Environmental Science
| Degrees: | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Majors: | Environmental Science Earth and Environmental Science Teaching |
| Specializations: | Environmental Management Natural Science |
| Minors: | Environmental Science Environmental Sustainability Geographic Information Science |
| Certificate: | Geographic Information Science |
| Department: | Earth and Environmental Sciences Building 13, Room 206 850-474-3377 http://uwf.edu/environmental |
| College: | Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering |
| CIP Code: | 03.0104 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
This interdisciplinary program offers a B.S. degree in Environmental Science. Students learn to analyze physical and socioeconomic environments and to reach decisions concerning environmental use and protection. The major allows students to obtain an interdisciplinary background suitable for environmental monitoring and planning. Graduates are prepared for entry- and middle-level positions in governmental agencies in such areas as regional planning and resource management; for positions in industry and the private sector; or to pursue graduate degrees in urban/regional planning, resource management, coastal studies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the geosciences.
Two specializations are available under this B.S. program: Environmental Management and Natural Science.
Contact the department for information concerning the Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS).
Program Requirements
In addition to the university’s general requirements, students seeking the B.S. in Environmental Science must meet the requirements listed below.
Students must consult with their academic advisors for courses that may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.
A grade of “C-” or better is required in all common prerequisites. No grade below a “C-” in a major course may be applied toward graduation.
Environmental Management Specialization
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Environmental Management specialization Environmental Science majors should take the following to satisfy perspectives of General Education:
| Social Science/Behavioral Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Social Science/Socio-political Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Nations and Regions of the World | ||
| Principles of Economics Macro | ||
| International Politics | ||
| American Politics | ||
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| STA 2360 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| BSC 1005+L | General Biology for Non-Majors (+Lab) * | 4 |
| BOT 2010+L | General Botany (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2045+L | General Chemistry I (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2046+L | General Chemistry II (+Lab) * | 4 |
| MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra * | 3 |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics * | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Physical Geology (+Lab) * | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science (+Lab) * | ||
| Total Hours | 26 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours (sh) in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 0-10 | |
Environmental Core
| Cornerstone | ||
| EVR 2920 | Foundations in Environmental Science | 1 |
| GEO 3210+L | Geomorphology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| Techniques and Skills | ||
| GEO 4280+L | Basic Hydrology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4250+L | Weather and Climate (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4260+L | Geography of Soils (+Lab) + | 4 |
| EVR 3894 | Environmental Writing + | 3 |
| or ENC 3455 | Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors | |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4004 | Environmental Science, Politics and Policy + | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Internship in Environmental Sciences | ||
| Research in Earth and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Community Engagement through Environmental Science | ||
| GEO 4332 | Senior Seminar + | 1 |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Major
| Environmental Studies Core | 31 | |
| Environmental Management Content | ||
| Choose 12 hours | 12 | |
| Conservation of Natural Resources + | ||
| Environmental Law + | ||
| Environmental Aspects of Urban Growth + | ||
| Urban Planning + | ||
| Environmental Management & Planning + | ||
| Environment and Economy + | ||
| Environmental Management Skills | ||
| Choose 12 hours | 12 | |
| Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing (+Lab) + | ||
| Applications in Geographic Information Systems + | ||
| Methods and Techniques in Environmental Resource Management and Planning + | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment + | ||
| Geostatistics | ||
or STA 4173 | Biostatistics | |
| Any upper-level courses with prefixes of EVR, EVS, GEA, GEO, GIS, or GLY, or advisor-approved elective + | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Accelerated Bachelor's (B.S.) Environmental Management/Master's (M.S.) in Environmental Science (ABM-EVR)
Minimum Requirements for Admission
In addition to the University's general admission requirements as described in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the catalog, students seeking the ABM-EVR must meet the following additional requirements at the time of application:
- Undergraduate overall GPA of 3.25 or better.
- Undergraduate program (major) GPA of 3.5 or better.
- Completion of all Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science Environmental Cornerstone course requirements - EVR 2920 Foundations in Environmental Science , GEO 3210 Geomorphology, and GEO 3210L Geomorphology Lab.
- A grade of "B" (3.0) or higher in each Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science Environmental Core course.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Process
A prospective student who meets the minimum requirements for admission to the ABM-EVR program must schedule a meeting with their undergraduate faculty advisor and graduate coordinator to discuss and develop a degree plan for the student's ABM-EVR program. The student must then submit an ABM-EVR program application and two letters of recommendation to the graduate advisor.
