Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Science

student taking a water and soil sample next to a creek

 

The environmental science undergraduate certificate program prepares science majors or graduates for employment in the environmental field. It refines skills such as:

  • Field collecting
  • Water sampling
  • Soil sampling
  • Reporting and scientific writing
  • Regulatory policies
  • Chemical and analytical methods
  • Research methods

You must be in a degree program in the natural sciences, including biology, chemistry, geoscience, or physics, OR have a four year degree in one of those areas. Once admitted, you should address any prerequisites (listed below). Some of these can be taken simultaneously with the required courses.

For further information or to apply, contact the School of Natural Sciences at (812) 941-2284.

Certificate Information

25-28 credit hours
Minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0
In-Person

For more information specific to you and your situation, meet with your academic advisor and find your ideal pathway to complete your degree on time.

All courses listed below are 3 credit hours and require a grade of C or better unless otherwise noted.

Bulletin

Admission Requirements

The following courses are to be completed before admission into the certificate program.

Biology

  • BIOL-L 101 - Intro to Biological Sciences 1 (5 credit hours)
  • BIOL-L 102 - Intro to Biological Sciences 2 (5 credit hours)
  • BIOL-L 211 - Molecular Biology

Chemistry

  • CHEM-C 105/125 - Principles of Chemistry I/Experimental Chemistry I (5 credit hours)
  • CHEM-C 106/126 - Principles of Chemistry II/Experimental Chemistry II (5 credit hours)
  • CHEM-C 341/343 - Organic Chemistry I (5 credit hours)

Geoscience

  • GEOL-G 100 - General Geology (5 credit hours)
    or GEOG-G 107 - Physical Sys of Environment

Mathematics

  • MATH-M 122 - College Algebra or MATH-M 125 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics

Certificate Requirements

Biology
Choose a total of 8 credit hours from the courses listed below.

  • BIOL-L 473 / 474 - Ecology (5 credit hours)
  • MICR-M 420 - Environmental Microbiology (5 credit hours)
  • BIOL-L 303 - Field Biology
  • BIOL-L 343 - Applied Conservation Biology (5 credit hours)
  • BIOL-L 490 - Independent Student in Environmental Biology (1-6 credit hours)

Chemistry
Complete one of the three courses listed below.

  • CHEM-C 303 - Environmental Chemistry
  • CHEM-C 333 - Environmental Chemistry Lab (2 credit hours)
  • CHEM-C 318 - Spectrochemistry and Separations
    (CHEM-C 317 will not be necessary as a prerequisite for C 318.)

Geoscience
Complete either of the courses listed below.

  • GEOG-G 338 - Geographic Information Science
  • GEOL-G 451 - Elements of Hydrogeology

Physics or Internship

  • PHYS-P 310 - Environmental Physics
    or COAS-S 399 - Internship or job experience

Additional Requirements

  • Note: PHYS-P 201 & P 202 or PHYS-P 221 & P 222 may be required if the student chooses to complete Environmental Physics (PHYS-P 310) as part of the certificate requirement.

Careers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), undergraduate certificates are a great way to fast-track your career in an affordable way.

When time and money are a major concern, certificates allow recipients to gain skills in their field of choice in a relatively short period of time, usually less than a year, and for a price that won’t break the bank.

Many of IU Southeast’s certificate programs are stackable – meaning that you can use the credit hours earned for your certificate toward an associate or bachelor degree program.

Your brighter future begins here