Skip to Main Content

Course Listings

Environmental and Marine Science

A major in Environmental and Marine Science and a minor in Environmental Studies are available. See also the major and minor in Sustainability.

Major in Environmental and Marine Science

54-58 credit hours (Core courses and one track)

Core courses (34-37 credit hours):

Ecology track

20 credit hours

Earth and Climate Science track

21 credit hours

Marine Biology track

21 credit hours

Taken at the J.N. Roth Marine Biology station in FL Keys in the fall semester as one set of courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates in Environmental & Marine Science will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of core biological principles spanning all levels of hierarchy (cells to ecosystems).
  2. Provide examples of the fundamental role that evolutionary principles have in structuring biological
    systems from the cell to ecosystems.
  3. Design and implement experiments through developing research questions, designing research methods, and
    interpreting and analyzing data using statistical techniques.
  4. Use strong oral and writing skills to communicate scientific concepts.
  5. Articulate how faith and/or worldview informs personal bioethical attitudes and behaviors.
  6. Discuss core ecological principles spanning levels of inquiry, including global ecology, ecosystem science, population ecology, community ecology, and physiological ecology.
  7. Identify the biosphere’s most pressing environmental challenges and analyze the root causes of specific case studies using systems thinking.
  8. Demonstrate safe field and laboratory skills: taxonomy and identification of species, plant and animal monitoring techniques, habitat and soil surveys, GPS and GIS mapping.

Planning and Advising Notes

Students choosing the ecology track may elect to take General Chemistry, Chem 111-112, in the first year. A double major in biology, environmental science, or molecular biology/biochemistry is not allowed.

Planning Guide

First YearGoshen Core
Ecology & Evolution (fall)
Cell Biology & Genetics (spring)
Organismal Biology (spring)
Second & Third YearsGoshen Core
General Chemistry
SST
Roots of Environmental Crisis (spring)
Statistics course
Natural Resources Policy Seminar
Restoration Ecology
Junior Research
Seminar Courses in specified track
Fourth YearCourses in specified track
Balance of Goshen Core
Internship
Senior Seminar

Minor in Environmental Studies

18 credit hours

Course descriptions

  • BIOL 115 Ecology and Evolution

    An introductory course that examines fundamental principles related to the evolution of life on earth and the ecological relationships between living things and their environment. The course integrates ecological and evolutionary principles within field investigations that teach skills in research...

  • BIOL 120 Cell Biology and Genetics

    An introductory course that explores the cell as a complex and dynamic system shaped by its environment and genetic legacy. Gene regulation and expression, cell signaling, and cell division will be discussed, as well as the ethics of manipulating the...

  • BIOL 130 Organismal Biology

    An introductory course that integrates study of plant and animal forms to provide a broader understanding of the unity and diversity of life on earth. Students will gain insight into the basic principles of structure and function evident in complex...

  • BIOL 207 Roots of Environmental Crisis

    What are the roots of the current climate crisis? Can religious, economic, cultural, political, and/or biological worldviews help us understand the challenges? The course will introduce concepts in systems thinking, which emphasize an interdisciplinary approach to addressing climate change. The...

  • BIOL 208 Geology, Meteorology & Climate Sci

    An earth science introductory course that examines the earth’s geological processes (earth’s interior, tectonic activity, and surface geology including soil formation and erosion processes), meteorological patterns (atmospheric formation, weather dynamics, and seasons), and climate dynamics (paleoclimate, anthropogenic influences, and future...

  • BIOL 222 Soil Science

    An introduction to the importance of soils in agricultural, ecological, and social systems. Topics include soil formation; physical, chemical, and biological properties; soil classification and mapping; soil productivity; and relationship between soil health and climate. Weekly labs will emphasize practical...

  • BIOL 232 Oceanography

    An introduction to the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes that structure ocean systems. Topics include biogeochemical cycling, ocean currents, global tectonics, waves, tides, coastal processes, primary productivity, and climate-ocean feedback systems. Attention will be given to understanding how human...

  • BIOL 235 Geographic Information Systems

    An applied introduction to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, which allows analysis of complex data in spatial formats. During weekly labs, the course will emphasize hands-on projects that combine map-making with data analysis, to address questions in...

  • BIOL 304 Marine Biology

    An intensive field-based class that explores the marine ecology of the Florida Keys. Includes a comprehensive collaborative field research project. An off-campus course taught at the J. N. Roth Marine Biology station in Florida every May term. Prerequisites: Biol 115,...

  • BIOL 324 Restoration Ecology

    This course applies ecological paradigms toward restoration of degraded and damaged systems. Field components at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center will allow students to gain experience in a variety of restoration techniques relevant to prairie, wetland, and forest habitats. Taught...

  • BIOL 331 Junior Research Seminar

    A weekly seminar focusing on scientific inquiry skills such as reviewing the literature, forming research questions, designing experiments, analyzing data, and writing scientific papers. Students will gain approval for a research project to be completed by the end of the...

  • BIOL 334 Marine Ecology

    A field course taught as part of the Marine Biology Semester designed to introduce students to important ecological processes operating in coastal marine environments. The course covers synthetic topics as well as the ecology of specific marine habitats. The laboratory...

  • BIOL 335 Natural Resources Seminar

    A broad survey course that investigates policies regulating natural resources. The class covers the rationale, content, process and origins of contemporary state, tribal, federal and international resource policies. Offered spring of odd years.

  • BIOL 344 Marine Conservation

    A field course taught as part of the Marine Biology Semester designed to explore the applied science behind maintaining marine biodiversity and the management of marine resources. The course introduces students to the interdisciplinary science of conservation, a mission-driven field...

  • BIOL 400 Biology Research

    On-campus participation in a research project. Prerequisite: consent of faculty supervisor. Offered every semester.

  • BIOL 409 Biology Internship

    Practical experience in biology including professional levels of responsibility. Activities may be similar to those described for Biol 209, but with a higher degree of independent responsibility in the experience, as would be appropriate for a traditional apprenticeship. Students are...

  • BIOL 410 Biology Senior Seminar

    A weekly seminar focused on completing the capstone senior research project. Topics will include data analysis, research writing, communicating project results to the wider community, and the interdisciplinary nature of biological science. Led by all department faculty members. Prerequisite: Biol...

  • CHEM 111 General Chemistry

    An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory,...

  • CHEM 112 General Chemistry

    An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory,...

  • CHEM 303 Introduction to Organic Chemistry

    Covering structure, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and principal reactions for the major functional groups of organic chemistry, this is a one-semester survey course that gives an overview of the field. Laboratory exercises introduce basic purification techniques. This can be a stand-alone course...

  • MATH 211 Calculus I

    Concepts of calculus emphasizing applications in the natural and social sciences. Topics include differential calculus of one and two variables and integration. Prerequisites: three and one-half units of high school mathematics including trigonometry, Math 170, or a minimum ALEKS score...

  • PHYS 203 General Physics

    A calculus and vector treatment of basic physics. This is the first semester, which includes mechanics of motion, vibration and sound. Required of physics majors. Offered every fall. Prerequisite or Concurrent: Math 211.

  • PSYC 380 Statistics in Research

    A study of data analysis and its relationship to research methods in a variety of settings. Collection, presentation and analysis of numerical data, including descriptive, parametric, and nonparametric statistics. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the Quantitative Literacy requirement in...

Ready to get started?