Eligibility and Restrictions
Students must have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours, including credits earned from advanced placement, prior to applying to the ABM-EVR program. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters and at least 24 credit hours at the University of West Florida prior to application to the ABM-EVR program.
For admission into the ABM-EVR program in the summer semester, application materials must be submitted by March 15. For admission into the ABM-EVR program in the fall semester, application materials must be submitted by June 15. For admission into the ABM-EVR program in the spring semester, application materials must be submitted by October 15.
Admission into the ABM-EVR program does not guarantee admission into the Master’s in Environmental Science program upon completion of the Bachelor’s in Environmental Science. Students must submit an Express Admission application for the Master’s in Environmental Science program. Students who are a part of the ABM-EVR program cannot be provisionally or conditionally admitted into the Master’s in Environmental Science program.
Program Requirements
Upon admission into the Master’s in Environmental Science program, the 12 graduate credit hours completed as an undergraduate student will count for 12 credit hours of coursework for the master’s program. Students in the ABM-EVR program must earn a grade of "B" (3.0/4.0) or better in each of the graduate-level courses that are being applied to both degrees. Courses completed with a grade of "B-" or below cannot be applied to the master’s degree.
Students accepted into the master’s program must complete all requirements within 18 months of completing the bachelor’s degree in the non-thesis track (24 months if in the thesis track). If the requirements are not completed within 18 months (24 months for the thesis track); the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours toward both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the graduate credit hours either toward completion of the bachelor’s or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the ABM-EVR program.
If a student in the ABM-EVR program completes the bachelor’s degree requirements with an overall GPA of less than 3.25/4.0, the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours to both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the credit hours towards completion of the bachelor’s degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the ABM-EVR program.
A student who becomes ineligible to continue participating in or withdraws from the Accelerated ABM-EVR program cannot apply any graduate credit hours toward both degrees.
Students who are enrolled in the ABM-EVR program are eligible for graduate assistantship positions only after completing the bachelor’s degree.
Undergraduate Degree Program
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Environmental Management specialization Environmental Science majors should take the following to satisfy perspectives of General Education:
| Social Science/Behavioral Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Social Science/Socio-Political Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Nations and Regions of the World | ||
| Principles of Economics Macro | ||
| International Politics | ||
| American Politics | ||
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| STA 2360 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| BSC 1005+L | General Biology for Non-Majors (+Lab) * | 4 |
| BOT 2010+L | General Botany (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2045+L | General Chemistry I (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2046+L | General Chemistry II (+Lab) * | 4 |
| MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra * | 3 |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics * | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Physical Geology (+Lab) * | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science (+Lab) * | ||
| Total Hours | 26 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 credit hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 0-10 | |
Environmental Core
| Cornerstone | ||
| EVR 2920 | Foundations in Environmental Science | 1 |
| GEO 3210+L | Geomorphology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| Techniques and Skills | ||
| GEO 4280+L | Basic Hydrology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4250+L | Weather and Climate (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4260+L | Geography of Soils (+Lab) + | 4 |
| EVR 3894 | Environmental Writing + | 3 |
| or ENC 3455 | Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors | |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4004 | Environmental Science, Politics and Policy + | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Internship in Environmental Sciences | ||
| Research in Earth and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Community Engagement through Environmental Science | ||
| GEO 4332 | Senior Seminar + | 1 |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Major+
| Environmental Studies Core | 31 | |
| Environmental Management Content | ||
| Choose 12 hours | 12 | |
| Conservation of Natural Resources | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Environmental Aspects of Urban Growth | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Environmental Management & Planning | ||
| Environment and Economy | ||
| Environmental Management Skills | ||
| Choose 12 hours | 12 | |
| Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing (+Lab) | ||
| Applications in Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Methods and Techniques in Environmental Resource Management and Planning | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Geostatistics | ||
or STA 4173 | Biostatistics | |
