Eastern Michigan University

Core Courses

The required courses and their credit hours are:

  • ENVI 105 Introduction to Environment and Society* 3 CH
  • BIO/ESSC 107 Introduction to Environmental Science* 3 CH
  • PHIL 229 Environmental Ethics* 3 CH
  • One biology course, either
    • BIOL 110 Introductory Biology I*° 5 CH or
    • BIOL 226 Global Ecology & the Environment 3 CH
  • One chemistry course, either
    • CHEM 121 and 122 General Chemistry I and Lab*° 4 CH or
    • CHEM 115 and 116 Chemistry and Society and Lab 4 CH
  • One earth science course, either
    • ESSC 110 The Dynamic Earth System*° 4 CH or
    • ESSC 108 and 109 Earth Science for Non-Majors and Lab 4 CH
  • GEOG 276 Principles of Geographic Information Systems 3 CH
  • MATH 170 Elementary Statistics 3 CH

Courses marked with ° denote required courses for the Environmental Science concentration. Several of the required core courses (marked with * above) also count toward various areas in the general education program. Consult the list of approved courses for the Gen. Ed. Program for details.

The following two courses are required for all majors, but have to be taken AFTER completion of the other required core courses listed above. Your program adviser will give you the permission to register for these courses:

ENVI 305W Topics in Environmental Science and Society 3 CH.

The course bridges the sciences and society and looks at key issues, such as ‘water use’ or ‘energy’ from various perspectives. The course fulfills the Intensive Writing requirement of the Gen. Ed. program.

ENVI 405 Capstone Experience 3CH

The Capstone Course is an internship experience in an organization involved in environmental issues (such as a non-profit organization or a local government unit), accompanied by a weekly 1-hour seminar for one semester. A suitable study abroad or research experience can also count. Students are required to organize a relevant internship experience for their senior year in consultation with an IESS adviser.