Indiana State University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The University offers a bachelor of arts (B.A.) and a bachelor of science (B.S.) in earth and environmental sciences with concentrations in atmosphere and surface processes and geoscience. Coursework includes a core of courses and laboratory work in environmental science, world culture and environments, earth science, and conservation and sustainability. Students also complete a core of mathematics and science courses in chemistry, calculus, and physics. Electives are selected from areas such as environmental processes, water and geochemistry, geobiology, geoarchaeology, physical geosciences, and research. In addition, each student selects a concentration in one (or more) of the following areas. Atmospheric and Surface Processes: This concentration focuses on the field and laboratory techniques needed to understand earth surface processes and climate. Coursework includes physical geography, weather and climate, geomorphic processes, chemistry, and physics. Graduates are prepared for careers in fields such as land reclamation, surface water/soil contamination, and conservation of natural resources. Geoscience: This concentration focuses on field and laboratory techniques needed to interpret earth and environmental processes, analyze and evaluate scientific data, and assess new environmental issues. Coursework includes earth history, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, field geology, environmental geology, stratigraphy and sedimentation, chemistry, and physics. Graduates are prepared for professional careers as geologists or hydrogeologist in a variety of industries or in government agencies, including those dealing with distribution and quality of groundwater, pollution problems, waste disposal, and hazards such as flooding and erosion.

Environmental Health This option is for students who wish to become environmental health specialists. Course work includes study in epidemiology; pollution prevention and control; water, air, soil, and food protection; industrial health and safety; toxicology; environmental field sampling and analysis; environmental law; hazardous substances and waste material; health promotion planning and evaluation; research; and statistics—plus an internship in environmental health. Graduates are eligible to take the state examination to become a registered environmental health specialist.

Sustainability not only encompasses a multidisciplinary perspective to solve problems from local to global scales, but also teaches the critical and systemic thinking skills that apply to myriad fields of study.

The Sustainability Certificate program explores the interconnections between economic, social, and environmental issues toward a basic understanding of sustainability. Students will learn these principles in addition to effective leadership skills, empowering students in all areas of study to use their knowledge of sustainability to better society. Upon successful completion of this program, students will demonstrate leadership skills in sustainability and be able to apply these skills to their chosen field. The program consists of three discussion-based seminar sessions, three assigned activities outside of seminars, 10 hours of community service related to sustainability, and one capstone presentation. The seminar sessions include: What is Sustainability? Making Change Theory into Practice This certificate is designed for upperclassmen who have declared a major, but all undergraduates may participate in this program.

The study of ecosystems, world environments, the conservation and sustainability of natural resources, along with basic earth sciences are the focus of the Biology minor in Conservation.