Environmental Sciences

Prerequisites & Catalog Descriptions

Environmental Community Engagement (EVS 490)

Who is this for: Non-EVS majors who are EVS minors or Sustainability minors

When is this offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Introduction to the role of environmental agencies in the community. Requires 40 hours of volunteer or paid time directed toward helping the mission of the environmental agency. Additional liability insurance expense may be necessary.

Applied Service Learning (EVS 496)

This course is no longer offered within the department. EVS majors seeking credit for an internship should apply for Undergraduate Practicum (EVS 497) and non-EVS majors should apply for Environmental Community Engagement (EVS 490) credits. Non-EVS majors who are Sustainability or EVS minors and on a catalog older than 2020-21 will need to email the department (evs@uncw.edu) to have a substitution of EVS 490 for EVS 496 made.

Undergraduate Practicum (EVS 497)

Who is this for: Declared EVS majors 

When is this offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

2.00 GPA overall, consent of instructor. Advanced field placement experience in governmental, corporate, NGO or other setting in the environmental field. Provides extended opportunity for fieldwork, research, and creative projects. Relates theory to practical application in the field. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom and applied learning requirement. Additional liability insurance expense may be necessary. 1 credit hour requires a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer or paid work at the host organization in the Fall or Spring terms. EVS 497 is offered only as 3 or 6 credits for the full summer session, requiring a minimum of 120 or 240 hours worked, respectively.

Internships (EVS 498)

This course is no longer offered by the department. Students seeking credit for an internship should apply for the Undergraduate Practicum (EVS 497) credits.

Graduate Practicum (EVS 597)

Who is this for: EVS Graduate Students

When is this offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Permission of instructor. Graduate students must have completed both EVS 501 and EVS 519 prior to applying for a Graduate Practicum.  Advanced field placement and experience in non-profit, governmental or private sector. Provides extended opportunities for fieldwork, research or creative projects and includes related theory to practical applications. Additional liability insurance expense may be necessary. Students must discuss this option with the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Devon Eulie, prior to pursuing a placement. Additional liability insurance expense may be necessary. 1 credit hour requires a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer or paid work at the host organization.

Application Process

The application process for Environmental Community Engagement and both Undergraduate and Graduate Practica follow the same steps:
  1. Students secure a position with a host organization. To find a position, sign up for the EVS listserv and read about options on the Frequently Asked Questions page on the EVS website. 
  2. Students submit an application using DocuSign.
    1. On the first page, students must enter their name and email address and their host organization's supervisor and email address. Do not change the prefilled information for the EVS Applied Learning Coordinator.
  3. After a student submits the DocuSign application, the current ASL Coordinator will review it and either approve, suggest edits, or decline the application. Approved applications will then be automatically sent to the host organization supervisor for their approval.
  4. Once final approval is received by the ASL Coordinator via the host organization supervisor's completion of the application, the ASL Coordinator will send the student an email indicating they have been provided an override into the course. 
    1. Students are responsible for registering for the course on SeaNet after they receive the override notification email from the Coordinator. Failure to register for the course on SeaNet will exempt the student from earning credit even if they volunteer at the organization.

Important Notes

  • No credit will be provided for work conducted prior to registration of the course.
  • No credit will be provided for work conducted prior to the beginning of the term (Fall, Spring, Summer).
  • Applications for credit will be denied in the following situations:
    • The application is not completed using the DocuSign PowerForm.
    • The application is incomplete or contains spelling and grammar errors.
    • The host organization and/or position is not suitable for credit (based on the discretion of the EVS Applied Learning Coordinator).
    • The supervisor of the host organization does not agree to application information provided by the student.
    • The student fails to provide the EVS Applied Learning Coordinator with the completed application with enough time to obtain the supervisor signature. An application is not considered approved by EVS until DocuSign informs the student that their application has been sent to their host organization supervisor for approval.
    • The student fails to register for the course on SeaNet after the override is provided by the EVS Applied Learning Coordinator.