| Any upper-level courses with a prefix of EVR, EVS, GEA, GEO, GIS, or GLY or advisor-approved elective | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
Graduate Level Electives
| Up to 12 credit hours of advisor-approved 5000-level courses with EVS, EVR, GEA, GEO, or GIS prefix are allowed to substitute for the requirements listed above. | 1-12 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA
Natural Science Specialization
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Natural Science specialization Environmental Science majors should take the following to satisfy perspectives of General Education:
| Social Science/Behavioral Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Social Science/Socio-political Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Nations and Regions of the World | ||
| Principles of Economics Macro | ||
| International Politics | ||
| American Politics | ||
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| STA 2360 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
| BOT 2010+L | General Botany (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2045+L | General Chemistry I (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2046+L | General Chemistry II (+Lab) * | 4 |
| ESC 2000+L | Introduction to Earth Science (+Lab) * | 4 |
| or GLY 2010 & 2010L | Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory | |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I * | 4 |
| PHY 2048+L | Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) * | 4 |
| or PHY 2053L & PHY 2053 | Algebra-Based Physics I Lab and Algebra-Based Physics I | |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics * | 3 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours (sh) in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement. | 0-10 | |
| Total Hours | 0-10 | |
Environmental Studies Core
| Cornerstone | ||
| EVR 2920 | Foundations in Environmental Science + | 1 |
| GEO 3210+L | Geomorphology (+Lab) | 4 |
| Techniques and Skills | ||
| GEO 4280+L | Basic Hydrology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4250+L | Weather and Climate (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4260+L | Geography of Soils (+Lab) + | 4 |
| EVR 3894 | Environmental Writing + | 3 |
| or ENC 3455 | Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors | |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4004 | Environmental Science, Politics and Policy | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Internship in Environmental Sciences | ||
| Research in Earth and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Community Engagement through Environmental Science | ||
| GEO 4332 | Senior Seminar + | 1 |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Major
| Environmental Studies Core | 31 | |
| Natural Science Content | ||
| Choose 15 hours | 15 | |
| Coastal Morphology and Processes (+Lab) + | ||
| Advanced Climatology and Climate Change + | ||
| Coastal and Marine Environments + | ||
| Geochemistry + | ||
| Biogeochemistry + | ||
| Environmental Soil Science + | ||
| Natural Science Skills | ||
| Choose 9 hours | 9 | |
| Geostatistics | ||
or STA 4173 | Biostatistics | |
| Methods and Techniques in Environmental Resource Management and Planning + | ||
| Analytical Chemistry (+Lab) | ||
| Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing (+Lab) + | ||
| Applications in Geographic Information Systems + | ||
| Any upper-level course with prefixes of EVR, EVS, GEO, GIS, or GLY | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Accelerated Bachelor's (B.S.) in Natural Science/Master's (M.S.) in Environmental Science (ABM-EVR)
Minimum Requirements for Admission
In addition to the University's general admission requirements as described in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the catalog, students seeking the ABM-EVR must meet the following additional requirements at the time of application:
- Undergraduate Overall GPA of 3.25 or better
- Undergraduate Program (Major) GPA of 3.5 or better
- Completion of all Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science Environmental Cornerstone course requirements: EVR 2920 Foundations in Environmental Science and GEO 3210 Geomorphology+GEO 3210L Geomorphology Lab
- A grade of "B" (3.0) or higher in each Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science Environmental Core course
- Two letters of recommendation
Process
A prospective student who meets the minimum requirements for admission to the ABM-EVR program must schedule a meeting with their undergraduate faculty advisor and graduate coordinator to discuss and develop a degree plan for the student's ABM-EVR program. The student must then submit an ABM-EVR program application and two letters of recommendation to the graduate advisor.
Eligibility and Restrictions
Students must have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours, including credits earned from advanced placement, prior to applying to the ABM-EVR program. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters and at least 24 credit hours at the University of West Florida prior to application to the ABM-EVR program.
For admission into the ABM-EVR program in the summer semester, application materials must be submitted by March 15. For admission into the ABM-EVR program in the fall semester, application materials must be submitted by June 15. For admission into the ABM-EVR program in the spring semester, application materials must be submitted by October 15.
Admission into the ABM-EVR program does not guarantee admission into the Master’s in Environmental Science program upon completion of the Bachelor’s in Environmental Science. Students must submit an Express Admission application for the Master’s in Environmental Science program. Students who are a part of the ABM-EVR program cannot be provisionally or conditionally admitted into the Master’s in Environmental Science program.
