Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental and Soil Sciences Major, BS in Environmental and Soil Sciences – Land Surveying Concentration


Advisor
Freeland

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.

Surveying is a high-profile profession that merges analytical abilities with technology. Land surveyors are licensed professionals who specialize in obtaining measurements with both precision and accuracy. Working outdoors and indoors, in remote and urban settings, surveyors have an educational background in historical research, real estate law, geology, forestry, hydrology, and botany. Surveyors can choose from a number of professional specialties, such as construction surveys, boundary and control, hydrographic, GIS, and forensic surveying. The Land Surveying concentration has pre-approved education courses within its curriculum for taking the Tennessee Professional Land Surveyor-In-Training Exam (see http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/surveying). The Land Surveying concentration can lead to becoming a licensed Tennessee Professional Surveyor.

uTrack Requirements (for first-year students)

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester known as milestones. Milestones may include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect first-time, first-year, full-time, degree-seeking students entering Fall 2013.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Soil Sciences • Environmental and Soil Sciences Major • Land Surveying Concentration


Term 1 Hours Milestone Notes
BIOL 111 * 4 MATH 130  or higher or one Arts and Humanities*, Cultures and Civilizations*, or Social Sciences* Elective
CHEM 120 * or CHEM 128 * 4  
ENGL 101 * or ENGL 118 * 3  
1MATH 151 * 3  
Term 2
BIOL 112 * 4 MATH 130  or higher
CHEM 130 * or CHEM 138 * 4  
ENGL 102 * 3  
1MATH 152 * 3  
2Social Sciences Elective * 3  
Term 3
AREC 201 * or ECON 201 * or ECON 207 * 4 CHEM 120 * or MATH 151 *
2Arts and Humanities Elective * 3  
CMST 210 *, CMST 217 *, CMST 240 *, or CMST 247 * 3  
ESS 120 * 3  
PHYS 221 * 4  
Term 4
ESS 210 , ESS 220 * 7 CHEM 120 * and MATH 151 *
FWF 212  3  
GEOG 310  3  
STAT 201 * or STAT 207 * 3  
Term 5
BSET 412  3 CHEM 130 *
FWF 313  2  
3Technical Electives 6  
4Unrestricted Electives 3  
Term 6
BSET 326  3 No milestones
ENGL 360 * 3  
ESS 301 * 1  
3Technical Elective 3  
4Unrestricted Elective 3  
Term 7
BSET 414 , BSET 434 , BSET 474  9 Apply to graduate
3Technical Electives 5  
Term 8
2Arts and Humanities Elective * 3 No milestones
ESS 424  3  
IE 423  3  
3Technical Electives 6  
     
TOTAL 120  

* 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 Chosen from the University General Education list after consultation with an advisor.
3 Chosen after consultation with an advisor.
4 Any courses not already required for the major.