Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science prepares students to solve a wide variety of environmental problems using a sound scientific approach. Students develop a strong background in the basic sciences (e.g. chemistry, biology, geology).  Students have the opportunity to take electives in topics of special interest such as ecological toxicology, environmental pollution, risk assessment, risk management and local, regional and global environmental issues.  This highly interdisciplinary major encourages students to focus in areas such as environmental pollution, policy, ecological restoration & conservation, and soil science and biogeochemistry.

If you are interested in:

• Working outdoors and studying the human impacts on the environment
• Conserving and restoring the earth and its ecosystems through sustainable resource monitoring and management
• Studying the effects of climate change or pollutants on our natural resources
• Researching environmental law and policy
• Understanding how nutrients and contaminants cycle through soils and ecosystems
• Working with people to help make important environmental decisions

Careers (typically working for governmental agencies, consulting firms, or non-profit organizations):

• Environmental specialist or consultant
• Soil scientist
• Environmental lawyer or policy advisor
• Ecologist
• Pollution specialist
• Climate change biologist

Curriculum includes:

• Basic Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics
• Environmental Pollution, Contaminants and Toxicology
• Ecohydrology, Soils, Limnology
• Environmental Law and Policy
• Geology, Geography, and Climatology
• Restoration Ecology, Forest Ecology, Rangeland Ecosystems
• Conservation Biology