Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Environmental Science B.S.Soil, Water, & Climate
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
This major is for students interested in an interdisciplinary science education that prepares them to deal with environmental problems. The basic natural resources of land, air, and water are studied in the context of protecting and sustaining the environment. Students become knowledgeable about environmental issues and the science behind policy decisions.
Students must complete coursework in math and science, economics, humanities, communication, and applied technical aspects of environmental problems. The environmental science core draws courses from atmospheric science, soil science, hydrology, plant science, and geology.
Tracks include soil and water sciences (soil science, wetland science, water quality, and soil and water conservation); environmental monitoring and analysis (land resource analysis, environmental monitoring, and measurement); environmental management (environmental remediation and waste management, land-use management, precision management and information technology); and land and atmospheric sciences (climatology, biochemical cycling).
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Upper division students select one of four sub-plans in the major and an area of emphasis within that sub-plan. Students take 9 credits in their track and an additional 12 credits in their area of emphasis. All required courses must be taken A-F, and a grade of at least C- is required in all professional and area of emphasis courses.
Foundation Courses
BIOL 1009 - General Biology
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 1021 {Inactive}
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 1022 {Inactive}
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
ESPM 3131 - Environmental Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 1101W - Introductory College Physics I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
WRIT 1223 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
STAT 3011 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
APEC 1101 - Principles of Microeconomics
[SOCS, GP]
(4.0 cr)
or
ECON 1101 - Principles of Microeconomics
[SOCS, GP]
(4.0 cr)
Professional Courses
PMB 2022 - General Botany
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 1011 - Issues in the Environment
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 1051 {Inactive}
[ENVT]
(3.0 cr)
ES 1128 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
ESPM 1425 - Introduction to Weather and Climate
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
ESPM 3128 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
ESPM 4021W - Problem Solving: Environmental Review
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
ESPM 4096 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
ESPM 4128 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
FNRM 3114 - Hydrology and Watershed Management
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 1001 - Earth and Its Environments
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
SOIL 2125 - Basic Soil Science
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
19-21 credits are required.
Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Core Courses
BIOL 3407 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ENT 5241 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
SOIL 4511 - Field Study of Soils
(2.0 cr)
Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Focus
Land Resource Analysis
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
FNRM 3262 - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5462 - Advanced Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis
(4.0 cr)
·
GEOG 5565 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 4061W - Water Quality and Natural Resources
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
ESPM 3221 - Soil Conservation and Land-Use Management
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
Environmental Monitoring and Measurement
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
FNRM 5146 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 3002 - Climate Change and Human History
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis
(4.0 cr)
·
PLPA 3002 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3612W - Soil and Environmental Biology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
SOIL 3416 - Plant Nutrients in the Environment
(3.0 cr)
Environmental Management
19-21 credits are required.
Environmental Management Core Courses
ESPM 3221 - Soil Conservation and Land-Use Management
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3612W - Soil and Environmental Biology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
ESPM 4601 - Environmental Pollution
(3.0 cr)
Environmental Management Focus
Environmental Remediation and Waste Management
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
CEGE 3501 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
CHEM 2302 - Organic Chemistry II
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 4216 - Contaminant Hydrology
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 5601 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ENT 5241 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PMB 4121 - Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
(3.0 cr)
·
PUBH 6190 - Environmental Chemistry
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
Land-Use Management
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
FNRM 3262 - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
HORT 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4.0 cr)
·
LA 3204 - Holistic Landscape Ecology and Bioregional Practice
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5013 - Law and Urban Land Use
(1.5 cr)
·
SOIL 5555 - Wetland Soils
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
Precision Management/InformationTechnology
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
GEOG 5563 - Advanced Geographic Information Science
(3.0 cr)
·
IDSC 3001 - Information Systems & Digital Transformation
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
·
SOIL 3416 - Plant Nutrients in the Environment
(3.0 cr)
·
SOIL 4111 - Introduction to Precision Agriculture
(3.0 cr)
Honors
This is an honors sub-plan.
The elements students must fulfill to complete the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences Honors Program are listed below. For most students it comprises two semesters of the Honors Colloquia, an Honors Option, and the Honors Experience. The Honors Option provides an opportunity to explore honors classes from other programs, and is very flexible and can be adapted to many situations and contexts. Registration in honors courses requires admission to the Honors Program and college office approval.
Honors Courses
Students must take at least two semesters of AGRI 1000.
CFAN 1000H {Inactive}
(2.0 cr)
CFAN 3100H {Inactive}
(2.0-3.0 cr)
Individualized
The student chooses at least 21 credits in consultation with their adviser (or the major coordinator). The courses in the emphasis must be specified before the student starts taking them.
Land and Atmospheric Sciences
19-21 credits are required.
Land and Atmospheric Sciences Core Courses
BIOL 3407 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3612W - Soil and Environmental Biology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
PLPA 3002 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Land and Atmospheric Sciences Focus
Climatology Courses
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
EEB 4611 - Biogeochemical Processes
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 3262 - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5146 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 3002 - Climate Change and Human History
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 5423 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 5426 - Climatic Variations
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
Biogeochemical Cycling Courses
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
EEB 4609W - Ecosystem Ecology
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 4611 - Biogeochemical Processes
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5146 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PMB 4121 - Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
(3.0 cr)
Soil and Water Sciences
19-21 credits are required.
Soil and Water Sciences Focus
Students completing the soil science emphasis will be eligible to be licensed as a professional soil scientist.
Soil and Water Conservation
ESPM 3612W - Soil and Environmental Biology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
SOIL 4511 - Field Study of Soils
(2.0 cr)
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ESPM 4061W - Water Quality and Natural Resources
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 4601 - Environmental Pollution
(3.0 cr)
·
HORT 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4.0 cr)
·
SOIL 5555 - Wetland Soils
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
Soil Science
ESPM 3612W - Soil and Environmental Biology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
SOIL 4511 - Field Study of Soils
(2.0 cr)
-OR-
Water Quality
EEB 5601 - Limnology
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 4061W - Water Quality and Natural Resources
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ENT 4361 - Aquatic Insects
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 4601 - Environmental Pollution
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5153 - Forest Hydrology & Watershed Biogeochemistry
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 5108 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 5701 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HORT 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4.0 cr)
·
PUBH 6190 - Environmental Chemistry
(3.0 cr)
·
SOIL 5555 - Wetland Soils
(3.0 cr)
·
WRS 5101 - Water Policy
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1009/Biol 1009H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1101W/Phys 1107 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Econ 1101/1165 ApEc 1101/1101H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Econ 1101/1165 ApEc 1101/1101H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2301/Chem 2331H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1381/Math 1571/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 1425/Geog 1425 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3114/FNRM 5114 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 1001/ESci 1101/ESci 1005/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Soil 2125/Soil 5125 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3561/ Geog 5561 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3111/ESPM 5111 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3262/FNRM 5262 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3462/FNRM 5462 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3401W/5401W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3531/5531 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 3002/ESci 5102 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3531/5531 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3612W/Soil 5611 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3612W/Soil 5611 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2302/Chem 2332HChem 2304 |
Prerequisites: | Grade of at least C- in 2301 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3262/FNRM 5262 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3401W/5401W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5071/Hort 5071 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 1.5] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5555/Soil 5555 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3612W/Soil 5611 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EEB 4611/EEB 5611 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3262/FNRM 5262 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 3002/ESci 5102 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3401W/5401W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EEB 4611/EEB 5611 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3401W/5401W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3612W/Soil 5611 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5071/Hort 5071 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5555/Soil 5555 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3612W/Soil 5611 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5555/Soil 5555 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5071/Hort 5071 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5555/Soil 5555 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PA 5723/WRS 5101 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5071/Hort 5071 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5555/Soil 5555 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |