The environmental sciences minor has been developed to encourage and facilitate studies in environmental sciences by students completing degrees in the other science and engineering disciplines. The environmental sciences (ES) minor requires:
- completion of a set of courses in the core sciences,
- two introductory courses dealing with the environment, and
- three or more upper-level environmental sciences courses, as described.
PAIRING MAJOR WITH THE ES MINOR
Many of the most creative and productive advances in environmental sciences in recent years have come from scientists trained in traditional disciplines (biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and engineering) who have devoted themselves to the study of environmental problems. Completion of the degree requirements of a traditional discipline provides depth and rigor that, when supplemented with additional academic training in environmental science, can be applied to professional work in a variety of environmental subjects. A faculty advisor is assigned to each student in the environmental sciences minor program to assist in planning their academic program and to approve the choice of courses to satisfy the minor. Faculty advisors are available in the following areas:
Biological Processes
Response of ecosystems to change, microbial degradation of pollutants, biogeochemical cycling of greenhouse gases. Illustrative majors: Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Biochemical Engineering.
Faculty advisor: Sarah Preheim
Physical Processes
Erosion of hillslopes, rivers, and coastlines; sediment production, transport, and fate; groundwater, movement of contaminant plumes; oceanography; atmospheric physics; aerosol formation; global warming. Illustrative majors: Civil Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Faculty advisor: Ciaran Harman
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental fate of pollutants, water, and wastewater treatment, geochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, ozone depletion, acid rain. Illustrative majors: Chemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering.
Faculty advisor: Alan Stone
Environmental Systems
Environmental modeling, risk assessment, environmental systems design, and pollution control strategies. Illustrative majors: Civil Engineering and Applied Mathematics and Statistics.
Faculty advisor: Ben Hobbs
The information below describes the academic requirements for students entering JHU as degree-seeking students in Fall 2024. Students who entered JHU as degree-seeking students prior to Fall 2024 should view the appropriate archived catalogue.
MINOR PREREQUISITES
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AS.020.151 | General Biology I | 3 |
| AS.030.101 | Introductory Chemistry I | 3 |
| AS.030.102 | Introductory Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
| AS.030.105 | Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| AS.030.106 | Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II 1 | 1 |
| AS.030.205 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| AS.110.108 | Calculus I (Physical Sciences & Engineering) | 4 |
| AS.110.109 | Calculus II (For Physical Sciences and Engineering) | 4 |
| One additional math course from the following: | 4 | |
| Linear Algebra | ||
or AS.110.212 | Honors Linear Algebra | |
| Calculus III | ||
or AS.110.211 | Honors Multivariable Calculus | |
| Differential Equations and Applications | ||
| Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | ||
| AS.171.101 | General Physics: Physical Science Major I | 4 |
| or AS.171.107 | General Physics for Physical Sciences Majors (AL) | |
| AS.173.111 | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
- 1
Students who have exam credits for Chemistry I and the lab must take AS.030.103 Applied Chemical Equilibrium and Reactivity w/lab rather than AS.030.102 Introductory Chemistry II and AS.030.106 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II.
MINOR REQUIREMENTS
The minor in Environmental Studies requires 5 courses and at least 14 credits. A grade of C- or higher is required for all courses. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted.
Required Introductory Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete two courses from the following: | 5-6 | |
| The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Geology | ||
| The Dynamic Earth Laboratory | ||
| Environmental Biology and Ecology | ||
| Environmental Engineering Chemistry - Current and Emerging Topics | ||
| Total Credits | 5-6 | |
Upper-Level Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete three courses from the following: | 9-10 | |
| Aqueous Geochemistry | ||
| Geobiology | ||
| Sedimentary Geology | ||
| Environmental Engineering Principles and Applications | ||
| Environmental Hazards and Health Risks | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Engineering Microbiology | ||
| Environmental Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Environmental and Analytical Organic Chemistry | ||
| Aquatic and Biofluid Chemistry | ||
| Physical and Chemical Processes I | ||
| Hazardous Waste Engineering and Management | ||
| Biological Processes for Water & Wastewater Treatment | ||
| Total Credits | 9-10 | |