Nov 21, 2024

2021-2022 University of Wyoming Catalog

2021-2022 University of Wyoming Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Systems Science, B.S.

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Environmental Systems Science (ESS) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree in environmental science, focusing on the interactions between the various components of Earth and environmental systems, including the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and anthrosphere.

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

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

Students earning a B.S. degree in ESS complete coursework including:

23+ Credit Hours of Foundations Courses:

Intro to Systems Science

ESS 1000 - Wyoming in the Earth System Credits: 3

Foundation of Biological Sciences

(Choose one course):

Foundation of Earth Sciences

(Choose one course):

ENR 1500 - Water, Dirt, and Earth’s Environment Credits: 4
GEOL 1500 - Water, Dirt, and Earth’s Environment Credits: 4
GEOG 1010 - Introduction to Physical Geography Credits: 4
GEOL 1100 - Physical Geology Credits: 4

Foundation of Physical Sciences

(Complete all courses):

CHEM 1020 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
PHYS 1110 - General Physics I Credits: 4
ESS 2000 - Geochemical Cycles and the Earth System Credits: 4
OR
GEOL 2000 - Geochemical Cycles and the Earth System Credits: 4

15+ Credit Hours of Spheres Courses:

Anthrosphere

(Choose one course):

ENR 4030 - Ecology of Knowledge Credits: 3
AMST 4030 - Ecology of Knowledge Credits: 3
ENR 4310 - Environmental Anthropology Credits: 3
ANTH 4310 - Environmental Anthropology Credits: 3
ENR 4040 - Conservation of Natural Resources Credits: 3
GEOG 4040 - Conservation of Natural Resources Credits: 3
ENR 4412 - Global Environment History Credits: 3
HIST 4412 - Global Environment History Credits: 3
ENR 3950 - Environmental Sociology Credits: 3
SOC 3950 - Environmental Sociology Credits: 3
GEOG 3400 - Traditional Ecological Knowledge Credits: 3
NAIS 3400 - Traditional Ecological Knowledge Credits: 3
GEOG 3550 - Natural Hazards and Society Credits: 3
GEOL 3650 - Energy for Society: Addressing the Energy Grand Challenge Credits: 4

Atmosphere

(Choose one course):

ATSC 2100 - Global Warming: The Science of Humankinds’ Energy Consumption Impacting Climate Credits: 3
ATSC 2200 - Severe and Unusual Weather Credits: 3
ERS 3010 - Air Quality Management Credits: 3
ENR 3450 - Weather and Climate Credits: 3
GEOG 3450 - Weather and Climate Credits: 3
GEOG 4440 - Advanced Global Climate Variability Credits: 3

Biosphere

Must Complete all Three Courses

ENR 4010 - Winter Ecology: Skills of the Winter Naturalist Credits: 1
ENR 4011 - Winter Ecology: Snowpack Science and Dynamics Credits: 1
ENR 4012 - Winter Ecology: Wildlife and Plant Adaptations Credits: 1

OR Choose One Course:

ENR 2450 - Fish and Wildlife Management in the Anthropocene Credits: 4
ZOO 2450 - Fish and Wildlife Management in the Anthropocene Credits: 4
GEOG 4460 - Biogeography Credits: 3
LIFE 2022 - Animal Biology Credits: 4
LIFE 2023 - Biology of Plants and Fungi Credits: 4
LIFE 3400 - General Ecology Credits: 3
REWM 2000 - Principles of Rangeland Management Credits: 3
REWM 4200 - Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands Credits: 3
REWM 4440 - Applied Fire Ecology Credits: 3

Lithosphere - Environmental Change

(Choose one course):

ENR 3130 - Environmental Quality Credits: 3
SOIL 3130 - Environmental Quality Credits: 3
ENR 4430 - Green Chemistry and Global Environmental Problems Credits: 3
CE 4430 - Green Chemistry and Global Environmental Problems Credits: 3
ESS 3480 - Environmental Change Credits: 3
GEOG 3480 - Environmental Change Credits: 3
GEOL 3500 - Global Change: A Geological Perspective Credits: 4

Lithosphere - Hydrology & Surface Processes

(Choose one course):

ENR 4285 - Wildland Hydrology Credits: 3
REWM 4285 - Wildland Hydrology Credits: 3
GEOG 3010 - Geomorphology of Earth’s Dynamic Landscapes Credits: 3
GEOL 3400 - Geologic Hazards: A Historical and Scientific Review Credits: 4
REWM 4700 - Wildland Watershed Management Credits: 3
REWM 4710 - Watershed Water Quality Management Credits: 3

14+ Credit Hours of Skills & Tools Courses:

Statistics

(Choose one course):

STAT 2050 - Fundamentals of Statistics Credits: 4
STAT 2070 - Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences Credits: 4

Data Analysis

(Choose one course):

ENR 4525 - Environmental Data Analysis Credits: 4
GEOL 4525 - Environmental Data Analysis Credits: 4
ESS 4001 - Analysis of Nature’s Data Credits: 3
GEOL 3250 - Geosciences and Computers Credits: 4
STAT 3050 - Statistical Methods Credits: 3
ZOO 4400 - Population Ecology Credits: 3

GIS/Remote Sensing

(Choose one course):

GIST 1200 - Geospatial Foundations Credits: 3
GIST 2310 - Intro to Geographic Information Systems Credits: 4
GIST 2140 - Survey of Remote Sensing Applications Credits: 3
GIST 2150 - Introduction to Programming in Geospatial Information Science and Technology Credits: 3
GIST 4130 - Applied Remote Sensing for Agricultural Management Credits: 3
RNEW 4130 - Applied Remote Sensing for Agricultural Management Credits: 3

Applied Experience (1 credit)

ESS 4970 - Internship in Earth System Science Credits: 1-6

Capstone

ESS 4950 - Exploring the Earth System Credits: 3

18+ Credit Hours in an Approved Minor

18+ credit hours in an approved minor* or concurrent major as an area of specialization: Agroecology, Anthropology, Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Environment & Natural Resources, Geography, Geology, Insect Biology, Land Surveying, Paleoenviron¬mental Studies, Physics, Rangeland Ecology & Watershed Management, Reclamation & Restoration Ecology, 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:

U.S. Diversity (choose one)
Global Awareness (choose one)

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.