Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Buffalo, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 37,945 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
From climate change and habitat destruction to air and water pollution, our planet faces a growing amount of environmental challenges. Environmental science, an interdisciplinary field that combines ecology, biology, zoology, oceanography, geology, chemistry, and other sciences, can help innovate solutions. Common career paths: ecological scientist, wildlife biologist, land use planner.
As a student in our Environmental Science program, you’ll explore the complex processes of the natural world, how humans fit in, and what we can do to create a positive impact. In addition, you'll get hands-on practical experience in the process. You will work in the environment, for the environment.
An Interdisciplinary Approach
Your studies will reflect a variety of perspectives through coursework in biology, chemistry, geology, and more. Along with deep knowledge of environmental science, our Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program will arm you with the skills needed to thrive in the professional world—including written and oral communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Guided by Jesuit values, you’ll develop an informed approach to the ethical stewardship of our planet’s natural resources.
Hands-on Research Opportunities
Our curriculum provides several opportunities for students to practice science, both in the laboratory and out in the field. Furthermore, our program offers opportunities for students to conduct research alongside a faculty member in their area of expertise, including ecosystem ecology, entomology, freshwater biology, ornithology, and environmental health. You’ll learn how to read and interpret data, perform experiments, and sharpen your technical skills as a budding scientist. This in turn could lead to co-presenting at national and international conferences as well as the opportunity to co-author a study for a research journal.
Individual Attention and Mentoring
Through small classes, you’ll be able to bond with classmates and work directly with faculty. As experts in their field, they enjoy mentoring the next generation of scientists. You’ll also receive one-on-one advisement from the program director to identify the best area of concentration for you within the major. With all of this support, you can tailor your curriculum and academic experience, which will build your confidence as a future professional.
Internships
Completing two distinct internships as part of the program will give you hands-on work experience and exposure to a wide range of career possibilities. You’ll gain real-world practice in areas such as environmental monitoring and regulation, environmental consulting, urban ecology, sustainable agriculture, wildlife biology, and conservation.
Recent internship sites include:
- Buffalo Museum of Science
- Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
- Cornell Laboratory for Ornithology
- Department of Environmental Conservation
- Texas Conservation Corps
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Distinctions
Recent program graduates have accepted positions with leading environmental firms as well as state and federal environmental agencies. About half of Environmental Science students perform post-graduate work to open up additional career opportunities.
Gallery
Curriculum
Major Requirements
- BIO 111 & 111L Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Laboratory I
- BIO 112 & 112L Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Laboratory II
- BIO 320 & 320L Field Ecology and Field Ecology Lab
- BIO 360 Environmental Health
- CHM 111 & 111L General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory 1
- CHM 112. & 112L General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory
- CHM 227 & 227L Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
- CHM 232 & 232L Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
- GEOL 120. & 120L Introductory Geology and Introductory Geology Laboratory
- ENV 200 Introductory Hydrology
- ENV 352 Environmental Science Seminar I
- ENV 354 Environmental Science Seminar II
- ENV 498 & ENV 499 Environmental Science Internship I and Environmental Science Internship II
Choose two of the following math courses
- PSY 201 Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
- or MAT 141 Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science
- PSY 401 Advanced Statistics Seminar
- MAT 111 Calculus I 1
- MAT 112 Calculus II
3 additional Environmental Science Electives with lab (see list below)
One additional Environmental Science elective (may be taken with or without the lab)
Social Science or Humanities Requirement (select one of the following courses)
- EVST 235 Environmental Policy
- SOC 234 Environment and Society
- PHI 244 Environmental Ethics
Environmental Science Electives
Students must complete four of the following (at least three with labs):
- ABEC 341 & 341L Urban Ecology and Urban Ecology Lab (lab optional)
- ABEC 345 & 345L Herpetology and Herpetology Lab (lab optional)
- ABEC 347 Avian Conservation and Management
- BIO 211 & 211L Biochemistry and Cell Biology I and Biochemistry and Cell Biology Lab I (lab required)
- BIO 212 & 212L Biochemistry and Cell Biology II and Biochemistry and Cell Biology Lab II (lab required)
- BIO 305 & 305L Medical Microbiology and its Ecological Basis and Medical Microbiology and its Ecological Basis Lab (lab optional)
- BIO 307 & 307L Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory (lab optional)
- BIO 322 Conservation Biology
- BIO 335 & 335L Plant Biology and Plant Biology Lab (lab optional)
- BIO 343 & 343L Entomology and Entomology Lab (lab required)
- BIO 364 Zoology: Diversity of Animal Life
- BIO 366 & 366L Ornithology and Ornithology Laboratory (lab required)
- BIO 375 & 375L Community Ecology and Community Ecology Laboratory (lab optional)
- BIO 377 & 377L Freshwater Biology and Freshwater Biology Laboratory (lab required)
- BIO 378 & 378L Wetlands and Wetlands Laboratory (lab optional)
- BIO 406 & 406L Population and Conservation Genetics and Population and Conservation Genetics Laboratory (lab optional)
- CHM 301 & 301L Fundamental Physical Chemistry and Fundamental Physical Chemistry Laboratory (lab optional)
- EVST 235 Environmental Policy
- PHY 201 & 201L College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory (lab required)
- SOC 315 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for the Social Sciences 3 or ECO 310 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
NOTE: Most classes are offered every other year. Please check the advisement guide each semester to see which classes are being offered. The advisement guide will be used to indicate which courses students in each class year should be taking and when internship applications need to be submitted.
Admissions
Student Testimonials
Program Outcome
Learning Goal 1
Students Will Develop Competency With Respect to Knowledge Having A Firm Grasp of the Basic Concepts in Environmental Science.
Students will:
- Objective A: Demonstrate an understanding of general environmental concepts from ecology, geology, hydrology, and analytical chemistry;
- Objective B: Demonstrate detailed knowledge within at least two areas of environmental science;
- Objective C: Connect previously learned material with real-life environmental situations.
Learning Goal 2
Students Will Develop Problem-Solving Skills by Being Able to Perform the Following.
Students will:
- Objective A: Read and interpret data;
- Objective B: Design an experiment to address a specific hypothesis;
- Objective C: Critically analyze an article from the original scientific literature or a professional report.
Learning Goal 3
Students Will Demonstrate Mastery With Respect to Technical Skills.
Students will:
- Objective A: Effectively communicate scientific material in written form;
- Objective B: Draw a graph;
- Objective C: Design a table
English Language Requirements
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