Program Details
Integrated Environmental Sciences BS
Bachelor of ScienceLongwood University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The integrated environmental sciences major at Longwood provides an interdisciplinary perspective to develop citizen leaders who are equipped to understand complex environmental issues. The major provides strong foundational knowledge in natural and social sciences and heavily emphasizes practical skills and integrated critical thinking throughout the curriculum. Students will receive training that is appropriate preparation for graduate studies or careers in research, teaching, industry, government, or nonprofit organizations. The major requires core competency courses in life sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, and social sciences. Additional coursework emphasizes the development of quantitative and communication skills. The hallmark of the curriculum is the integrative courses that are required throughout each year of coursework, bringing together the core competency knowledge and skills to engage in critical thinking about environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. In addition, students must choose a specialization in one of the core competency areas to complete advanced elective courses. The Integrated Environmental Sciences (IES) Major is a four-year BS degree program. Therefore, a transfer student can expect to spend a minimum of three years within the IES program. A student planning to transfer to Longwood's IES program is encouraged to contact the Chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences for questions about the student's transfer plans.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | This program offers many opportunities for students to engage in research and practical hands-on experiences in the laboratory and in the field. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students should complete introductory environmental science and introductory biology.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Majors in this program can concentrate in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, or Water Resources. Students can increase their skills by adding a minor in Geographic Information Sciences. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | All students in this program complete an internship or research experience. Recent graduates have continued their studies in Masters and Doctoral programs or found employment with environmental consulting firms, state and federal agencies, and private industries. |
Program Credit Requirements
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Longwood University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | If you earn a transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) from one of the Virginia community colleges or Richard Bland College and you are admitted to Longwood, you are guaranteed completion of all Foundation-level courses as well as the Integrating World Languages Perspectives-level course associated with Civitae (Longwood’s core curriculum program). |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | High school students who have earned an associate's degree concurrent with high school graduation are not eligible for guaranteed admission. Such students are considered freshman applicants with transfer credit. Those students completing transfer associate's degrees, upon receipt of official transcript demonstrating completion of the GAA requirements, will be awarded a waiver for lower-level Longwood University Civitae Core courses, with the exception of enrolling in ENGL 265, The Writing and Rhetoric of Citizenship. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | http://www.longwood.edu/registrar/transfer-of-credits/transfer-equivalency-system/ |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Longwood is a mid-sized university where students enjoy the highest percentage of classes taught by full-time professors in Virginia and a residential academic community that offers students the full university experience. Class sizes are smaller than average--our Civitae Core Curriculum classes are capped at 25 students--throughout our more than 100 majors, minors, and concentrations. With seven on-campus residence halls and two university-managed apartment complexes, students live, learn, and grow together in a true community. Opportunities for students to be involved are the hallmark of the Longwood experience. From service organizations and Greek life to club sports and a long list of clubs based on interests and activities, there is something for everyone at Longwood. Each semester, an involvement fair helps students find organizations that are the right fit for them to make their time at Longwood even more meaningful. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Transfer students may choose the catalog in effect at the time they enroll or the one that applies to continuous full-time students at their class level. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | New students join the catalog year in effect during their first matriculating semester. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Students transferring from an institution with a transfer agreement are guaranteed admission to Longwood when they have finished their transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students who are admitted prior to earning the transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and complete the degree before enrolling at Longwood also will receive the articulation benefits upon submission of an official transcript. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree Integrated Environmental Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Environmental Sciences and Sustainability | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Environmental Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a STEM Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19-2041.01 | Climate Change Policy Analysts | Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.00 | Compliance Officers | Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-1041.06 | Coroners | Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-1041.08 | Customs Brokers | Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-1041.01 | Environmental Compliance Inspectors | Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 19-2041.02 | Environmental Restoration Planners | Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-1053.00 | Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-4042.00 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-2041.00 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.03 | Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 19-4071.00 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.04 | Government Property Inspectors and Investigators | Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 19-2041.03 | Industrial Ecologists | Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.07 | Regulatory Affairs Specialists | Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
Cost To Complete