Environmental and Physical Sciences
Shepherd University
Key Information
Campus location
Shepherdstown, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 4 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 18,722 / per year
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
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Introduction
Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary program that investigates interactions between humans and their environments. This involves the study of physical and biological aspects of natural environments and connections with human-built environments like cities and farms. In addition to the natural sciences, environmental studies includes dimensions of the social sciences and humanities. The home of environmental studies at Shepherd University is the Department of Environmental and Physical Sciences. However, many other disciplines and departments including biology, chemistry, geography, sociology, mathematics, and Appalachian studies contribute to the curriculum and the intellectual richness of environmental studies.
Current Students
Your academic experience is largely what you make of it. But, we are here to help you succeed and get the most out of your time here at Shepherd. Get to know your academic advisor. Get involved with student groups. Tune into internship and special learning opportunities both on campus and beyond.
Mission Statement
The Department of Environmental and Physical Sciences provides students with the advanced interdisciplinary education necessary for understanding the interactions between humans and our environment and for solving complex physical and environmental problems. We serve the Environmental Studies program, other major programs and the university community by offering a variety of Core Curriculum and specialized upper level courses in the physical and environmental sciences, mentoring students in research and engaging in institutional and community service and outreach.
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Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that investigates interactions between humans and their environment. This includes physical and biological aspects in addition to the highly modified human-made environments such as urban and agricultural systems. The Comprehensive Environmental Studies major provides students an integrative foundation in biology, physical sciences, technologies, earth systems and humanities and social sciences needed to understand interactions between humans and their environment. Students also have the option of selecting a concentration in Aquatic Sciences, Environmental Geomatics, or Sustainable Resource Management.
Environmental Core Requirements, 12 Hours:
- ENVS 201 - Foundations In Environmental Science I (3cr)
- ENVS 201L - Foundations In Environmental Science I Lab (1cr)
- ENVS 202 - Foundations In Environmental Science II (3cr)
- ENVS 202L - Foundations In Environmental Science II Lab (1cr)
- ENVS 462 - Environmental Capstone (4cr)
Portfolio Requirement for Environmental Studies Major:
It is required that each major complete a portfolio prior to graduation. See advisor for specific details.
Additional Required Courses, 7 Hours:
- ENVS 401 - Conservation Ecology (4 cr)
- MATH 314 - Statistics (3 cr)
Elective Courses, 49-51 Hours:
Foundational Sciences, 8 Hours (choose one sequence):
- BIOL 211 - Fundamentals of Biology I: Molecular and Cellular Function (4cr)
- AND BIOL 212 - Fundamentals of Biology II: Diversity of Life (4cr)
OR
- CHEM 207 - General Chemistry I (3 cr)
- AND CHEM 207L - General Chemistry I Laboratory (1 cr)
- AND CHEM 209 - General Chemistry II (3 cr)
- AND CHEM 209L - General Chemistry II Laboratory (1 cr)
OR
- PHYS 201 - College Physics I (3 cr)
- AND PHYS 201L - College Physics I Laboratory (1 cr)
- AND PHYS 202 - College Physics II (3 cr)
- AND PHYS 202L - College Physics II Laboratory (1 cr)
OR
- PHYS 221 - General Physics I (3 cr)
- AND PHYS 221L - General Physics I Laboratory (1 cr)
- AND PHYS 222 - General Physics II (3 cr)
- AND PHYS 222L - General Physics II Laboratory (1 cr)
Environmental Earth Systems, 8 Hours:
- ENVS 309 - Regional Geology and Geomorphology and Laboratory (4 cr)
- ENVS 362 - Soil Science and Lab (4 cr)
- ENVS 368 - Geology of National Parks and Laboratory (4 cr)
- GSCI 301 - Physical Geology (4 cr)
- GSCI 302 - General Astronomy (4 cr)
- GSCI 303 - Meteorology (4 cr)
- GSCI 306 - Introduction to Oceanography and Laboratory (4 cr)
- GSCI 312 - Historical Geology (4 cr)
Environmental Technology, 4 Hours:
- ENVS 390 - Geographic Information Systems (4 cr)
- PHYS 302 - Physical Computing (4cr)
Environmental Physical Sciences, 8 Hours:
- CHEM 333 - Environmental Chemistry (3 cr) *
- AND CHEM 333L - Environmental Chemistry Lab (1 cr)
- PHYS 301 - Energy (4cr)
- ENVS 341 - Sustainable Energy and Lab (4 cr)
- ENVS 345 - Sustainable Development and Laboratory (4 cr)
- ENVS 441 - Hydrology and Lab (4 cr)
*Requires CHEM 207, CHEM 207L, CHEM 209, and CHEM 209L as prerequisites.
Environmental Biology, 8 Hours:
- ENVS 300 - Integrated Pest Management and Lab (4 cr)
- ENVS 301 - Wildlife Management and Lab (4 cr)
- ENVS 302 - Forestry Management and Laboratory (4 cr)
- ENVS 340 - Sustainable Agriculture and Lab (4 cr)
- ENVS 342 - Limnology (4 cr)
- ENVS 343 - Aquatic Entomology (4 cr)
- ENVS 344 - Ichthyology (4 cr)
- ENVS 422 - Stream Ecology (4 cr)
Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, 6-7 Hours:
- ENVS 306 - Environmental Policy (4cr)
- ENVS 322 - Environmental History (3 cr)
- ENVS 323 - Environmental Ethics (3 cr)
Choose one from:
- ANTH 300 - Introduction to Archaeology (3 cr)
- ANTH 315 - Cultural Anthropology (3 cr)
- APST 309 - West Virginia and the Appalachian Region (3cr)
- APST 256 - Appalachian Culture (3cr)
- ECON 330 - Economics of Developing Countries (3 cr)
- ENVS 324 - Environment in Film (3cr)
- GEOG 105 - World Cultural Geography (3 cr)
- GEOG 202 - World Regions (3 cr)
- GEOG 301 - World Economic Geography (3 cr)
Program Outcome
Graduate Profiles
Our graduates do amazing things. Here are some examples of the paths our graduates from 2018 through 2020 have taken:
- FEMA Program Specialist
- Fisheries Technician at Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation
- Environmental Specialist with ACRT and Dominion Energy
- California Condor Project Technician with the Ventana Wildlife Society
- GIS Professional with Jefferson County Farmland Protection
- Forestry Program Coordinator with the Cacapon Institute
- Nursery Specialist with One Green World
- Technician with Jefferson County Health Department
- GIS Professional with Berkeley County
- Fisheries Scientist with Ghugach National Forest
- Aquatic Toxicology Scientists at Eurofins
- GIS Professional with the City of Martinsburg
- Educator at Wind Dance Farm and Educational Center
- Educator at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- Technician with the Maryland Department of Health
- Program Specialist at the Potomac Valley Audubon Society