Environmental Science and Policy (BS)

Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) is an interdisciplinary program that explores the past, current, and future status of Earth’s ecosystems, biodiversity, and processes, and how changes to our planet affect humans. ESP courses include extensive outdoor, laboratory and project-based learning that trains students for early career jobs spanning many environmental disciplines. In the core curriculum, students develop broad, applied understanding of the science behind environmental issues and policy-based approaches to resolving them. In the major options (Science or Policy and Planning), students gain deeper, specialized knowledge that includes engagement with off-campus partners and opportunity for research and internships. An ESP degree provides a springboard toward careers and graduate education in forestry, geology, water resources, environmental health services, waste management, and sustainable food systems, among others.

Students customize their experience in the program by pursuing one of two program options: Policy and Planning or Science. Specialized courses distinguish each option. Both options lead to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

  • Policy and Planning: courses focus on regulatory and human behavior approaches to environmental challenges.
  • Science: courses focus on measuring, monitoring and surveying the natural world to identify and understand the mechanisms that cause environmental changes.

All students pursuing a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Policy complete the core courses. In addition, all students complete courses in either the Policy and Planning Option or the Science Option. Students must declare an Option when joining the Environmental Science and Policy program, but this choice can be changed at any time.

Enrollment in Math courses is determined by a Math Placement Assessment: https://www.plymouth.edu/mathematics/math-placement-assessment). Depending on a student’s Assessment score or credit transfers, some preparatory math courses may be needed before completing required courses in the ESP major.

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
ESP 1010Science Toolkit: Skills for Success1
ESP 1500Introduction to Field Techniques3
ESP 2100Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I4
ESP 2110Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II4
ESP 2305Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO)4
BI 3240Conservation (DICO,GACO)3
ESP 3201Energy and Society4
ESP 3326Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO)3
ESP 3335Environmental Geology (TECO)4
ESP 4550Environmental Science and Policy Seminar (WRCO)4
ESP3000/4000 level electives in ESP/EPL/GE/SU minimum of 3 credits in ESP9
GE 2050GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)4
or CS 2010 Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
or CS 2521 Introduction to Electromechanical Technology
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
MA 2300Statistics I (QRCO) (Quantitative Reasoning in the Discipline Connection)3
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 13-4
WECOWellness Connection3-4
IS 4220Signature Project (INCO,INCP)4
Required Options in this Major
Complete one option:
Science Option
Policy and Planning Option
Total Credits77-82

Complementary Courses

Students pursuing the Environmental Science and Policy degree are encouraged to consider an undergraduate research project, an internship, a GIS Certificate, or one or more minors. Free electives and up to 2 courses in the ESP major can be used to fulfill requirements in a minor such as Chemistry, Sustainability, Biology or Business, among others.

 
 
 

1Directions in this major should total a minimum of 16 credits, excluding SIDI which is waived. Students who choose all 4-credit Directions courses can satisfy this Gen Ed requirement with 4 courses, total. Choosing any one 3-credit Directions course will necessitate at least 5 Directions courses to reach the 16 credit minimum.

Science Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Course Title Credits
Environmental Science Option Requirements
CH 2335General Chemistry I (QRCO)4
ESP 3310Hydrology4
CH 2340General Chemistry II4
or PH 2110 College Physics I
Science Elective
Complete one course from the following:3-4
Life in the Universe
Environment and Health (WECO)
Special Topics in Environmental Science
Medical Geology (WECO)
Oceanography (GACO)
Advanced Conservation Ecology
Natural Hazards: Science and Policy
Climate Change
BI
3000/4000 level Biology course
General Education: Math Foundation Choose one
MA 2130Precalculus (QRCO)4
or MA 2550 Calculus I (QRCO)
Total Credits19-20

Policy and Planning Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Course Title Credits
Environmental Policy and Planning Option Requirements
EPL 2105Community Planning4
SU 3115Economic and Ecological Sustainability (GACO,QRCO)4
or ESP 3340 Introduction to Ecological Economics
ESP 4325Decision Making in Environmental Management4
Policy and Planning Electives
Complete one course from the following:3-4
Special Topics in Environmental Policy
Hydrology
Environment and Health (WECO)
Food Systems: Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Modern Agriculture (DICO,WECO)
Natural Hazards: Science and Policy
Land Conservation Techniques
Advanced Conservation Ecology
Environmental Planning
Methods of Social Research (TECO)
Real Estate Law
Public Administration (DICO)
Political Analysis and Policy (WRCO)
General Chemistry I (QRCO)
General Chemistry II
College Physics I
BI
3000/4000 level Biology course
General Education: Math Foundation
MA 1800College Algebra3
Total Credits18-19

Not all courses are offered every year. The course sequences listed below are recommendations only. To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Policy and Planning Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
ESP 1010 Science Toolkit: Skills for Success 1
ESP 1500 Introduction to Field Techniques 3
ESP 2100 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I 4
ESP 2110 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II 4
GE 2050
GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)
or Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
or Introduction to Electromechanical Technology
4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
EN 1400 Composition 4
MA 1800 College Algebra 3
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 4
 Credits31
Year Two
EPL 2105 Community Planning 4
ESP 2305 Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO) 4
ESP 3335 Environmental Geology (TECO) 3 4
MA 2300 Statistics I (QRCO) 3
BI 3240 Conservation (DICO,GACO) 3
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI,SSDI) 12
 Credits30
Year Three
ESP 3326 Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO) 3
ESP 3201 Energy and Society 4
ESP 3340
Introduction to Ecological Economics
or Economic and Ecological Sustainability (GACO,QRCO)
3-4
ESP3000/4000 level ESP/EPL/GE /SU elective (3 cr must be ESP) 3-4
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
Option Elective 3-4
Electives 8
 Credits27-31
Year Four
ESP 4550 Environmental Science and Policy Seminar (WRCO) 4
ESP 4310
or BI @3
or @4
Advanced Conservation Ecology
or
or
3-4
ESP3000/4000 level ESP/EPL/GE/SU elective (MIN of 3cr. in ESP) 5-6
INCPIntegrated Capstone 4
Electives 11-12
 Credits27-30
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Environmental Science and Policy, Policy Option.

2

For all students who have completed ESP 2100.

3

For all students who have completed ESP 3335.

Science Option of BS Environmental Science and Policy

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
ESP 1500 Introduction to Field Techniques 3
ESP 2100 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I 4
ESP 2110 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
EN 1400 Composition 4
MA 2550
Calculus I (QRCO)
or College Algebra and Precalculus (QRCO)
4
MA 2130
Precalculus (QRCO)
or College Algebra and Precalculus (QRCO)
4
CH 2335 General Chemistry I (QRCO) 1 4
CH 2340
General Chemistry II 1
or College Physics I
4
GE 2050
GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)
or Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
or Introduction to Electromechanical Technology
4
 Credits39
Year Two
ESP 3335 Environmental Geology (TECO) 4
ESP 2305 Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO) 4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
MA 2300 Statistics I (QRCO) 3
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
Elective 6-8
 Credits23-27
Year Three
ESP 3201 Energy and Society 4
ESP 3310 Hydrology 4
ESP 3325 Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO,INCO) 3
ESP3000/4000 level Elective in ESP/EPL/GE/SU 3
BI 3240 Conservation (DICO,GACO) 3
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 1 4-8
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
Elective 0-2
 Credits27-35
Year Four
ESP 4550 Environmental Science and Policy Seminar (WRCO) 4
Advanced Conservation Ecology
ESP3000/4000 level elective in ESP/EPL/GE/SU 5-6
INCPIntegrated Capstone 4
Electives 11-12
 Credits24-26
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Environmental Science and Policy, Policy Option.

  • Integrate natural and social science concepts, theories, and methods to address interdisciplinary environmental issues
  • Value, incorporate and practice diverse, inclusive perspectives on environmental issues
  • Demonstrate open, critical and systems thinking when evaluating and solving environmental problems
  • Work effectively within a team to understand and assess environmental systems, policies, and management plans
  • Identify and describe key environmental policy and regulations as they relate to environmental issues
  • Identify and incorporate stakeholders in local, state, and federal environmental issues
  • Integrate natural and social science methods to monitor, evaluate, and manage environmental systems
  • Understand the processes by which environmental policy and regulation is created and revised
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative environmental research and report findings to peers, environmental professionals (e.g. managers, policy makers), and public audiences
 

Students graduating with a BS degree in Environmental Science and Policy find rewarding careers in state and federal environmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and private consulting firms. Prior to joining the workforce or while employed, some graduates choose to pursue graduate degrees and/or post-bac certificates. Common positions include:

  • Seasonal/Permanent Field Technician
  • Lab Technician
  • Environmental Quality Analyst
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Stewardship Coordinator
  • Environmental Educator
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Hydrologist/Hydrologic Technician
  • Fish Biologist
  • Aquatic Ecologist
  • Physical Scientist
  • Environmental Protection Agency Inspector
  • Park Ranger
  • Planner
  • Environmental Compliance Analyst
  • Sustainability Coordinator