Main Page Content

Environmental Science

Lennon Hall
(585) 395-5975
jmakarew@brockport.edu

Interim Director: Joseph C. Makarewicz; Faculty: Whitney J. Autin (Earth Sciences), Patricia M. Harris (Biology), James M. Haynes (Biology), John C. Hunter (Biology), Jose A. Maliekal (Earth Sciences), Judy A. Massare (Earth Sciences), Mark R. Noll (Earth Sciences), Christopher J. Norment (Biology), Scott M. Rochette (Earth Sciences), James A. Zollweg (Earth Sciences), Mark P. Heitz (Chemistry), Markus M. Hoffman (Chemistry), Thomas W. Kallen (Chemistry), J. Emory Morris (Chemistry), Kenneth D. Schlecht (Chemistry); Adjunct Professors: Theodore Lewis, David MacNeil, Chuck O'Neil; Secretary: Deborah Dilker.

Environmental problems are among the most urgent issues facing our civilization. In order to manage Earth's environment effectively, we must understand the processes that shape the Earth's surface, control the chemistry of our air and water, and produce the resources on which we depend. Four concentrations are offered within the Environmental Science major: Aquatic Ecology/Biology, Terrestrial Ecology/Biology, Environmental Chemistry, and Earth Sciences. For non-majors, a minor in Environmental Studies is also offered through the Department of Biological Sciences. Upon declaring a major in Environmental Sciences, with the secretary in Room 103 Lennon Hall, a faculty advisor will be assigned.

Major Requirements

The Environmental Science Major requires a minimum of 58-59 credits balanced between the specific courses of the core curriculum (38 credits) and the selected courses of the area of concentration (20-21 credits).

Course Number Course Name Credits
Core Courses (Required Courses)
BIO 201 & 202 Biology 8
BIO 303 Ecology 4
CHM 205 & 206 College Chemistry I & II 8
CHM 303 Analytical Chemistry I 4
MTH 201 Calculus I 3
TBA Environmental Law or Regulations 3
GEL 101 Our Earth, ESC 211 Weather 8
Total Required 38

Concentrations (Required or elective courses) Corequisite 1 Corequisite 2
Aquatic Ecology/Biology 20 4
Terrestrial Ecology/Biology 20 4
Earth Science 20 0
Environmental Chemistry 21 14
Electives 20-21 0-14
Total 58-59 0-14

Course Number Course Name Credits
*Required Course
EOY = Every other year
Concentration in Aquatic Ecology
Electives (20 credits) are chosen with an advisor.
Fall Semester
BIO 319 Biol. Oceanography 3
BIO 419 Limnology* 3
BIO 421 Limnology Laboratory* 2
BIO 484 Fish Ecology 3
BIO 490 Fishery Techniques 2
BIO 457 Marine Biology Bahamas 3
ESC 412 Hydrology 3
Spring Semester
BIO 42 Population Biology 3
BIO 423 Pollution Biology 3
BIO 436 Water Quality Analysis 4
BIO 437 Biological Investigation and Data Interpretation 3
BIO 439 Conservation Biology 4
BIO 483 Aquatic Invertebrates (EOY) 3
GEL 462 Groundwater 3
BIO 424 Experimental Research 1-3
Corequisite Course Summer
CHM 305 Organic Chemistry I 4
BIO 488 Env. Impact Analysis 6
Concentration in Terrestrial Ecology
Electives (20 credits) are chosen with an advisor.
Fall Semester
BIO 400 Plant Taxonomy 4
BIO 427 Animal Behavior 4
BIO 459 Mammalogy 4
ESC 455 Soil Science 3
Spring Semester
BIO 439 Conservation Biology 3
BIO 422 Population Biology 3
BIO 423 Pollution Biology 3
BIO 437 Biological Investigation and Data Interpretation 4
BIO 440 Herpetology (EOY) 4
BIO 430 Ornithology (EOY) 4
BIO 424 Experimental Research 1-3
ESC 413 Env. Climatology 3
Corequisite Course Summer
CHM 305 Organic Chemistry I 4
BIO 488 Env. Impact Analysis 6
BIO 477 Field Biology 4
Concentration in Environmental Chemistry
(21 creditsall courses are required).
Fall Semester
CHM 305 Organic Chemistry I 4
CHM 400 Chemistry Seminar 0
CHM 301 Chemical Safety 1
CHM 405 Physical Chemistry I 3
CHM 408 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I 1
Spring Semester
CHM 306 Organic Chemistry II 4
CHM 401 Chemistry Seminar 1
CHM 4XX Environmental Chemistry* 3
CHM 406 Physical Chemistry II 3
CHM 409 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II 1
Corequisite Courses (14 credits)
MTH 202 Calculus II 3
PHS 201 College Physics I 4
MTH 203 Calculus III 3
PHS 202 College Physics II 4
Concentration in Earth Sciences
Electives (20 credits) are chosen with an advisor.
Fall Semester
ESC 311 Synoptic Meteorology 4
ESC 364 Water Resource Issues 3
ESC 411 Hydrology Laboratory 1
ESC 412 Hydrology 3
ESC 430 Geographical Information Systems 3
ESC 455 Soil Sciences 3
ESC 464 Environmental Internship 1-3
ESC 499 Independent Study 1-3
Spring Semester
ESC 350 Computational Methods* 3
ESC 413 Environmental Climatology 3
ESC 414 Climate Laboratory 1
ESC 418 Watershed Management 3
GEL 415 Geomorphology 3
ESC 420 Atmospheric Sensing Methods 3
ESC 421 Air Pollution 3
GEL 462 Groundwater 3
GEL 463 Environmental Geology 3
Summer
ESC 427 Hazardous Waste
*Required Course

Last Updated 7/21/22