Majors
The School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Science is proud to offer three Bachelor's degree programs. For more information, see degree plans, course descriptions, costs of attendance, scholarship information, student advisement, and program information and links below.
Environmental Science B.S.The multidisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science prepares graduates for careers at local, state and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, and environmental consulting firms. Additionally, graduates of this program are prepared to continue on to graduate studies in order to pursue research and scholarship opportunities. The program core focuses on key environmental issues while the restricted electives allow the students to choose to focus on areas of interest to the individual student. |
Marine Biology B.S.The School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences offers a B.S. in Marine Biology, which is designed to prepare students who are seeking a career or graduate studies in marine biology and related marine science disciplines. Undergraduates in this major will develop an understanding of the biology of marine organisms and the biological and physical processes that affect these organisms, their populations, and their coastal and oceanic ecosystems. The curriculum takes full advantage of the Rio Grande Valley’s unique physical location at the intersection of temperate and tropical climatic divides, and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Unifying laboratory/field courses with the unique environments of South Texas directly engage students in the discovery process and in analyzing and interpreting data. The Marine Biology program requires 120 hours of coursework including a major-specific marine biology core and supporting courses aimed at interrelating the principles of physics, geology and geophysics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology to the marine environment. Upper-level electives include Coral Reef Ecology, Marine Zoology, Ichthyology, Marine Animal Field Studies, as well as supervised independent research courses. |
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems B.S.The multidisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS) serves students interested in improving the sustainability of modern food and agricultural systems. This major prepares graduates to understand the interdisciplinary and systems-based aspects of sustainability and provides them with the knowledge, leadership skills, and experiences required to excel in agricultural and food systems professions. A degree in SAFS prepares students for a broad range of careers related to agricultural production (including plant, animal, and biofuels) and food system management, rural and urban community services, education and development, as well as careers in agricultural, environmental, and economic policy and analysis. Employers may include private industry, local, state and federal government, public service agencies, non-profit organizations, nature preserves, community organizations, or any other group that aims to produce, distribute, or improve access to food, to improve the quality and/or sustainability of food or food systems, to improve human health related to diet and nutrition, to work towards social justice related to food access or hunger, or to develop policy or social structures related to food or food systems. The SAFS major also prepares students for graduate studies in a wide range of fields related to agriculture, food, water, and energy systems. |