Undergraduate Programs

Environmental Science B.S. Degree Advisement Advice

For all students intending this major:

1. The Environmental Science B.S. is a combined major-minor (i.e. has a "built in" minor due to the required foundation coursework) that, in total, requires a minimum of 66 credits. One does not "apply to" this major. It need only be declared formally by the student, presumably after appropriate consideration of many aspects such as listed here. Formal declaration of a major must presently be done in person via submission of a paper form at the Registrar or the Advisement Services Center (ASC).

2. Students seeking this degree do not need to declare a separate minor. Nonetheless, many students in this major do so, to have an "edge" in seeking employment opportunities after graduation. Typical additional declared minors include geography, atmospheric science, biology and business (for a student who wants to work in the private sector, for example). More detail on the possible minors available can be found at http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/minors.html.

3. This major requires advanced abilities in math, physics and chemistry. The emphasis of this Environmental Science B.S. degree is on the natural sciences, unlike some other program that may focus more on environmental health, environmental policy or environmental law.

4.  At the time of major declaration, each student must select one of four concentrations: Biology, Climate, Geography, or Geology. Each concentration represents an emphasis within the overall program that would best match a student's interest and desired career path. For example, those most interested in land surface or hydrological processes would opt for the Geology concentration, while those seeking careers in land use planning and geographic information systems might opt for the Geography concentration. Correspondingly, students more interested in air pollution or climate change would select the Climate track, while those keen on aspects of biological processes and ecology would select the Biology concentration.

5. The MAP (Major Academic Pathway) for this degree can be found online here:
Biology concentration:
http://www.albany.edu/advisement/MAPs/Envirnmental_Science_Biology_Concentration_09.pdf
Climate concentration: http://www.albany.edu/advisement/MAPs/Envirnmental_Science_Climate_Concentration_09.pdf
Geology concentration: http://www.albany.edu/advisement/MAPs/Envirnmental_Science_Geology_Concentration_09.pdf
Geography concentration: http://www.albany.edu/advisement/MAPs/Envirnmental_Science_Geography_Concentration_09.pdf
Please examine this matrix for the recommended sequence of courses in this major. This is most relevant to a student starting as a freshman in the fall semester. The same major requirements apply to transfer students, which makes progression through the major as a transfer student somewhat more problematic. This will be addressed below under the section “For Transfer Students.” The Undergraduate Bulletin pertaining to this major can be found at http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/department_earth_atmospheric_sciences.html

6. The core environmental science sequence starts with ABIO 120, AENV 105, AENV 201, AATM 210 and AENV 250; many of these courses build on each other; others have prerequisites, requiring foundation coursework such as Calculus (AMAT 111 or 112) and calculus-based Physics (APHY 140). It is therefore important to attend the required math and physics courses in the first year. Careful planning and consultation with your advisor is necessary if an interruption of the sequence is being considered.

7. Two semesters of introductory physics are required. Only calculus-based introductory physics courses are accepted; general or algebra-based physics such as APHY 105 and APHY 108 or equivalent, for example, are not accepted. Note that an introductory physics course (APHY 140) is a pre-req  for AENV 250.

8. Two semesters of introductory chemistry are required, ACHM 120 (or TCHM 130) and ACHM 121 (or TCHM 131); no chemistry lab is required. One specific caution: ACHM 120 or ACHM 130 is a pre-req for AENV 250.

9. General Education requirements apply to all majors and must be met in addition to the major requirements; fortunately, there is some overlap. All other University level requirements also must be met.

10. Students can earn credit for working as interns with federal, state, or local government agencies, or private firms. This Environmental internship program (AENV 496) provides students with practical work experience in environmental science. Internships are open to qualified juniors and seniors having a grade point average of at least 2.5, both overall and in the Environmental Science major. A maximum of 3 credits may be applied toward the major and the internship may be repeated once for credit. It is the student's responsibility to find an employer willing to serve as internship host, but Prof Mathias Vuille (mathias@atmos.albany.edu), who oversees the program within the department, should be contacted for more detailed information and for approval.

11. Research opportunities exist for undergraduates. This research, supervised by a department instructor should be done at the beginning of the senior year and can be repeated once for credit (A ENV 498). It requires approval of both the instructor and the chair.

12. Excellent advisement of students is a priority in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (http://www.atmos.albany.edu/), and we encourage all majors to consult with their advisors regularly, to seek help or advice early on to avoid problems from becoming acute. Many resources are available to keep students on track toward completing the degree, provided that faculty advisors are adequately informed of relevant issues and difficulties as they arise. Lastly, consulting this document does NOT supplant an advisement session with your appointed advisor. To be able to register, you will need an AVN (advisement verification number), which after your initial admission to the major, will be available ONLY from your officially designated department advisor.

For transfer students:

13. Transfer students admitted for the fall semester lacking Calculus I and II and/or Physics I or II should attempt to complete either or both of these courses over the summer prior to the fall semester.

14. Transfer students arriving devoid of all foundation coursework and intending this major should resign themselves to needing eight semesters (four years) to complete the degree.

15. Transfer credit equivalency can be determined via the Transfer Equivalency Data Bank: https://eapps.albany.edu/tas/

For freshman or potential freshman:

16. Due to the importance of mathematics in this major, familiarity and competence with calculus is a high priority. A pre-calculus or calculus course in high school is recommended. While taking calculus here at UA, it is critical to remain in sequence and to get the maximum out of these courses.

17. The calculus-based introductory physics coursework also is critical, and should never be delayed. If you are still in high school, it is strongly recommended that you take at least standard physics, or better, AP physics.

18. There are no department scholarships available. Scholarship opportunities can be had via the University's Presidential Scholars program (http://www.albany.edu/financialaid/), state and federal programs, and the American Meteorological Society (http://www.ametsoc.org/).