Environmental Systems Science, B.S.

Degree Program Requirements

This major requires a minimum of 58 credits (primary) or 52 (concurrent), <variable> of which are upper-division credits. All undergraduate students in ESS complete their coursework in conjunction with another major or minor. See “18+ Credit Hours in an Approved Minor or Concurrent Major” section for more details. Students must satisfy USP requirements in accordance with their primary program. Additionally, students need a minimum of 120 total credits, including 42 upper-division credits to graduate from UW. 

University Studies Program

This degree requires that The University Studies Program 2015  requirements are met before graduation. Some of the courses required for this major fulfill USP requirements, but not all. Students should check their degree evaluations and consult with their assigned academic advisor to discuss their specific course plan.

• C 1 - Communication 1 Credits: 3
• C 2 - Communication 2 Credits: 3
• C 3 - Communication 3 Credits: 3
• Q - - Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 3
• PN - - Physical and Natural World (1) Credits: 3
• PN - - Physical and Natural World (2) Credits: 3
• H - - Human Culture (1) Credits: 3
• H - - Human Culture (2) Credits: 3
• V - - U.S. & WY Constitution Credits: 3
• FYS or USP Elective - - Any 3-credit hour of FYS or 3-credit hours of USP electives Credits: 3

Program Overview

Students earning a B.S. in Environmental Systems Science will:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of interdisciplinary perspective and integrative thinking,
   • understand physical and biological components of environmental systems, including the human component;
2. design, conduct, and interpret scientific investigations,
   • understand the ethics of scientific investigation,
   • demonstrate proficiency in data collection, statistical analysis, and use of information technology tools and modeling;
3. apply systems concepts to problems concerning environmental systems and their components, and construct conceptual and quantitative systems models;
4. examine spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal patterns in environmental systems, and use information technology tools to depict, project, and communicate such patterns.

17+ Credit Hours of Foundations Courses

15+ Credit Hours of Spheres Courses

Courses taken to satisfy one sphere cannot apply toward another.

16+ Credit Hours of Skills & Tools Courses

18+ Credit Hours in an Approved Minor or Concurrent Major

18+ credit hours in an approved* minor or concurrent major as an area of specialization: Agroecology, Agronomy, Anthropology, Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Environment & Natural Resources, Forest Resources, Geography, Geology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Horticulture, Insect Biology, Land Surveying, Paleoenvironmental Studies, Physics, Plant Protection, Rangeland Ecology & Watershed Management, Reclamation & Restoration Ecology, Secondary Earth Science Education, Soil Science, Statistics, Sustainability, Wildlife & Fisheries Biology & Management, or Zoology

* other options available; subject to advisor approval

6+ Credit Hours of Haub School Requirements Courses

• Students earning a B.S. in ESS with their degree awarded from the Haub School must additionally complete 6 credit hours of Haub School Requirements:

  1. U.S. Diversity (choose one course)

  2. Global Awareness (choose one course)

Additional Requirements

Students complete additional credit hours in consultation with advisor if needed to meet minimum 120 credits, including 42 upper division credits, to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming.

Additionally, students must:

• earn a C or better in all courses fulfilling program requirements - in­cluding Haub School U.S. Diversity and Global Awareness courses, and degree, major, and/or minor courses;
• earn 12 credits unique to each program when enrolled in multiple Haub School programs;
• meet University of Wyoming requirements for earning a bachelor’s degree, including, but not limited to, completion of University Studies Program and maintaining minimum 2.0 GPA for good academic standing and graduation.