Environmental Biology (BS)

The BS in Environmental Biology focuses on organismal, evolutionary, ecological, and field biology. This degree prepares students for careers in the environmental biology field, including environmental consulting, environmental education, and work for governmental agencies. Note that some professional/graduate schools require a full year of physics and that students should work closely with their academic advisor to plan their coursework.

Biological Sciences Honors Program

The Department of Biological Sciences encourages eligible students to develop an Honors research project working with an individual faculty member. A Biology Faculty Advisor will serve as a research mentor throughout the process, but the student is responsible for the design, data collection, analysis, and writing required to complete and communicate the results of the project. Students must understand that faculty can more readily advise Honors projects that integrate with their existing research interests. The Honors project can assist students wishing to pursue admission to competitive graduate and professional programs in biological sciences. Along with letters of recommendation, solid grade point average and Graduate Record Exam scores, participating in research is an important criterion such programs use to select students.

Requirements for Admission to the Honors Program

  • 3.25 minimum grade point average
  • completion of at least 45 credit hours
  • completion of Biological Science I (BI 1110) and Biological Science II (BI 1120) or their equivalents and at least one 3000/4000 level Biology course that involves a research project, or approval of the faculty sponsor
  • availability and support of a Faculty Advisor
  • submission of an Honors Application to the Department of Biological Sciences. The Application consists of a research proposal that is developed with the guidance and approval of a Faculty Advisor and contains a literature review, hypotheses, methods (including a budget), and references (formatted according to discipline-specific standards)
  • approval of the Honors Application by the Biological Sciences faculty.

Completing the Program

  • completion of four credits of Undergraduate Research (BI 4950)
  • presentation of the research findings
  • submission of a final paper (in discipline-specific format) to the Department of Biological Sciences by May 1 of the year Honors distinction is sought
  • presentation of the results at an appropriate scientific conference or seminar series, either at PSU or in the New England region
  • overall approval of both the final paper and the presentation from the Biological Science faculty
  • maintenance of a 3.25 minimum grade point average.
Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
BI 1110Biological Science I (TECO)4
BI 1120Biological Science II4
BI 2270Integrative Biology (WECO)4
GE 2050GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)4
BI 3060Genetics4
BI 3130Evolution4
BI 3240Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP)3
BI 4050Ecology (QRCO,WRCO)4
BI 4800Current Environmental Issues3
BI 4970Biology Seminar1
BI3000/4000 level Biology electives (not BIDI)12
CH 1050Laboratory Safety1
CH 2335General Chemistry I (QRCO)4
CH 2340General Chemistry II4
CH 3370Organic Chemistry I4
CH 3600Environmental Chemistry (INCO,INCP)4
Organisms
Complete two courses from the following:8
BI 2030
Invertebrate Zoology
BI 2040
Vertebrate Zoology
BI 2070
Botany
Physics
PH 2410University Physics I3
or PH 2210 Physics I
PH 2430Physics Laboratory I1
Mathematics Foundations
MA 2130Precalculus (QRCO)4
or MA 2550 Calculus I (QRCO)
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 14-8
Electives17
Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Environmental Biology.

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

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).

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
MA 2130
or MA 2550
 Precalculus (QRCO)
or Calculus I (QRCO)
 4
BI 1110 Biological Science I (TECO) 4
BI 1120 Biological Science II 4
CH 1050 Laboratory Safety 1
CH 2335 General Chemistry I (QRCO) 1 4
CH 2340 General Chemistry II 1 4
 Credits29
Year Two
BI 2270 Integrative Biology (WECO) 4
Complete two Organisms Courses from the following: 8
BI 2030
 Invertebrate Zoology
BI 2040
 Vertebrate Zoology
BI 2070
 Botany
CH 3370 Organic Chemistry I 4
GE 2050 GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO) 4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 2 4-8
Elective 3-4
 Credits30-36
Year Three
BI 3060 Genetics 4
BI 3130 Evolution 4
CH 3600 Environmental Chemistry (INCO,INCP) 4
Complete one Physics Course from the following: 3
PH 2410
or PH 2210
 University Physics I
or Physics I
PH 2430 Physics Laboratory I 1
BI3000/4000 level Biology electives (not BIDI) 4
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
Elective 3-4
 Credits29-32
Year Four
BI 3240 Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP) 3
BI 4050 Ecology (QRCO,WRCO) 4
BI 4800 Current Environmental Issues 3
BI 4970 Biology Seminar 1
BI3000/4000 level Biology electives (not BIDI) 8
Electives 10-11
 Credits29-30
 Total Credits120
1

General Chemistry should only be taken in the first year if the student has suitable math skills.

2

Directions should total 17-16 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Environmental Biology.

  • An understanding of the scientific method as the means to increase understanding of the natural world through hypothesis-testing.
  • An aptitude for critically reading scientific literature, including primary research journals.
  • Proficiency in writing, especially in scientific format.
  • An ability to present scientific information orally with emphasis on clear interpretation of scientific data.
  • Proficiency in techniques specific to a subdiscipline of biology, including but not limited to laboratory, field, and statistical techniques.
  • An understanding of the critical issues facing the environment at local, regional, national, and global scales.
  • Biological literacy allowing for the evaluation of new information and emerging issues.
  • Readiness for post-graduate experiences in graduate school, professional school, or biology employment
Biologists study living organisms and their relationships to the environment from molecules, to cells, to ecosystems. Most specialize in a particular discipline within biology, sometimes by pursuing a specialized degree like Environmental Biology or Cell and Molecular Biology. Some go on to attain further education in graduate school or a health professional school for medicine, public health, or pharmacy. There are as many job opportunities as areas of study.
For more information, visit Career Services in the Global Education Office.
 
Sample Job Titles include: Biochemist, Botanist, Ecologist, Fishery Biologist, High School Science Teacher, Marine Biologist, Microbiologist, Zoologist, Veterinarian, Medical doctor, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Research Scientist, Wildlife Biologist, Pharmacist, Dentist, Medical scientist, Virologist
 
See the U.S. Department of Labor Outlook for a complete list.
 
Useful Skills for Jobs in the Biology Fields
  • Research skills such as data collection, laboratory techniques, and working in teams
  • Ability to problem-solve and think critically
  • Written and verbal communication skills to convey technical and scientific data to both scientific and non-scientific communities