The environmental science minor helps students acquire the background they need to be successful environmental scientists or, for those not majoring in science, to use skills learned in their own major to work closely with environmental scientists. The minor is open to all students regardless of their major, but it is best suited for those who have some interest in science or engineering. Some of the environmental science courses have chemistry prerequisites. Chemistry may be taken concurrently with permission of the course instructor.
The environmental science minor is designed to equip students with:
- A solid preparation in one of the academic majors at Hope College.
- A broad interdisciplinary understanding of environmental science.
- Knowledge of how environmental issues affect and are affected by politics and economics. Minors take GES 310, which is an interdisciplinary course taught by faculty in the Natural Science Division, Political Science Department and/or Department of Economics and Business.
- An ability to work in a team with scientists and non-science professionals from other disciplines. In the GES 410 capstone, students work with colleagues from a number of disciplines to choose and study a local environmental problem. To obtain experience with technical aspects of environmental science, students may take GES 220 .
- An ability to use principles of sustainability when considering environmental problems and solutions.
The courses required for the environmental science minor depend on the student’s major. 19 credits are required for non-science majors. 20-23 credits are required for science majors, depending on their major and the courses taken.
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