Program Requirements
Upon admission into the Master’s in Environmental Science program, the 12 graduate credit hours completed as an undergraduate student will count for 12 semester hours of coursework for the master’s program. Students in the ABM-EVR program must earn a grade of "B" (3.0/4.0) or better in each of the graduate-level courses that are being applied to both degrees. Courses completed with a grade of "B-" or below cannot be applied to the master’s degree.
Students accepted into the master’s program must complete all requirements within 18 months of completing the bachelor’s degree in the non-thesis track (24 months if in the thesis track). If the requirements are not completed within 18 months (24 months for the thesis track); the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours toward both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the graduate credit hours either toward completion of the bachelor’s or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the ABM-EVR program.
If a student in the ABM-EVR program completes the bachelor’s degree requirements with an overall GPA of less than 3.25/4.0, the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours to both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the credit hours towards completion of the bachelor’s degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the ABM-EVR program.
A student who becomes ineligible to continue participating in or withdraws from the Accelerated ABM-EVR program cannot apply any graduate credit hours toward both degrees.
Students who are enrolled in the ABM-EVR program are eligible for graduate assistantship positions only after completing the bachelor’s degree.
Natural Science Specialization
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Natural Science specialization Environmental Science majors should take the following to satisfy perspectives of General Education:
| Social Science/Behavioral Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Social Science/Socio-Political Perspectives (one of the following): | 3 | |
| Nations and Regions of the World | ||
| Principles of Economics Macro | ||
| International Politics | ||
| American Politics | ||
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| STA 2360 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| BOT 2010+L | General Botany (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2045+L | General Chemistry I (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2046+L | General Chemistry II (+Lab) * | 4 |
| ESC 2000+L | Introduction to Earth Science (+Lab) * | 4 |
| or GLY 2010 & 2010L | Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory | |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I * | 4 |
| PHY 2048+L | Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) * | 4 |
| or PHY 2053L & PHY 2053 | Algebra-Based Physics I Lab and Algebra-Based Physics I | |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics * | 3 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours (sh) in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 0-10 | |
Environmental Studies Core
| Cornerstone | ||
| EVR 2920 | Foundations in Environmental Science + | 1 |
| GEO 3210+L | Geomorphology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| Techniques and Skills | ||
| GEO 4280+L | Basic Hydrology (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4250+L | Weather and Climate (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4260+L | Geography of Soils (+Lab) + | 4 |
| EVR 3894 | Environmental Writing + | 3 |
| or ENC 3455 | Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors | |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4004 | Environmental Science, Politics and Policy + | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Internship in Environmental Sciences | ||
| Research in Earth and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Community Engagement through Environmental Science | ||
| GEO 4332 | Senior Seminar + | 1 |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Major
| Environmental Studies Core | 31 | |
| Natural Science Content | ||
| Choose 15 hours: | 15 | |
| Coastal Morphology and Processes (+Lab) + | ||
| Advanced Climatology and Climate Change + | ||
| Coastal and Marine Environments + | ||
| Geochemistry + | ||
| Biogeochemistry + | ||
| Environmental Soil Science + | ||
| Natural Science Skills | ||
| Choose 9 hours: | 9 | |
| Geostatistics | ||
or STA 4173 | Biostatistics | |
| Methods and Techniques in Environmental Resource Management and Planning + | ||
| Analytical Chemistry (+Lab) | ||
| Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing (+Lab) + | ||
| Applications in Geographic Information Systems + | ||
| Any upper-level course with a prefix of EVR, EVS, GEO, GIS, or GLY | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
Graduate Level Electives
| Up to 12 credit hours of advisor-approved 5000-level courses with an EVS, EVR, GEA, GEO, or GIS prefix are allowed to substitute for the requirements listed above. | 1-12 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Earth and Environmental Science Teaching
Program Requirements
In addition to the university’s general requirements, students seeking the B.A. in Earth and Environmental Science Teaching must meet the requirements listed below.
Students must consult with their academic advisors for courses that may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.
Students entering UWF or declaring a major in the Earth and Environmental Science Teaching degree program will automatically be placed in a pending status until they are fully admitted to the program. While in the pending status, students may not take 3000/4000 level education coursework, but should work closely with their advisor to plan an appropriate course of study in preparation for application to the program.
