Environmental Science, University of West Florida
Program Design & Assessment
Overview
The UWF Environmental Science degree program includes two tracks (Natural Science and Environmental Management) that are the only undergraduate degrees awarded by the department.
Impetus
Environmental Science/Studies at UWF has historically been rooted in the discipline of Geography and has been affiliated with a variety of departments since the mid 1970s. The current two tracks (Natural Science and Environmental Management) reflect the historical dual emphasis on environmental science and environmental policy.
Program Goals
Our program learning outcomes are divided into five reals (Content, Critical Thinking, Communication, Integrity/Values, and Project Management) and include items such as demonstration of content knowledge in geography, geology, and environmental science; ability to discuss key global and local environmental issues; application of research models and techniques in the geosciences; demonstration of effective technical writing; analyze complex ethical situations regarding human-environment interactions and design appropriate solutions; and design and execute projects in a systematic and timely manner.
Alumni Careers
Potential career paths include research scientists (often after appropriate graduate study), environmental regulators at state and federal level, GIS technicians and managers, urban and regional planners, and utilities.
Students have pursued a broad spectrum of careers, including working at the National Zoo, county appraiser's office, and PhD candidates in Oceanography.
Program Assessment
Program assessment has been less than rigorous; the new/current chair is working to resolve that issue.
Courses and Sequencing
Entry into the program
Physical Geography (and Lab); Physical Geology (and Lab)Core courses
Weather and Climate/Lab;Geography of Soils/Lab (Prerequisite: Chemistry I/Lab);
Basic Hydrology/Lab;
Landscape Biogeography/Lab (Prerequisite: Botany/Lab);
Environmental Writing;
Geostatistics (Prerequisite: Elements of Statistics);
Cartographic Skills/Lab;
Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing/Lab (Prerequisite: Cartographic Skills);
Intro to GIS/Lab
Electives
Students are required to take 22 credits (seven courses) of electives, chosen from the following list:
The following courses are electives in the Environmental Management track:
Conservation of Natural Resources;
Principles of Environmental Economics;
Coastal Morphology and Processes;
Environemntal Geology/Lab;
Applications in GIS;
Methods and Techniques in Environmental Resource Management and Planning;
Land-use Management;
Environmental Aspects of Urban Growth;
Seminar in Environmental Issues;
Environmental Law;
Environmental Impact Assessment;
Practicum in Environmental Studies
Capstone
Senior Seminar
Other requirements or key features
Students may also complete a Certificate in GIS