Environmental Science - Bachelor of Science (56+ credits)
(56+ credits plus 6 credits experiential learning)
The Environmental Science Bachelor of Science degree is a rigorous 62+ credit program of study that prepares students for direct employment after graduation or for graduate school, where students can pursue master's or PhD degrees. Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field with a broad and rapidly growing job sector that is projected to grow by 8% percent from 2019 to 2029, a rate that is much faster than the average job growth rate for all occupations, and with highly competitive salaries. With widespread and heightened public interest in the state of our environment, for example with respect to urbanization, population growth, health, food systems, and climate change, the demand for environmental scientists and specialists is growing rapidly. Students can combine courses in business, communications, and other areas to leverage their environmental science expertise in business enterprise and journalism. Environmental Science is also a good background for specialized lawyers, and for the fields of environmental writing and environmental history. The GIS component of the major makes graduates highly marketable.
https://www.mendeley.com/careers/news/careers-jobs-field/top-careers-environmental-science
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/environmental-science-degree-jobs
Learning Goals
- Development of critical thinking, inquiry skills, and scientific literacy.
A. Demonstrate a mastery of the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and to place objective analysis in the context of a position of advocacy (separate values from data).
B. Demonstrate a mastery of the ability to explore nature scientifically (make novel observations, raise questions, bring existing ideas to bear on possible explanations, develop investigations to test predictions, evaluate evidence in light of questions and predictions); to perform a scientific investigation from inception to presentation of results in oral/visual and written format.
- Integration of civic engagement and social responsibility with scientific research.
- Development of quantitative analytical skills, including designing experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
- Understanding the complexity and interdependence of ecological systems, inclusive of human systems; understanding the impact of humans on environment and environment on humans (the complex interplay of human and nonhuman systems).
- Development of an environmental ethic and a philosophy that includes humans in nature and a sense of place and social responsibility.
- Understanding the historical development of ecosystems and the evolutionary development of life on Earth.
- Understanding (from multiple scientific perspectives, and including an historical perspective) our local ecology through repeated observation and study.
- Development of strategies and interests for lifelong learning.
- Preparation to obtain an entry level position in environmental sciences, or to be admitted to graduate study in a scientific field.
Career and Occupation Paths for Graduates in this Program
The field is large and growing with many possible jobs. The major also combines well with minors and foci in business, communications, biology, and more. The major is great preparation for graduate study as well. Some jobs include:
- Biochemist/Environmental Chemist
- Commercial horticulturist
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental education officer
- Environmental/Civil Engineer
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental technician
- Environmental Specialist
- Environmental Manager
- Environmental Protection Manager
- Environmental Science Teacher
- Geological technician/Environmental geologist
- Hydrologist/Water engineer
- Minerals surveyor
- Nature conservation officer
- Petroleum Engineer
- Post-secondary teacher
- Recycling officer
- Meteorologist
- Sustainability consultant
- Waste management officer
- Water quality scientist
- Wildlife Biologist/Marine Biologist
- Environmental health practitioner
- GIS technician/specialist
- Geographer
- Horticultural consultant
- Landscape architect
- Natural Science Manager
- Town/Urban planner
- Toxicologist
Opportunities for environmental science graduates can be found in the environmental science and wider biology sectors. Typical employers include local authorities, environmental protection agencies such as the Environment Protection Agency and agencies at regional (e.g. TVA), state and local levels, government departments, environmental monitoring organizations, environmental consultancies, nature conservation organizations, and organizations such as the MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. There are also opportunities available in the utilities sector with water companies and waste management companies, in planning and surveying, the media, and in environmental education and research, as well as in agriculture, energy and utilities, and other job sectors.
See also: https://www.bestcolleges.com/careers/science-and-engineering/enviromental-science/ for starting salary ranges for certain Environmental Science careers as well as information on master's and PhD programs in the field.
Degree Requirements
Required Core (41 Credits)
Electives (9-12 credits)
Choose an additional three courses from among the following list, for a total of 9-12 credits.
Elective (3 credits)
Choose once course from the following list:
Required Research Capstone (3 credits)
Required Internship (6 credits)
If two 90 hour, 3 credit internships are preferred to one 180 hour 6 credit internship, a student can take CNSCI 3100 and CNSCI 4100 each for 3 credits.