Bachelor of Science Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Environmental Sciences (BS)

Richard Hale, Advisor

Students in the Ocean and Earth Science program focus on global systems that control environmental conditions on the planet. They also learn to develop solutions to complex environmental problems by working in interdisciplinary teams. All majors in the department complete courses in the basic sciences and mathematics and core courses in Earth systems science. Students majoring in Environmental Science complete a course-based research experience including both field work and laboratory analysis. In addition, students complete a suite of specialty courses specified in each major.  A minimum grade of C or higher in all major and prerequisite courses is required for graduation.

Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Environmental Sciences

The environmental sciences major is designed for students broadly interested in earth and ocean sciences.  Students in this major gain a solid background in basic sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics, math, and biology) while also taking courses in geology, oceanography, and atmospheric sciences.  The major is also designed to allow students the freedom to focus their upper-level coursework across disciplinary fields related to the natural environment they find most compelling.  Students in this major will be prepared for a wide range of future scientific pursuits (including graduate studies in appropriate fields), as well as careers that apply their interdisciplinary skills to policy development and interpretation. Specific employment opportunities include work in local, state, and federal government agencies, environmental consulting firms, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Requirements

Lower-Division General Education

Written Communication: grade of C or better required in both courses

Mathematics: MATH 211 or MATH 205

Information Literacy and Research: met in the major by OEAS 130G

The Nature of Science: CHEM 121N & CHEM 122N, CHEM 123N & CHEM 124N

Impact of Technology: met in the major by OEAS 220T

Upper-Division General Education

• Option A. Approved Disciplinary Minor (a minimum of 12 hours determined by the department), or second degree or second major.

• Option B: Interdisciplinary Minor (specifically 12 hours, 3 of which may be in the major)

• Option C. An approved Certification Program such as teaching licensure

• Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Sciences and not required by the major (6 hours)

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for graduation include the following:

• Minimum of 120 credit hours.
• Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
• Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
• Completion of Senior Assessment.

Environmental Sciences Major

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For these upper-division courses please pay careful attention to prerequisites that may not necessarily also be required courses in the major.  A minimum of two courses must have a structured laboratory or field requirement (indicated by L).  Up to 4 credits of 200-level courses may be used to satisfy this upper-division requirement.  Up to six credit hours of electives from departments outside of Ocean and Earth Sciences on an approved electives list can be used to satisfy this requirement (see the Chief Departmental Advisor for details).  At least one writing-intensive "W" course must be taken within the major.

Elective Credit

Elective credit may be needed to meet the minimum requirement of 120 credit hours.

Honors Program in Ocean and Earth Science

Students admitted by the faculty to the Ocean and Earth science honors program engage in supervised individual study in areas of their interest. Honors students must complete all courses required by the department with a minimum grade point average of 3.50 and a total of at least three credits in one of the following courses:

Degree Program Guide

The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years.  It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor.  Additional information can also be found in Degree Works. 

BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program

The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study.  The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree.  Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree.  Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).  Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study.  Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.

BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program

The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student.  The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree.  The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major.  Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year.  Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).

Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog.  For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.