Environmental Science and Policy (BS)

Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) is an interdisciplinary program designed to explore and understand the effects of humans on the Earth’s ecosystems, biodiversity, processes, and how changes to our planet affect humans. We examine past, current, and future environmental issues through a hands-on, minds-on approach that incorporates extensive outdoor and project-based learning experiences.  Through a comprehensive core curriculum, students develop deep, applied understanding of the science of environmental issues and policy-based approaches to resolving them. The ESP program promotes engagement with off-campus partners (ex: federal and state agencies, non-governmental environmental stewardship groups) through class projects and customized student research and/or internship experiences. Collectively the ESP program provides students a springboard toward environmental careers within governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, consulting firms, and the pursuit of graduate education.

Students customize their experience in the program by pursuing one of two program options: Policy and Planning or Science. Specialized courses distinguish each option. Both options lead to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

  • Policy and Planning: courses focus on regulatory and human behavior approaches to environmental challenges.
  • Science: courses focus on measuring, monitoring and surveying the natural world to identify and understand mechanistic drivers of environmental problems.

All students pursuing a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Policy will complete a core set of interdisciplinary courses. In addition, students will pursue a focused suite of courses that correspond to one of two program options: Policy and Planning or Science. Students are required to declare an option when joining the Environmental Science and Policy program, but the choice can be revised during pursuit of the degree.
Depending on a student’s Math Placement Level*, preparatory courses may need to be taken prior to registering for MA 1800 College Algebra (math requirement for Policy and Planning option) or Precalculus (math requirement for the Science option).
*Math level is determined through the Math Placement Assessment required for all students. https://www.plymouth.edu/mathematics/math-placement-assessment).

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
ESP 1500Introduction to Field Techniques3
ESP 2100Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I4
ESP 2110Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II4
ESP 2305Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO)4
ESP 3200Energy and Society3
ESP 3325Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO,INCO,INCP)3
ESP 3335Environmental Geology (TECO)4
ESP 4550Environmental Science and Policy Seminar (WRCO)4
ESP3000/4000 level electives in ESP/EPL/GE/SU minimum of 3 credits in ESP9
BI 3240Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP)3
GE 2050GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)4
or CS 2010 Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
or CS 2400 Scientific Programming
or CS 2521 Introduction to Electromechanical Technology
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
MA 2300Statistics I (QRCO) (Quantitative Reasoning in the Discipline Connection)3
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 13-4
WECOWellness Connection3-4
Required Options in this Major
Complete one option:45-49
Science Option
Policy and Planning Option
Total Credits120

Complementary Courses

Students pursuing the Environmental Science and Policy degree are encouraged to consider an undergraduate research project, an internship, a GIS Certificate, or one or more minors. Free electives and up to 2 courses in the ESP major can be used to fulfill requirements in a minor such as Chemistry, Sustainability, Biology or Business, among others.

 
 
 

1Directions in this major should total a minimum of 16 credits, excluding SIDI which is waived. Students who choose all 4-credit Directions courses can satisfy this Gen Ed requirement with 4 courses, total. Choosing any one 3-credit Directions course will necessitate at least 5 Directions courses to reach the 16 credit minimum.

Science Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Course Title Credits
Environmental Science Option Requirements
CH 2335General Chemistry I (QRCO)4
ESP 3310Hydrology4
CH 2340General Chemistry II4
or PH 2210
PH 2430
Physics I
and Physics Laboratory I
Science Elective
Complete one course from the following:3-4
Advanced Conservation Ecology
BI
3000/4000 level Biology course
General Education: Math Foundation Choose one
MA 2130Precalculus (QRCO)4
or MA 2550 Calculus I (QRCO)
Total Credits19-20

Policy and Planning Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Course Title Credits
Environmental Policy and Planning Option Requirements
EPL 2105Community Planning4
ESP 3340Introduction to Ecological Economics3
or SU 3115 Economic and Ecological Sustainability (GACO,QRCO)
ESP 4305Land Conservation Techniques4
ESP 4325Decision Making in Environmental Management4
Policy and Planning Electives
Complete one course from the following:3-4
Special Topics in Environmental Policy
Special Topics in Environmental Science
Hydrology
Environment and Health (WECO)
Food Systems: Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Modern Agriculture (DICO,WECO)
Natural Hazards: Science and Policy
Advanced Conservation Ecology
Environmental Planning
Environment and Society (INCO,INCP)
Methods of Social Research (TECO)
Land Use Law and Development
Public Administration (DICO)
Political Analysis and Policy (WRCO)
General Chemistry I (QRCO)
General Chemistry II
Physics I
BI
3000/4000 level Biology course
General Education: Math Foundation
MA 1800College Algebra3
Total Credits21-22

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Not all courses are offered every year. The course sequences listed below are recommendations only. Many required science courses have as a prerequisite Algebra or a Math Assessment score of 2 or higher. The Math Foundation for the Science Option has prerequisite of Pre-Calculus or a Math Assessment score of 3 or higher. 

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Policy and Planning Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
MA 1800 College Algebra 3
ESP 1500 Introduction to Field Techniques 3
ESP 2100 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I 4
ESP 2110 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II 4
EPL 2105 Community Planning 4
GE 2050
GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)
or Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
or Scientific Programming
or Introduction to Electromechanical Technology
4
Elective 1-2
 Credits31-32
Year Two
ESP 3335 Environmental Geology (TECO) 3 4
ESP 2305 Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO) 4
MA 2300 Statistics I (QRCO) 3
BI 3240 Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP) 2 3
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
Elective 3-7
ESP 3325 Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO,INCO,INCP) 3
 Credits32-40
Year Three
ESP 3200 Energy and Society 3
ESP 3340
Introduction to Ecological Economics
or Economic and Ecological Sustainability (GACO,QRCO)
3
ESP3000/4000 level ESP/EPL/GE/SU elective 3
Complete one Policy and Planning Elective 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 1 4-8
Elective 0-3
 Credits16-24
Year Four
ESP 4305 Land Conservation Techniques 4
ESP 4550 Environmental Science and Policy Seminar (WRCO) 4
ESP 4325 Decision Making in Environmental Management 4
ESP3000/4000 level ESP/EPL/GE/SU elective 4
Electives 16
 Credits32
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Environmental Science and Policy, Policy Option.

2

For all students who have completed ESP 2100.

3

For all students who have completed ESP 3335.

Science Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
ESP 1500 Introduction to Field Techniques 3
MA 2550
Calculus I (QRCO)
or College Algebra and Precalculus (QRCO)
4
ESP 2100 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I 4
ESP 2110 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II 4
CH 2335 General Chemistry I (QRCO) 1 4
CH 2340
General Chemistry II 1
or Physics I and Physics Laboratory I
4
GE 2050
GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)
or Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
or Scientific Programming
or Introduction to Electromechanical Technology
4
 Credits35
Year Two
ESP 3335 Environmental Geology (TECO) 4
ESP 2305 Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO) 4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
MA 2300 Statistics I (QRCO) 3
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
Elective 6-8
 Credits23-27
Year Three
ESP 3200 Energy and Society 3
ESP 3310 Hydrology 4
ESP 3325 Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO,INCO,INCP) 3
ESP3000/4000 level Elective in ESP/EPL/GE/SU 3
BI 3240 Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP) 3
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 1 4-8
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
Elective 0-2
 Credits26-34
Year Four
ESP3000/4000 level elective in ESP/EPL/GE/SU 4
ESP 4550 Environmental Science and Policy Seminar (WRCO) 4
Complete one Science Elective from the following: 3-4
Advanced Conservation Ecology
BI
3000/4000 level Biology course
Electives 15-16
 Credits26-28
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Environmental Science and Policy, Policy Option.

  • Integrate natural and social science concepts, theories, and methods to address interdisciplinary environmental issues
  • Value, incorporate and practice diverse, inclusive perspectives on environmental issues
  • Demonstrate open, critical and systems thinking when evaluating and solving environmental problems
  • Work effectively within a team to understand and assess environmental systems, policies, and management plans
  • Identify and describe key environmental policy and regulations as they relate to environmental issues
  • Identify and incorporate stakeholders in local, state, and federal environmental issues
  • Integrate natural and social science methods to monitor, evaluate, and manage environmental systems
  • Understand the processes by which environmental policy and regulation is created and revised
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative environmental research and report findings to peers, environmental professionals (e.g. managers, policy makers), and public audiences
 

Air/Water Quality Manager, Chemical Technician, Environmental Impact Analyst, Air Pollution Analyst, Conservation Agent, Public Health Educator, Research Assistant, Environmental Lawyer, EPA Analyst or Statistician, Environmental Engineer, Soil Scientist, Forest Scientist, Park Ranger, Ocean Technician, Environmental Educator, Hydrogeologist, Environmental Consultant, Planner, Toxicologist, Hazardous Waste Manager, Journalist