Dec 26, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25

Environmental Science and Sustainability Major (B.S.)


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Major code BS2109

College of Arts and Sciences  
Environmental and Plant Biology   
Porter Hall 315
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1126
plantbio@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/cas/plant-biology

Nancy Manring; Faculty Contact
manring@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Environmental Science and Sustainability is a multi-disciplinary program that provides scientific knowledge of the natural world, the living organisms that inhabit it, and social sciences at the core of sustainability. Students learn the scientific principles that underlie environmental issues, the effects of human actions, and the public policies and regulations that influence those actions.

The program is unique in its multi-disciplinary approach, drawing major requirements and electives from courses and expertise in 10 departments and programs across the College of Arts & Sciences, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, and the College of Business. Students complete a core curriculum from a range of disciplines to provide a broad foundation in environmental science and sustainability issues and choose major electives from a variety of departments to tailor the program to their interests. Courses examine:

  • Biological and ecological systems
  • Global warming and effects of climate change
  • Land use and water management
  • Sustainability from different perspectives, from local issues in Appalachia to problems at the global level

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Students who pursue this degree will be prepared for careers in environmental resource management, governmental and non-governmental agencies, companies committed to being socially responsible, and a wide range of roles in science as well as public policy. Besides providing core science skills, the multi-disciplinary focus of the program offers flexibility in exploring sustainable initiatives in business and entrepreneurship. And it prepares students for graduate studies, particularly in areas related to environmental law or the Master of Science in Environmental Studies at Ohio University.

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Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements


Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide  page.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement


View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Ethics Requirement


Complete the following course:

Statistics Requirement


Choose one of the following courses:

Chemistry Requirement


Complete one course from each of the following groups:

Chemistry Group I


Chemistry Group II


Environmental Economics Requirement


Chooose one of the following courses:

Social Equity/Justice Requirement


Choose one of the following courses:

Experiential Learning Requirement


Choose one of the following courses. Please note that a minimum of 2 credits is needed to fulfill the requirement.

Major Electives


Choose four courses from at least two departments, with a minimum of two courses at the 3000 or 4000 level, totaling 14-17 credits:

Capstone Requirement


Choose one of the following courses:

Advanced Writing Recommendation


Suggested course to meet J course requirement or Advanced Writing requirement, depending on applicable General Education requirements for the student:

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