Undergraduate Catalog 2018-2019

Majors

Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

8 Semester Plan

120 Credit Hours

CIP Code: 03.0104 - Track 1 of 2

College of Arts & Sciences

http://hennarot.forest.usf.edu/main/depts/geosci/ug/esp/

Major Description

The environmental industry is a growing arena for employment for degree holders at all levels. Students completing the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science and Policy have found employment with government agencies (city, county, state, and federal), private industry, and non-profit organizations. Examples of careers include field scientist, research scientist, policy analyst, lobbyist, conservationist, and educator. Some also go on to attend graduate or law school. This interdisciplinary major spans multiple programs within the School of Geosciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. All majors in the program must complete the required courses including two introductory courses in environmental science and policy, one semester of calculus, two semesters each of general biology and general chemistry, environmental ethics, global conservation, statistics and physical science (either geology or geography). In addition, majors take 6-7 courses that allow them to sub-specialize in environmental science or in environmental policy. Students choosing to sub-specialize in environmental science take a second semester of calculus, one semester of organic chemistry and lab, and four electives within designated tracks. Students choosing to sub-specialize in policy take environmental regulation and economic geography and four electives within designated categories. Finally, all majors must complete an upper division seminar and an internship or project.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites

Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete an A.A. degree at a Florida College System institution. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university.

If a student wishes to transfer without an A.A. degree and has fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the student must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements.

Transfer students are also required to comply with the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university.

Students should complete the following prerequisite courses at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted.

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

  • BSC X010 and BSC 2010L Biology I and Lab
  • BSC X011 and BSC 2011L Biology II and Lab
  • CHM X045 & CHM 2045L General Chemistry I & Lab
  • CHM X046 & CHM 2046L General Chemistry II & Lab
  • STA X023 Statistics
  • MAC X311 Calculus I

Total Major Hours: 61-69 Hours

Major Core Courses - 43-44 Hours

Core Courses (39-40 credit hours):

Geology or Geography (4 credit hours):

  • GLY 2010 Dynamic Earth: Intro to Physical Geography and GLY 2000L Essentials of Geology Lab or
  • GLY 2100 History of Life and GLY 2000L Essentials of Geology Lab or
  • GEO 2200 Introduction to Physical Geography and GEO 2200L Introduction to Physical Geography Lab

Major Elective Courses - 18-25 Hours

The ESP Undergraduate Program has two tracks (Science and Policy). Students should choose one of these tracks and follow the course requirements:

Science Track (21-25 credit hours)

Policy Track (18 credit hours)

  More About this Major

  Research Opportunities

There are research opportunities associated with this major.

Show Me More

  Additional Requirements

There are additional requirements for this major such as grade, GPA, foreign language, and/or general education requirements.

Show Me More

  Additional Information

There is more information available for this major such as faculty, advising, and/or accreditation information.

Show Me More