Environmental Science and Biology

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Environmental Science and Biology

105 Lennon Hall
(585) 395-5975
E-mail: jhaynes@brockport.edu

• Requirements
• Aquatic Ecology/Biology
• Terrestrial Ecology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Courses

Chairperson and Professor: James M. Haynes; Distinguished Service Professor: Joseph C. Makarewicz; Professor: Christopher J. Norment; Assistant Professor: Mark D. Norris; Instructional Support Associate: Hilary L. Richardson; Environmental Science Program Faculty: Whitney J. Autin, Jose A Maliekal, Judy A. Massare, Mark R. Noll, Paul L. Richards, Stephen W. Weinbeck, James A. Zollweg (Earth Sciences); Mark P. Heitz, Markus M. Hoffmann, Thomas W. Kallen, Margaret E. Logan, J. Emory Morris, Kenneth D. Schlecht (Chemistry); James M. Valenti (Criminal Justice); Adjunct Faculty: Theodore W. Lewis, Research Associate and Charles P. O’Neill (New York Sea Grant Institute).

Environmental problems are among the most urgent issues facing our civilization. In order to manage Earth’s environment well, we must understand the processes that shape its surface, control the chemistry of our air, water, and soil, and produce the biological and other resources upon which humans depend. Ecology is the study of animals, plants and other living organisms and their interactions with the physical and chemical environment. Through a curriculum with a common core and a focused track, environmental science majors develop conceptual and technical knowledge and skills for using the disciplines of ecology, chemistry and the earth sciences to understand and solve environmental problems. Four concentrations are offered in the environmental science major: aquatic ecology/biology, terrestrial ecology/biology, environmental chemistry, and the earth sciences. After declaring a major in environmental science with the department secretary located in 105 Lennon Hall, (585)395-5975 , a faculty advisor in the selected track will be assigned.

Minors in Environmental Science and in Environmental Studies are offered for non-majors (see below). Contact the department secretary in 105 Lennon Hall, (585)395-5975, for information and for an appointment with the department chairperson to set up an individual course of study.

Major Requirements
The major requires a minimum of 62-73 credits balanced between required courses in the core curriculum (38 credits) and required, elective, or co-requisite courses in the area of concentration (24-36 credits).

Core Courses (required of all majors)

^Required for environmental chemistry track
*Other tracks: choose one

Concentration in Aquatic Ecology/Biology

Concentration in Terrestrial Ecology

Concentration in Environmental Chemistry

Concentration in Earth Sciences

Environmental Minors-Environmental Science/Environmental Studies
The environmental science minor(18 credits) prepares students for postgraduate education or employment in environmentally related fields. To ensure maximum breadth and depth of training, the schedule of elective courses for the minor in environmental science must be in disciplines other than the student's own major and be formally developed with the dpartment chairperson.

*Biological sciences majors are required to take CHM 303 Analytical Chemistry as one elective course.

The environmental studies minor (18 credits) offers students a variety of scientific, social, economic, political, and literary perspectives on environmental issues. Gaining these perspectives will help students become environmentally literate citizens and employees.

Environmental Science and Biology Courses