Learning Outcomes 

1. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of fundamental concepts in environmental sciences in ENVR 201 and ENVR 202.
2. When presented with a scientific question or hypothesis, students will be able to form an appropriate research plan and identify sources of error in resulting data or analyses.
3. Students will demonstrate strong analytical writing skills.
4. Students will demonstrate strong oral communication skills.

Admission, Progression and Transfer Standards

1. Any student applying for transfer to the environmental science major from other programs within the University, or from accredited colleges and universities, is required to have a minimum grade point average of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale.
2. Environmental Science majors may enroll in an environmental science course a maximum of two times to earn the required grade of C or higher. For the purposes of this standard of progression, withdrawal with a W does not constitute enrollment.

Special Opportunities

The major endorses the use of independent study courses to further students’ intellectual pursuits in alternative ways. Before students may register for an independent study course, they must submit a completed independent study contract which has been approved by the major advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. (No student may apply more than 6 hours of independent study credits toward the degree). A grade-point average of 2.5 or greater is required to enroll in independent study courses.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:

1. Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
2. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.

Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, Cardiovascular Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics, Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.

Degree Requirements (128 hours)

Program of Study

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

1. Carolina Core Requirements (32-46 hours)

CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher​

• ENGL 101*
• ENGL 102*

ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-8 hours)   

must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

• MATH 141* or MATH 122*
• MATH 142*,  MATH 170*, MATH 172* or MATH 174*

SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)

• BIOL 101* & BIOL 101L* or MSCI 101*
• BIOL 102* & BIOL 102L* or MSCI 102*

Note: Must take either both BIOL or both MSCI.

GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language  (0-6 hours)

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

• CC-GFL courses

​It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

GHS – ​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)

• any CC-GHS course

GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours) 

• Any CC-GSS course. POLI 201* is strongly suggested.

AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

• any CC-AIU course

CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component¹ (0-3 hours)

• any overlay or stand-alone CC-CMS course

INF – Information Literacy¹ (0-3 hours)

• any overlay or stand-alone CC-INF course

VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility¹ (0-3 hours)

• fulfilled through POLI 201*, an overlay course with GSS, or may be filled by any overlay or stand-alone CC-VSR course

2. College Requirements (15-18 hours)

Foreign Language (0-3 hours) 

• only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency

Analytical Reasoning (6 hours)

Note: Courses used to fulfill the College requirements may not also be used to fulfill other degree requirements.

History (3 hours) 

The College of Arts and Sciences requires one additional GHS course beyond the Carolina Core GHS requirement. 

• If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course.
• If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a U.S. history course. 

Please select the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement from the approved list of U.S. and non-U.S. history courses.

Social Science (3 hours)

• Any CC-GSS course

Fine Arts or Humanities (3 hours)

• A Bachelor of Science from the College of Arts and Sciences requires one 3-hour Fine Arts/Humanities Course

3. Program Requirements (29-51 hours)

Supporting Courses (16 hours)

¹

Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

Cognate or Minor (0-18 hours) optional

This major does not require a cognate or minor.

An optional minor may be added to a student’s program of study. A minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University. A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z. An optional additional major may also be added to a student’s program of study. Additional majors must include all major courses as well as any prescribed courses noted (*) in the bulletin.  Prescribed courses noted in the bulletin may be shared with Carolina Core, College requirements, and Program requirements in the primary program.

A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z.

Electives (0-35 hours)

120 (or 128) degree applicable credits are required to complete any degree at USC. After the cognate, minor or second major is complete, any additional credits needed to reach 120 (or 128) total credits can be fulfilled by electives. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.

4. Major Requirements (30-35 hours)

A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.

Major Courses (17-20 hours)

All majors must complete at least 30-35 hours of approved courses which must include the core requirements of 17-20 hours. Majors must complete 13-15 additional hours in major elective courses or a concentration to bring them to the required 30-35 hours total. Students are required to develop a program of study in consultation with their advisor. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses used to fulfill major requirements. Any modifications to the program of study require the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Major Electives (13-15 hours)

Students, in consultation with their assigned advisor, must develop a program of study which either provides a broad set environmental science courses chosen from the list below or allows students to focus in a defined area within the concentrations that follow. All students' elective courses should include at least 6 hours taken at the 400 level or above.  

Concentrations (13-15 hours)

Conservation & Ecology Concentration (13-15 hours)

Climate & Energy Concentration (13-15 hours)

Water & Coasts Concentration (13-15 hours)

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Environmental Science, B.S.

Environmental Science, B.S. Climate & Energy Concentration 

Environmental Science, B.S. Conservation & Ecology Concentration

Environmental Science, B.S. Water & Coasts Concentration 

Environmental Science, B.S.

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA. 

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. 

