Environmental Science - BS
As climate change causes more extreme weather, ocean acidification and sea level rise, the world needs workers with a solid environmental science background.
Why environmental science?
Size up the data around issues like pollution, climate change and the depletion of resources. Conduct your own research to better understand complex problems and systems. Flex your science muscles. Learn in the forest, creeks and industries of our resource-rich area, then apply your knowledge to help to repair the earth.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn how biology, chemistry, geology and physics affect natural systems and forces, and how they apply to conservation, hydrology, geoscience, environmental restoration, science and compliance. You’ll learn how to gather and examine data and build strong multidisciplinary science skills and choose a specialty to study – physical or biological – or combine the two. Understand how historical fossil fuel industry has impacted the regional environment, what is its legacy, and how we are incorporating green technology in the remediation projects used throughout the area. Environmental scientists learn about modern day environmental issues, and their historical roots, at all scales of observation, from an area as small as our campus to global environmental systems.
Job titles
- Environmental scientist
- Environmental science technician
- Environmental compliance officer
- Conservation scientist
- Hydrologist
- Natural science manager
- Geoscientist
Employers
- Government agencies
- Sanitation companies
- Manufacturers
- Nonprofits
- Local, state or national parks
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Consulting firms
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ES 1301
Course 1 NameAdvanced Field Methods And TechniquesCourse 1 DescriptionIn this advanced field research course students will continue to use biological/ecological/and chemical research methods to address and understand current environmental issues. Students will carefully select a scientific research study that is of value or interest. This will allow for a more active role in the experimental design process. After carefully planning and gathering research and resources, they will either replicate that study, try it again to improve it, or use it as a basis for a new idea. Learning research methods is an important skill needed in addition to conducting field work and making good decisions in the laboratory. A more in-depth use of statistics, scientific plots, writing a scientific lab report, and presenting a research project will also be included in this course. -
GEOL 1303
Course 2 NameGeomorphology & Environmental SystemsCourse 2 DescriptionThis course is intended to provide the students with an in depth understanding of how the current landscape came to be, what is its connection to the subsurface environment, and how are the two influencing the human-environment interactions. The course has a three (3) hour lab component during which you will be conducting a variety of laboratory exercises, which will allow you to review and understand important concepts and processes. -
BIOL 1313
Course 3 NameAquatic BiomonitoringCourse 3 DescriptionIn this combined lecture and lab/field course, students will learn the skills needed to monitor water quality in streams of the Allegheny National Forest. Students will learn principles of stream ecology and water quality while applying their knowledge and skills in the field on an research study. A hands-on course, students will have an opportunity to experience a field-research course in the wilderness of the Allegheny National Forest, trekking off trail to sample streams, aquatic insect sampling and identification. Prerequisites: BIOL 0101 and 0102, completion of competency courses -
CHEM 1308
Course 4 NameEnvironmental ChemistryCourse 4 DescriptionA comprehensive overview of the chemistry of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and terrestrial environment that includes ozone depletion, global warming, pollution, energy sources for the future, and green chemistry. In the lab component water and soil samples will be analyzed using techniques such as titration, pH determination, spectrophotometry, and chromatography. Three hours of lecture and four hours of lab per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 0102 and competencies.