Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental and Soil Sciences Major, BS in Environmental and Soil Sciences – Off-Road Vehicle Technology Concentration


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Advisor
Ayers

Many human activities adversely impact soil, water, and environmental quality, and there is a constant need for experts in the technologies required to collect sound information and to provide food, fiber, and shelter in an environmentally-sound manner. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Soil Sciences provides students with a strong grounding in basic sciences or engineering technology to prepare them for a broad range of possible careers. Students in this program choose between two general thrusts: Science and Engineering Technology.

The science thrust provides options for three concentrations, Soil Science, Environmental Science, and Conservation Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability. All provide a very strong basis in the natural sciences, as well as applied areas such as ecology, soil sciences, and natural resource policy. Students also build expertise with modern technologies such as geographical information systems, global positioning systems, and computer applications in natural resource management. Graduates are prepared to work in a wide variety of interesting and challenging career paths and to work with a broad variety of other professionals to solve complex problems. Examples of potential careers include soil and environmental specialists and scientists; state and federal regulatory agency work; private consulting in environmental and agricultural areas; and working with non-governmental organizations with interests in agriculture, environment, and natural resources. Students receiving this degree are also very competitive for placement in graduate programs in environmental and agricultural sciences and technology, as well as law school.

The engineering technology thrust has four concentration options: Agricultural Systems Technology, Construction Science Technology, Land Surveying, and Off-Road Vehicle Technology. These engineering technology concentrations are applied programs highly focused on specific technical areas, and are designed to provide the skills required to manage the sophisticated technological systems increasingly essential in today’s world. The four concentrations all provide a strong basic science foundation, and add coursework designed to create programs of study emphasizing the application of technology in today’s world. Coursework in economics and the management of a small business are also included, along with oral and written communication. The construction technology concentration leads to a Minor in Business Administration. While these programs provide a rigorous background in math and science and include courses in engineering, they differ from programs offered in the College of Engineering and College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (Biosystems Engineering) leading to B.S. in Engineering, and ultimately to registration as a Professional Engineer. The engineering technology concentrations are less theoretical, more applied, and more focused towards specific industries.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Soil Sciences • Environmental and Soil Sciences Major • Off-Road Vehicle Technology Concentration


The Off-Road Vehicle Technology concentration is designed to provide a strong background in engine and vehicle performance analysis, as well as an understanding and appreciation for natural resource environmental concerns. Knowledge of the fundamental technologies will be acquired, including fabrication, engines, vehicle performance evaluation, CAD, GIS/GPS, and instrumentation. Applications include military, agricultural, forestry, construction, and recreational off-road vehicles.

First Year  Hours Credit
BIOL 111 *, BIOL 112 * or GEOL 101 *, GEOL 102 * 8
CHEM 120 *, CHEM 130 * 8
ENGL 101 *, ENGL 102 * 6
1MATH 151 *, MATH 152 * 6
2Social Sciences Elective * 3
   
Second Year  
CMST 210 * or CMST 240 * 3
AGNR 290  3
AREC 201 * or ECON 201 * 4
PHYS 221 * 4
BSET 202  3
2Arts and Humanities Elective * 3
ESS 210  4
STAT 201 * 3
FWF 250 * 3
3Technical Elective 3
   
Third Year  
BSET 326 , BSET 412  6
2Cultures and Civilizations Electives * 6
ENGL 295 * or ENGL 360 * 3
ESS 324  3
FORS 321 * 3
3Technical Electives 9
   
Fourth Year  
2Arts and Humanities Elective * 3
BSET 414 , BSET 432 , BSET 434 , BSET 452 , BSET 462 , BSET 474  18
GEOG 410  3
3Technical Electives 6
   Total 124
   
* Meets University General Education Requirement .
1 MATH 141 *, MATH 142 * (or honors equivalents) may be taken for students interested in possibly shifting to an engineering major.
2 Choose from the University General Education list  after consultation with an advisor.
3 Choose from the following list or from alternatives after consultation with advisor. Note that some electives have required prerequisites. See individual course descriptions for specific information. AREC 444 ; FWF 416 ; IE 304 , IE 423 , or other technical courses chosen with approval of academic advisor.

 

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