Environmental Science: Conservation and Restoration Ecology (BS)
Biodiversity at local, regional, and global scales currently faces unprecedented threats from pressures including climate change, invasive species, and habitat alteration. Our conservation and restoration program prepares tomorrow's leaders to develop and implement effective strategies to protect and restore natural ecosystems. Students explore ecological principles, how humans interact with and impact ecosystems, and methods of repairing environmental damage.
CURRICULUM
Students studying Conservation and Restoration develop a solid foundation in environmental science, environmental economics and policy, and the ways that society can effectively enhance biodiversity.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
| ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Natural Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| ENVS 218 | Biodiversity & Biogeography | 3 |
| ENVS 320 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| ENVS 321 | Conservation Biology Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 330 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 331 | Restoration Ecology Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 383 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| Justice and Ethics Choice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
| Economics Choice | ||
| ENVS 335 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
| or ECON 328 | Environmental Economics | |
| Engaged Learning Choice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
| Bird Conservation and Ecology | ||
| Energy and The Environment | ||
| Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Natural History of Belize | ||
| Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | ||
| Environmental Research | ||
| Environmental Internship | ||
| Capstone Choice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Integrative Seminar | ||
| Independent Environmental Research (Capstone) | ||
| Environmental Internship (Capstone) | ||
| Electives | 9 | |
See designated elective categories below | ||
| Total Hours | 69 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Society, Ethics, and Justice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Journalism | ||
| Gender, Health & Environment | ||
| Climate and History | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| North American Environmental History | ||
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
| Climate Change and Human Health | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | ||
| Human Dimensions of Conservation | ||
| Environmental Research (with SES approval) | ||
| Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | ||
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
| Directed Readings (with SES approval) | ||
| Public Speaking & Critical Thinking | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Environmental Advocacy | ||
| Guerilla Media | ||
| Digital Sustainability | ||
| Nature in Literature | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Environmental Psychology | ||
| Science, Technology, & Society | ||
| Global Inequalities | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| The Sociology and Politics of Food | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
| Theology and Ecology | ||
| Policy, Economics, and Resource Management | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
| Introduction to Public Health | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | ||
| Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | ||
| Water Law & Policy | ||
| Energy Law & Policy | ||
| Food Systems Analysis | ||
| Industrial Ecology | ||
| Introduction to the Circular Economy | ||
| Ecological Economics | ||
| Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | ||
| Climate Change and Human Health | ||
| Sustainable Business Management | ||
| Sustainability Management in the Global Context | ||
| Human Dimensions of Conservation | ||
| Conservation Economics | ||
| Ecological Risk Assessment | ||
| Environmental Research (with SES approval) | ||
| Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | ||
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
| Directed Readings (with SES approval) | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Globalization and Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Managing People and Organizations | ||
| Global Environmental Politics | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Plants and Civilization | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Soil Ecology | ||
| Climate & Climate Change | ||
| Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
| Bird Conservation and Ecology | ||
| Energy and The Environment | ||
| Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
| Winter Ecology | ||
| Invasive Species | ||
| Sustainable Agriculture | ||
| Agroecosystems | ||
| Food Systems Analysis | ||
| Natural History of Belize | ||
| Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | ||
| Field Ornithology | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Advanced GIS Applications | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Introduction to Global Health | ||
| Principles of Ecotoxicology | ||
| Applied Environmental Statistics | ||
| Ecological Risk Assessment | ||
| Environmental Research (with SES approval) | ||
| Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | ||
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
| Directed Readings (with SES approval) | ||
| The Human Ecological Footprint | ||
| People and Conservation | ||
BIOL, CHEM, PHYS 300-level courses (with SES approval) | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
| ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 218 |
Biodiversity & Biogeography or Conservation Biology or Conservation Biology Lab or Restoration Ecology or Restoration Ecology Lab or Human Dimensions of Conservation |
3 |
| Justice & Ethics Choice | 3 | |
| Society, Ethics, & Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Engaged Learning Choice | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 335 or ECON 328 |
Ecological Economics or Environmental Economics |
3 |
| ENVS 218 |
Biodiversity & Biogeography or Conservation Biology or Conservation Biology Lab or Restoration Ecology or Restoration Ecology Lab or Human Dimensions of Conservation |
3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 218 |
Biodiversity & Biogeography or Conservation Biology or Conservation Biology Lab or Restoration Ecology or Restoration Ecology Lab or Human Dimensions of Conservation |
3 |
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| Capstone Choice | 3 | |
| Policy, Economics, & Resource Management Elective | 3 | |
| Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 69 | |
School of Environmental Sustainability Graduation Requirements
All SES students are required to complete a foreign language requirement and a writing intensive requirement. The SES language requirement can be fulfilled by 1) earning college credit at the 102-level or above; or 2) demonstrating proficiency via the SES foreign language proficiency examination. The SES writing intensive requirement is fulfilled by successfully completing two Loyola WI courses (max of one per semester). Writing intensive courses have a “W” in the section number.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Explain fundamental connections among ecological processes that are the basis of unity and diversity of life.
- Analyze ecological and societal data to apply best management practices in conservation and restoration ecology.
- Synthesize the social, historical, economic, political, and biological causes, consequences, and solutions to our current biodiversity crisis.
- Develop and express a personal philosophy that values protecting and restoring our global bicultural diversity and vital ecosystems.
SES Shared Learning Outcomes
All SES majors share the following Program Learning Objectives, in addition to their unique major-specific Program Learning Objectives:
1. Articulate the foundational principles of natural and social sciences and humanities essential to solving environmental problems.
2. Critically evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information relating to environmental topics.
3. Employ knowledge and skills to design and implement solutions that contribute to a just and sustainable world.
4. Exemplify the values of environmental and social justice through actions to care for our common home and one another.