To be admitted, students must meet the following requirements:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all previously attempted college work;
- A passing score on the General Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam;
- Completion of EDG 2041 Exploring Inquiry Teaching or equivalent with a grade of "C-" or higher.
The admission process requires students to complete the Application for Admission to Teacher Education (which includes a self-rating on dispositions toward teaching) and complete the orientation requirement.
General Education Requirements
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| STA 2360 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| BSC 1005+L | General Biology for Non-Majors (+Lab) * | 4 |
| BOT 2010+L | General Botany (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2045+L | General Chemistry I (+Lab) * | 4 |
| CHM 2046+L | General Chemistry II (+Lab) * | 4 |
| EDG 2041 | Exploring Inquiry Teaching | 3 |
| MAC 1147 | Precalculus with Trigonometry * | 4 |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics * | 3 |
| Choose one of the following | 4 | |
| Physical Geology (+Lab) * | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science (+Lab) * | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement.
Environmental Science Core
| EVR 2920 | Foundations in Environmental Science | 1 |
| GEO 3210 | Geomorphology + | 3 |
| GEO 3372 | Conservation of Natural Resources + | 3 |
| EVR 3894 | Environmental Writing | 3 |
| or ENC 3455 | Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors | |
| EVR 4023 | Coastal and Marine Environments + | 3 |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4250+L | Weather and Climate (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4260+L | Geography of Soils (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4280+L | Basic Hydrology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| GEO 4357 | Environment and Economy + | 3 |
| GEO 4332 | Senior Seminar + | 1 |
| AST 1002 | Descriptive Astronomy | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Teaching Core
| EDF 3234 | Applied Foundations of Education + | 3 |
| EDG 4323 | Methods of K-12 Literacy Instruction + | 3 |
| TSL 4080 | ESOL Principles and Practices + | 3 |
| ESE 4322 | Instruction, Management, and Assessment: Secondary Education + | 3 |
| SCE 4320 | Teaching Science in Middle and Secondary Schools + | 3 |
| ESE 4940 | Secondary Practicum + | 3 |
| EDG 4948 | Apprenticeship Teaching + | 6 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Environmental Science Minor
The minor in Environmental Science is offered as a micro-version of the B.S. in Environmental Science degree. The required courses represent a cross-section of the departmental offerings.
An Environmental Science Minor consists of 19-20 semester hours (sh); of the 12-13 upper-level hours, at least 9 of which must be taken at UWF. Directed studies may not be used. Environmental Science majors may not earn this minor.
| EVR 2001 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| GEO 3372 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Physical Geology (+Lab) | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science (+Lab) | ||
| Choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Geography of Soils (+Lab) | ||
| Basic Hydrology (+Lab) | ||
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Environmental Law | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Any 3000/4000-level EVR, EVS, GEO, GIS, or GLY course | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 19-20 | |
Environmental Sustainability Minor
The minor in Environmental Science is offered as a micro-version of the B.S. in Environmental Science degree. The required courses represent a cross-section of the departmental offerings.
An Environmental Science Minor consists of 15 semester hours (sh); of the 12 upper-level hours, at least 9 of which must be taken at UWF. Directed studies may not be used. Environmental Science majors may not earn this minor.
| EVR 2001 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| Choose 4 from the following list of courses: | 12 | |
| Environmental Law | ||
| Conservation of Natural Resources | ||
| Environmental Science, Politics and Policy | ||
| Environmental Management & Planning | ||
| Community Engagement through Environmental Science | ||
| Environmental Aspects of Urban Growth | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Geographic Information Science Minor
Geographic Information Science is a computerized system that allows users to work with, interrelate, and analyze virtually all forms of spatial data for decision making. The program represents the latest technologies that are revolutionizing many disciplines, including geography, environmental sciences, archaeology, business, defense and intelligence, and public health/safety in the information age. Required courses have been carefully combined to reflect the real-world requirements needed for careers in the geospatial sciences.
| GIS 4035+L | Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing (+Lab) | 4 |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) | 4 |
| GIS 4048 | Applications in Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GIS 4102 | GIS Programming | 3 |
| GIS 4930 | Special Topics in Geographic Information Science | 3 |
| Plus choose one from the following two: | 3 | |
GIS 4905 | Directed Study | |
| GIS Internship | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Geographic Information Science Certificate
Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Veterans Affairs (VA) Certified? Yes
Semester Hours: 24
This GIS Certificate Program offered through UWF Online is designed to teach students, from novices to working professionals, both the highly in-demand technical skill of using industry-standard geospatial software as well as a strong conceptual foundation in Geographic Information Science. Geographic Information Systems is a computerized system that allows users to work with, interrelate, and analyze virtually all forms of spatial data for decision-making. The program provides a solid background in the fundamentals of geography and geospatial science that extends beyond the software. Students can expect to learn the latest geospatial technologies that are revolutionizing many disciplines, including geography, urban planning, environmental sciences, archaeology, business, defense and intelligence, information technology services, and public health/safety. The required courses and GIS internship have been carefully combined to reflect the real-world requirements needed for careers in the geospatial sciences. Students who successfully complete the 24-credit program with a 3.0 overall GPA will be awarded a certificate in Geographic Information Science. Students completing this program can expect to be marketable as GIS Technicians, GIS Analysts, and GIS Managers within various industries.
Offered completely online, our undergraduate GIS Certificate program is designed for non-degree-seeking working professionals seeking part-time education from a distance.
Undergraduate-level courses can be applied to the GIS foundational requirement for the MS in Geographic Information Science Administration program.
Prerequisites - Special Technology/Hardware/Skills Requirements for GIS:
- In order to participate in our online GIS courses, students must have access to their own laptop or personal computer, speakers, microphone or headset, and consistent broadband internet access (high-speed). A mouse is highly recommended for those using a laptop. Students can expect to use UWF Gmail email for course communications and the UWF Canvas eLearning platform to access courses that require a compatible web browser.
- Access to required software is provided through Argo Apps for GIS virtual machines. A GIS User training and quiz are required for access via MyUWF > SCOOP.
- Consistent access to the internet is required to participate in online courses. A high-speed internet connection is required for an optimal experience while using Argo Apps.
- Optionally, students may install ArcGIS Pro software locally which is used in all GIS certificate courses. Students' computers should meet the minimal hardware requirements for Esri ArcGIS Pro software (see the most current version of the software). Please note: ArcGIS Pro runs natively on Windows OS. Mac users can use ArcGIS Pro on Argo Apps or run ArcGIS Pro via Bootcamp.
- Previous knowledge or experience in GIS is not required but it's important to possess both Minimal Technology Skills and Requirements and Basic Computer Skills for GIS. This is a very technical program and we will not have time to teach basic skills.
- Certain aspects of GIS software require students to have sight and hand-eye coordination (certain abilities) to practice GIS and use the software (any GIS software). If you have a disability that impacts full participation in a course please contact Student Accessibility Resources at 850-474-2387 or by email, at sar@uwf.edu for additional support.
- All materials and communication will be conducted in the English language. A guide for GIS students on how to Get Help Faster is provided as part of the GIS User Training to demonstrate good communication in our online courses. Instructors may request a specific communication protocol for their courses which will be provided on the course syllabus or course site. Adhering to basic computer ethics and professionalism is expected.
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate Non-Degree Seeking Application.
- Current UWF undergraduate students interested in completing the GIS certificate are not required to complete the non-degree-seeking application but will need to contact the GIS academic advisor to review their degree audit and initiate the declaration of the certificate process.
- Submit a letter of intent demonstrating motivation and writing abilities to gisonline@uwf.edu. Discuss your interest in the field of GIS, why you chose to apply, and how your career goals match with the UWF online GIS Certificate.
- Students may transfer one class (3 or 4 credits) into the undergraduate GIS Certificate program providing the transfer criteria are met. The class must be an upper-level undergraduate class from a regionally accredited U.S. university. Email gisonline@uwf.edu an unofficial transcript and relevant course syllabi for consideration.
- Agree to possess the prerequisite skills, hardware, access, and abilities for GIS.
- International non-degree-seeking applicants must meet the English proficiency requirement established by the University.
Course Requirements
| Required Courses: | ||
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) | 4 |
| GIS 4006+L | Computer Cartography (+Lab) | 4 |
| GIS 4035+L | Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing (+Lab) | 4 |
| GIS 4102 | GIS Programming | 3 |
| GIS 4048 | Applications in Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GIS 4930 | Special Topics in Geographic Information Science | 3 |
| Choose from the following: | 3 | |
GIS 4905 | Directed Study | |
GIS 4944 | GIS Internship | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |