Apr 28, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science (BS)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus


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The Environmental Science degree prepares students for careers with specialization in water resources, earth systems, conservation and sustainability, analytical and geospatial methods, or agroecosystems.  Curriculum is designed so students will accomplish the following:

• Develop an understanding of the Earth as an integrated system and an appreciation for how humans and social systems shape our environment.

• Engage in impactful experiential learning opportunities to include undergraduate research and internships as well as laboratory, computer-based, and field methods.

• Add focused depth to their learning to target specific career fields with strong workforce demand and societal need.

 

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours


KBOR Statewide Transfer (SWT) Courses: https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/transfer-articulation.

English (Written Communication Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours


Communication (Oral Communication Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours


Math & Statistics (Quantitative Literacy Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours


Natural & Physical Sciences (Natural & Physical Sciences Outcomes): 4-5 Credit Hours


Choose 1 subject area which must include a lab.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social & Behavioral Sciences Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours


At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Arts & Humanities (Arts & Humanities Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours


At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Free Electives (Institutionally Designated Area): 6 Credit Hours


Includes ALL 100 and 200 level courses at K-State or in Transfer. 
Note: One course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. However, students must complete a total of 34-36 credit hours of general education courses.

For a Full Listing of K-State 100/200 level courses you may search those courses individually via the University Course Catalog.

TOTAL CREDITS: 34-36


Program Requirements: (10 credit hours)


Orientation: (1 credit hour)


DAS 101 or any other 1 credit orientation course

Outside Concentration: (9 credit hours)


Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for DAS) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

OR

Any 9 credit hour microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Overlays: ([9] credit hours)


May be filled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
  • Global Perspectives Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
  • US Multicultural Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]

Total Credits: 10


Program: (76 credit hours)


Fundamental Science and Math: (7 credit hours)


Courses including overlap with K-State Core (Calculus and Chemistry) total 14 credits

Environmental Science Degree Customization Areas


Natural Environmental Systems: (12 credit hours)


Students must complete one course from each group: Atmosphere, Biosphere, Geosphere, and Hydrosphere.

Individual Experiential Learning: (3 credit hours)


Students must complete 3 credits of an internship OR research course from those listed below. 

Humans and the Environment: (15 credit hours)


Students are required to take SOCIO 536 and one additional class from the Social Systems list, one class from the Ethics list, and two classes from the Human-Environment Interactions list. 

All three A&S overlays may be fulfilled through noted courses in this section.

Ethics: (3 credit hours)

Specialization: (15 credit hours)


Select 12 credits from one specialization and an additional 3 credits from any of the specialization lists.

These courses may not be counted toward fulfilling any other requirement within the degree other than the ouside concentration.

Total Credits: 76


Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120


Arts & Sciences common degree requirements for the BS are satisfied by the following:

Orientation: DAS 101 (listed in Program Requirements: Orientation)

Natural and Quantitative

  • Natural Science: BIOL 198 (listed in Environmental Foundations)
  • Quantitative: STAT 225 (listed in Fundamental Science and Math)
  • Additional at 300+: GEOG 508 (listed in Environmental Foundations)
  • Additional w/pre-req or 300+: Will be met with a course from the Specialization

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 

  • Fine Arts or Humanities: PHILO 295 or PHILO 595 (listed in Humans and the Environment: Ethics)
  • Social Science at 300+: SOCIO 536 (listed in Humans and the Environment: Social Systems)

Overlays (suggested courses to meet each)

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay: PHILO 295 or PHILO 595 (listed in Humans and the Environment: Ethics)
  • Global Perspectives Overlay: ANTH 310 (listed in Humans and the Environment: Human-Environment Interactions)
  • US Multicultural Overlay: GEOG 370 (listed in Humans and the Environment: Social Systems)

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