Environmental Sciences

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Making Sustainability a Way of Life

The goals of the environmental sciences major are the following:

  • To prepare students for graduate school and employment
  • To give students a solid conceptual foundation and skill sets to address the current global environmental challenges 
  • To prepare students to incorporate sustainability as a way of life and live as environmentally literate citizens
  • ESP offers three areas of concentration: graduate school, pre-health, and dual-degree engineering. Students will receive a sound STEM-based conceptual foundation in soil, water, and atmospheric science, as well as computer and technological competency aligned towards either professional careers or an advanced degree path.

Students must complete all core requirements and major cognate courses, as well as 12 approved electives, with a grade of “C” or better. Upon graduation, a minimum of 120 course credits must be completed.

Contact Us

Environmental and Health Sciences Department
350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30314

Maria Loftin, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 404-270-6013 | marialoftin@spelman.edu 
On Campus Location
Albro-Falconer-Manley Science Center, Room 342

Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday - Office Closed

Meet Our Faculty

Contact Info

Environmental and Health Sciences

350 Spelman Lane, SW
Atlanta, GA 30314

(404) 270-6013
ehsdepartment@spelman.edu

Mon. - Thurs. 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Fri. - Office Closed

Requirements

Pre-med and Graduate Concentration Areas

Pre-Health Careers Track | Graduate School Track

Core Courses

  • ES 211- Intro to Environmental Science and Lab
  • ES 252 – Introduction to Geosciences and Lab
  • ES 251 –Air and Atmospheric Sciences and Lab
  • ES 312 – Water Resources and Management
  • ES 315 - Sustainable Development
  • ES 452 - Applications to Environmental Science - a capstone experience
  • ES 435 – Environmental Science Research
  • ES 425 - Global Environmental Change

Students are encouraged to take ES232 – Introduction to GIS as environmental elective.

Download Electives List

Dual Degree Environmental Engineering Concentration Area
ES\Dual Degree Engineering Track
  • ES 211 - Intro to Environmental Science and Lab
  • ES 252 – Introduction to Geosciences and Lab
  • ES 251 – Air and Atmospheric Sciences and Lab
  • ES 312 – Water Resources and Management
  • ES 315 - Sustainable Development
  • ES 425 - Global Environmental Change
Students are encouraged to take ES232 – Introduction to GIS as environmental elective
Environmental Science Minor
A total of six courses (24 credits), are required for the environmental sciences minor, which include a minimum of three environmental science courses, and three courses selected from the approved lists of elective courses, and a capstone Senior Research Project in Environmental Sciences.

The Minor consists of three sets of requirements:

Core Requirements (three courses required)
Students must complete the following courses:
  • ES 211 - Introduction to Environmental Science and Lab (4)    
  • ES 251 – Air and Atmospheric Sciences (4)
  • ES 252 – Introduction to Geosciences (4)
Three (3) elective courses
The courses below are approved to meet the requirements for the environmental sciences minor. They are subject to revision and this list may be updated when new courses are offered. Courses not listed may also be counted for the minor subject to Dean’s approval.  Courses cannot be double-counted within the major/minor.

  • ES 200 – Environmental Health (4)
  • ES215 – Introduction to Toxicology (4)
  • ES 312–Water Resources and Management (4)
  • ES 425 – Global Environmental Changes (4)
  • ES 250 – Food and Energy (4)
  • ES499 – Independent Studies (4)
  • BIO 110 – Population Biology (4)
  • ES 403 – Environmental Science Seminar (2)

What can I do With This Major?

  • Green Infrastructure Specialist: Design and implement sustainable urban development projects that incorporate green spaces, renewable energy systems, and stormwater management solutions.
  • Carbon Footprint Analyst: Evaluate and advise companies on reducing their carbon emissions through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption, and carbon offset projects.
  • Urban Ecologist: Study the interactions between urban environments and natural ecosystems, focusing on biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure planning, and enhancing urban resilience.
  • Circular Economy Consultant: Work with businesses to transition from linear production models to circular economies, promoting waste reduction, resource reuse, and product lifecycle sustainability.
  • Environmental Entrepreneur: Start a business focused on innovative solutions for environmental challenges, such as sustainable agriculture technologies, eco-friendly products, or environmental platforms.
  • Environmental Data Scientist: Analyze large datasets to identify trends, predict environmental impacts, and optimize resource management strategies using advanced statistical and computational techniques.
  • Environmental Justice Advocate: Advocate for communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues, addressing inequities in access to clean air, water, and healthy living conditions through policy advocacy and community engagement.
  • Renewable Energy Project Developer: Plan, finance and oversee the implementation of renewable energy projects such as solar farms, wind turbines, and biomass facilities to promote sustainable energy generation.
  • Remote Sensing Specialist: Use satellite imagery and geographic information systems (GIS) to monitor and assess environmental changes, such as deforestation, land use conversion, and natural disaster impacts.
  • Green Business Consultant: Provide expertise in eco-friendly practices and green supply chain management,

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