area of Environmental Science with industry, business, or government. This course provides the student with direct professional work experience with industry or governmental entity. Academic credit is based on a written technical report and an oral presentation. Prerequisite: 6 hours of advanced Environmental Science and approval of instructor. Summer. Credit 3.

ESC 495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. Individual study in specialized areas of Environment Science. To be directed and approved by the Environmental Science advisor. Credit 1, 2, or 3.