Minor in Environmental Sciences
Photo Courtesy of Byron Hamilton
A Passion for the Environment Deserves the Knowledge to Protect it
Minor in Environmental Sciences
The Environmental Sciences program is interdisciplinary and appeals to students across the University of South Alabama campus. Enhance your major with a broader understanding of how demand for human development interacts with the natural world. Our introductory and core classes are taught on the main campus, but we can easily access numerous ecosystems from our position on the Gulf coast. If you choose to minor in environmental sciences, be prepared to gain direct experience with our hands-on approach in estuarine, inshore, and offshore marine habitats, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, river systems, and terrestrial habitats. The Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences is also equipped with a state-of-the-art analytical facility where you will gain experience and training on analytical instrumentation and common equipment used in environmental analysis.
Apply Your Major Field of Interest to Issues and Problems Related to Environmental Sciences
Our Gulf Coast has a thriving environmental sciences related work force because of
the large number of chemical and petroleum refining companies and associated environmental
regulation and compliance government agencies and consulting firms. The minor in environmental
sciences curriculum is designed to complement several majors offered at the University
of South Alabama. View examples in the chart below to see how a minor in environmental
sciences can strengthen your marketability after graduation.
Biology
Deepen Your Understanding of:
- Ecosystems
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Physiology
- Conservation
Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Pollution Analysis
Socioeconomics
Sustainable development
Resilience planning
Implementing environmental policy
Public Health
Learn How Environmental Factors Affect Health
- Pollution
- Water Quality
- Air Quality
Sociology or Anthropology
Learn about human impacts on the environment and environmental justice
Economics
Learn Economic Impacts of Environmental Degradation
- Environmental Economics
- Sustainability Markets
- Resource Allocation
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering:
- Sustainability
- Water Resources
- Environmental Impact Assessments
Journalism or Communication
Gain Scientific Foundation to Accurately Report on Environmental Issues
Marine Sciences
Learn Terrestrial-Marine Connections
Coastal Management
Estuarine Research
Mechanical Engineering
Deeper Understanding of Environmental Impact is Valuable When Designing
Energy-Efficient Machinery or Renewable Energy Systems
Sustainable Manufacturing Processes
Hospitality & Management
Prepare for an Industry Shift Toward Sustainability in Hospitality
EcoResorts
EcoTourism
Political Science
Career Opportunities:
Environmental Policy
International Climate Agreements
Requirements for a Minor in Environmental Sciences
Requirements for a Minor in Sustainability include a minimum of 18 hours of coursework.
There is a strong emphasis on a rigorous natural science foundation, so several of the upper division courses related to this minor have prerequisites.
The student must complete:
- Four required core courses (12 credit hours)
- Electives (choose 2-3 courses, 6 credit hours needed)
| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENV 100 | Gulf Coast Sustainability Seminar | 1 |
| ENV 101 | Environment & Society | 3 |
| ENV 337 & ENV 337L | Enviro Sciences I with Lab | 4 |
| ENV 338 & ENV 338L | Enviro Sciences II with Lab | 4 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BLY 369 | Biology/Conservation Marine Turtles | |
| BLY 370 | Marine Aquaculture | |
| BLY 478 | Coastal Wetlands Ecology | |
| BLY 490 | Special Topics (Coastal Zone Management) | |
| ENV 339 | Climate Change-W | |
| ENV 334 & ENV 334L | Enviro Monitoring & Assessment with Lab | 4 |
| ENV 335 & ENV 335L | Enviro Conservation/Sustainability - W with Lab | 4 |
| ENV 420 | Natural Resource Management | |
| ENV 421 | Environmental Policy | |
| ENV 494 | Directed Studies | |
| ENV 490 | Special Topics | |
| MAS 490 | Special Topics (Coastal Zone Management) |
If you are considering a minor in environmental sciences, please check the course catalog descriptions carefully and arrange a meeting with Dr. Molly Miller, mollymiller@southalabama.edu or another advisor in the Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences.