Phone: (845) 257-3760
Location: Science Hall, Room 105
Web address: www.newpaltz.edu/envscience
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program is administered by the Department of Geology and focuses on the environmental aspects of geology, chemistry and biology. Through formal courses, laboratories, and research projects, students develop an awareness of the geological, chemical and biological processes that impact society and the environment. Both a major and a minor in Environmental Science are offered.
In the major program, a sophomore-level survey course, EGS370 Introduction to Environmental Science & Engineering, draws on the foundation courses to bring together a truly interdisciplinary view of environmental science. Students will see how the different sciences must be combined to understand and address environmental problems. Particular emphasis will be placed on the roles of chemistry, geology, and environmental engineering. In the senior year, students will engage in a full-year Senior Research Project under the supervision of a faculty mentor or an experienced regional scientist. During the spring term of the senior year, oral presentations of student research projects will be made in a Senior Seminar. This seminar will also feature guest scientists who will relate their own work in environmental science.
The EGS major program is a rigorous four-year sequence in science and mathematics, so it is essential that interested students seek advising early in their college studies. First-year students should take GLG201 Physical Geology and GLG211 Physical Geology Laboratory, CHE201 General Chemistry I and CHE211 General Chemistry I Lab, and MAT251 Calculus I in their first semester, followed by PHY201 General Physics 1 and PHY211 Physics 1 Laboratory, CHE202 General Chemistry II and CHE212 General Chemistry II Lab, and MAT252 Calculus II in their second semester.
Transfer students should complete the above first-year requirements before entering SUNY New Paltz and should additionally take one year of calculus-based physics, a course in statistics, a laboratory course in historical geology, and organic chemistry.
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses required for the Environmental Science major or minor.
This information is provided as a resource for students to aid in selecting a major or degree track. Students should, however, obtain a current plan of study form and consult with an advisor before selecting a program or enrolling in coursework. Complete advising guidelines may be obtained from the Department of Geology or by consultation with the Director of the Environmental Science program, Prof. Shafiul Chowdhury (chowdhus@newpaltz.edu, (845) 257-2618).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO340 | Ecology | 4 |
| CHE201 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE202 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE211 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHE212 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHE303 | Introduction to Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHE306 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHE318 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE407 | Instrumental Techniques | 4 |
| EGS courses | See descriptions below | |
| GEO341 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GLG201 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| GLG211 | Physical Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| GLG339 | Natural Resources and Energy | 3 |
| GLG346 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 |
| GLG407 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
| GLG475 | Geology Research Project 1 | 3 |
| GLG476 | Geology Research Project 2 | 3 |
| MAT241 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| MAT251 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT252 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHY201 | General Physics 1 | 3 |
| PHY202 | General Physics 2 | 3 |
| PHY211 | Physics 1 Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY212 | General Physics 2 Lab | 1 |
EGS370. Introduction to Environmental Science & Engineering. 4 Credits.
A survey course covering the broad scope of environmental science and engineering, including air pollution, water pollution, water quality control, environmental chemistry, global atmospheric change, solid waste management and resource recovery. Case studies and outside speakers. COURSE FEE.
Attributes:
- Liberal Arts
Restrictions:
- Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
EGS475. Environmental Sciences Research Project 1. 3 Credits.
Students will undertake a two semester research project, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, focusing on a detailed examination of a real world environmental problem. The project will culminate in a written document and an oral presentation in the Senior Seminar.
Attributes:
- Liberal Arts
Restrictions:
- Must have the following level: Undergraduate
- Must be enrolled in the following class: Senior
- Must be enrolled in the following field(s) of study (major, minor or concentration):
- Environmental Geochem Science (519)
- Geology (510)
EGS476. Environmental Science Research Project 2. 3 Credits.
Continuation of EGS475.
Attributes:
- Liberal Arts
Prerequisites:
- EGS475 Minimum Grade of C-
EGS477. Senior Seminar in Environmental Science. 1 Credit.
a series of presentations by senior students and by invited speakers. In the course, students nearing graduation present the findings of their senior project. On alternate weeks, invited professionals from the environmental sciences present relevant aspect of their work.
Attributes:
- Liberal Arts
Restrictions:
- Must have the following level: Undergraduate
- Must not be enrolled in one of the following classes: Sophomore, Freshman
- Must be enrolled in the following field(s) of study (major, minor or concentration):
- Environmental Geochem Science (519)
- Geology (510)
Prerequisites:
- EGS475 Minimum Grade of C-
Kara Belinsky
Associate Professor of Biology
Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst
belinskk@newpaltz.edu
Shafiul H. Chowdhury, Program Director
Associate Professor of Geology
Ph.D., Western Michigan
chowdhus@newpaltz.edu
845-257-2618
Preeti Dhar
Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
dharp@newpaltz.edu
Dan Freedman
Dean, School of Science and Engineering
Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
freedmad@newpaltz.edu
Megan Ferguson
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
fergusom@newpaltz.edu
Eric Keeling
Associate Professor of Biology
Ph.D., University of Montana
keelinge@newpaltz.edu
Lawrence McGlinn
Associate Professor of Geography & Environmental Studies
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
mcglinnl@newpaltz.edu
John Rayburn
Professor of Geology
Ph.D., Binghamton University
rayburnj@newpaltz.edu
David Richardson
Professor of Biology
Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park
richardsond@newpaltz.edu
Frederick Vollmer
Professor and Chair of Geology
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
vollmerf@newpaltz.edu
