Coordinator: Scott W. Shumway and Jani Benoit
Department home page: http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/Acad/EnvironmentalScience
The environmental science major provides students with the necessary background in biology, chemistry and mathematics that is required to understand natural processes and to apply the methodology of scientific research to environmental problems. The program is designed to prepare students to work in the environmental field and/or pursue further study in graduate or professional programs in environmental science.
Major
Print a major planning worksheet
Core courses
Bio 111 Evolution and Ecology
Bio 112 Cells and Genes
Bio 201 Environmental Science
Bio 215 Ecology
Chem 153 Chemical Principles
Chem 154 Inorganic Reactions
Chem 253 Organic Chemistry I
Chem 303 Current Problems in Environmental Chemistry
Math 104 Calculus II
or Math 151 Accelerated Statistics
or Math 141 Introductory Statistics
Phys 160 Geology
Internship
Students must complete an internship or independent research project with an environmental focus. Internships must be approved by the program coordinator in advance. Internships should be completed no later than January of the senior year. Independent research may receive credit, but other internships will not normally be given college credit.
Environmental Science Internship Approval (pdf)
Electives
Four courses from the following list, including at least two courses at the 300 level, one of which must be from the biology listing:
Bio 211 Genetics
Bio 221 Microbiology and Immunology
Bio 226 Comparative Animal Behavior
or Psy 226 Comparative Animal Behavior
Bio 231 Marine Biology
Bio 252 Parasitology and Symbiosis
Bio 262 Plant Biology
Bio 290 Biology of Whales
Bio 291 Introduction to Marine Mammals
Bio 303 Evolution
Bio 317 Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Bio 318 Tropical Field Biology
Bio 361 Vernal Pool Conservation Biology
Bio 364 Freshwater and Marine Botany
Bio 375 Ornithology
Chem 254 Organic Chemistry II
Chem 321 Chemistry of Natural Waters
Chem 331 Aqueous Equiibria
Chem 332 Instrumental Analysis
Phys 165 Climate Change, Past and Present
Phys 227 Remote Sensing
Phys 298 Meteorology and Oceanography
Phys 298 Scientific Computing
Bio 999 Course Offerings through Affiliated Institutions
Additional information may be obtained about course offerings through affiliated institutions (Williams-Mystic, MBL and Marine Studies Consortium) at the Filene Center for Academic Advising and Career Services and the Biology Department Web pages.
Through the Boston Marine Studies Consortium:
Bio 380 Wetlands Ecology, Hydrology, Restoration
Bio 390 Biology of Fishes
Through Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies:
Marine Ecology (200 level)
Oceanography (200 level)
Through Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science:
Aquatic Ecosystems (300 level)
Terrestrial Ecosystems (300 level)
Mathematical Modeling of Ecosystems (300 level)
Capstone
The capstone may be fulfilled by taking an appropriate senior seminar (Bio 401) or by conducting an independent research project which has been approved by the coordinator and supervised by a Wheaton faculty member (499) or conduct research as part of a senior honors thesis (Bio, Chem, or Physics 500).