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

⁴

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. 

⁵

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses.  Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. 

⁶

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses.  Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. 

⁷

Environmental Science Major Courses (22-27 hours):

• Interdisciplinary Breadth Requirement (7-8 hours): students must choose 2 categories from below:
  • Geography Category: GEOG 202 or GEOL 335
  • Geology Category: GEOL 310 or GEOL 315
  • Biology/ENHS Category: BIOL 301 OR ENHS 660
• Culminating Experience (2-4 hours): students must choose one of the following: ENVR 480; ENVR 460 or MSCI 460; any 500+ level major elective course, or ENVR/GEOL/MSCI 495.
• Major Electives (13-15 hours): students, in consultation with their advisor, must develop a program of study which either provides a broad set environmental science courses or allows students to focus in a defined areas within a concentration. For a list of acceptable major course electives, please visit the Bulletin. 

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• Environmental Science majors may enroll in a major course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher.  For the purposes of progression, withdrawal with a W does not constitute enrollment.
• The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia. 

Environmental Science, B.S. Climate & Energy Concentration  

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA. 

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses.  

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

⁴

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. 

⁵

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses.  Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. 

⁶

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses.  Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. 

⁷

Environmental Science Major Courses (22-27 hours): 

• Interdisciplinary Breadth Requirement (7-8 hours): students must choose 2 categories from below:
  • Geography Category: GEOG 202 or GEOL 335
  • Geology Category: GEOL 310 or GEOL 315
  • Biology/ENHS Category: BIOL 301 OR ENHS 660
• Culminating Experience (2-4 hours): students must choose one of the following: ENVR 480; ENVR 460 or MSCI 460; any 500+ level major elective course, or ENVR/GEOL/MSCI 495.
• Concentration course (13-15 hours):
  • Science Concepts (10-12 hours): ENVR 316, 352, 504; GEOG 202, 321, 365, 567; GEOL 302, 305, 335; ECHE 573
  • Environment & Society (3 hours): GEOG 517, 346, 568; ENVR 348, 540; POLI 478. 

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• Environmental Science majors may enroll in a major course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher.  For the purposes of progression, withdrawal with a W does not constitute enrollment.
• The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia. 

Environmental Science, B.S. Conservation & Ecology Concentration 

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA. 

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. 

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

⁴

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score.

⁵

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses.  Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. 

⁶

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses.  Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. 

⁷

Environmental Science Major Courses (22-27 hours):

• Interdisciplinary Breadth Requirement (7-8 hours): students must choose 2 categories from below:
  • Geography Category: GEOG 202 or GEOL 335
  • Geology Category: GEOL 310 or GEOL 315
  • Biology/ENHS Category: BIOL 301 OR ENHS 660
• Culminating Experience (2-4 hours): students must choose one of the following: ENVR 480; ENVR 460 or MSCI 460; any 500+ level major elective course, or ENVR/GEOL/MSCI 495.
• Concentration course (13-15 hours):
  • Science Concepts (10-12 hours): BIOL 301, 301L, 420, 510, 526, 527, 528, 534, 536, 537, 538, 570, 571, 572, 574, 599; ENVR 316; MSCI 311, 575, 577, 578; GEOG 348
  • Environment & Society (3 hours): ENVR 322, 331, 517, 534, 538, 540; GEOG 370, 516, 566, 570; MSCI 390; POLI 478 

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• Environmental Science majors may enroll in a major course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher.  For the purposes of progression, withdrawal with a W does not constitute enrollment.
• The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia. 

Environmental Science, B.S. Water & Coasts Concentration 

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA. 

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses.

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

⁴

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. 

⁵

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses.  Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. 

⁶

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses.  Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. 

⁷

Environmental Science Major Courses (22-27 hours):

• Interdisciplinary Breadth Requirement (7-8 hours): students must choose 2 categories from below:
  • Geography Category: GEOG 202 or GEOL 335
  • Geology Category: GEOL 310 or GEOL 315
  • Biology/ENHS Category: BIOL 301 OR ENHS 660
• Culminating Experience (2-4 hours): students must choose one of the following: ENVR 480; ENVR 460 or MSCI 460; any 500+ level major elective course, or ENVR/GEOL/MSCI 495.
• Concentration course (13-15 hours):
  • Science Concepts (10-12 hours): GEOL 315, 325, 371, 501, 570; GEOG 347, 547, 549; ECIV 350, 360, 362; ENHS 321, 660; ENVR 316
  • Environment & Society (3 hours): ENVR 348, 517, 534; GEOG 321, 346, 516, 530; MSCI 390; POLI 478 

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• Environmental Science majors may enroll in a major course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher.  For the purposes of progression, withdrawal with a W does not constitute enrollment.
• The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia.