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Environmental Science
Explore the connections between humans, ecosystems, and natural resources with an Environmental Science degree. This program blends biology, chemistry, and geology to help you understand environmental processes, the impact of human activity, and solutions to today’s environmental challenges.
Experiential Learning
By the time you graduate, you’ll have hands-on experience in research, fieldwork, and professional networking, including:
- Faculty-led research projects – Work on real-world environmental issues, including community-based projects beyond campus.
- Opportunities to publish and present – Share your research at professional conferences, gaining valuable experience and recognition in the field.
- Senior capstone project – Tackle an environmental problem by applying what you’ve learned in a real-world setting.
- Professional development and networking – Get involved with organizations like Tri-Beta Honor Society, the Bradley University Undergraduate Biology Society, and the Chem Club.
Degree Concentrations
Take your career any way you want! Explore the different degree concentrations that we offer for students to personalize their professional future.
Study how human activity impacts living organisms and ecosystems, preparing for careers in conservation, ecology, and environmental biology.
Learn how chemicals interact in natural systems and how human actions affect these processes, opening doors to careers in environmental chemistry and pollution control.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements
- BIO 151: Molecules to Cells (3 hrs.)
- BIO 152: Molecules to Cells Lab (1 hr.)
- BIO 251: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity (3 hrs.)
- BIO 252: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Lab (1 hr.)
- BIO 300: Populations, Resources and Environment (3 hrs.)
- BIO 420: Ecosystems Ecology (4 hrs.)
- CHM 110: General Chemistry I (3 hrs.)
- CHM 111: General Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 116: General Chemistry II (3 hrs.)
- CHM 117: General Chemistry II Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 252: Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
- CHM 253: Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 416: Environmental Chemistry (3 hrs.)
- ENS 150: Introduction to Environmental Science (2 hrs.)
- ENS 470: Environmental Science Capstone (1 hr.)
- GES 101:Principles of Earth Science (3 hrs.)
- and GES 102: Principles of Earth Science Lab (1 hr.)
- or GES 110: Principles of Historical Geology (3 hrs.)
- and GES 111: Principles of Historical Geology Lab (1 hr.)
- MTH 121: Calculus I (4 hrs.)
- MTH 122: Calculus II (4 hrs.)
- PHY 107: General Physics I (4 hrs.)
- PHY 108: General Physics II (4 hrs.)
- ECO 100: Introduction to Economics (3 hrs.)
- or ECO 221: Principles of Microeconomics (3 hrs.)
- or ECO 222: Principles of Macroeconomics (3 hrs.)
Chemistry Concentration
- CHM 256: Organic Chemistry II (3 hrs.)
- CHM 257: Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 292: Chemical Informatics (1 hr.)
- CHM 326: Analytical Chemistry (4 hrs.)
- CHM 360: Biochemistry (3 hrs.)
- CHM 420: Instrumental Analysis (4 hrs.)
- CHM 470: Physical Chemistry (3 hrs.)
- MTH 111: Elementary Statistics (3 hrs.)
- or BIO 260: Biological Statistics I (3 hrs.)
- and BIO 261: Biological Statistics II (3 hrs.)
Core Requirements
- BIO 151: Molecules to Cells (3 hrs.)
- BIO 152: Molecules to Cells Lab (1 hr.)
- BIO 251: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity (3 hrs.)
- BIO 252: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Lab (1 hr.)
- BIO 300: Populations, Resources and Environment (3 hrs.)
- BIO 420: Ecosystems Ecology (4 hrs.)
- CHM 110: General Chemistry I (3 hrs.)
- CHM 111: General Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 116: General Chemistry II (3 hrs.)
- CHM 117: General Chemistry II Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 252: Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
- CHM 253: Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 416: Environmental Chemistry (3 hrs.)
- ENS 150: Introduction to Environmental Science (2 hrs.)
- ENS 470: Environmental Science Capstone (1 hr.)
- GES 101:Principles of Earth Science (3 hrs.)
- and GES 102: Principles of Earth Science Lab (1 hr.)
- or GES 110: Principles of Historical Geology (3 hrs.)
- and GES 111: Principles of Historical Geology Lab (1 hr.)
- MTH 115: Brief Calculus With Applications I (4 hrs.)
- PHY 107: General Physics I (4 hrs.)
- PHY 108: General Physics II (4 hrs.)
- ECO 100: Introduction to Economics (3 hrs.)
- or ECO 221: Principles of Microeconomics (3 hrs.)
- or ECO 222: Principles of Macroeconomics (3 hrs.)
Biology Concentration Required Courses
- BIO 250: Organismic Biology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 260: Biological Statistics I (1 hr.)
- BIO 261: Biological Statistics II – 2 hrs.
- BIO 385: Supervised Research (3 hrs.)
- or BIO 485: Research (3 hrs.)
- BIO 460: Ecology (4 hrs.)
- or BIO 463: Plant Ecology (4 hrs.)
- or BIO 450: Conservation Biology (3 hrs.)
- Biology course approved by advisor (3-4 hrs.)
Organismal Course Electives (choose two) – 7-8 hrs.
- BIO 323: Comparative Anatomy (4 hrs.)
- BIO 324: Plant Diversity (4 hrs.)
- BIO 334: Reproduction and Identification of Flowering Plants (4 hrs.)
- BIO 381: Comparative Animal Physiology (3-4 hrs.)
- BIO 406: General Microbiology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 419: Ethology (4 hrs.)
Career Opportunities
Environmental Science graduates are in demand for careers in science, government, consulting, and policy development.
- Careers in environmental science – Environmental consulting, research, conservation, and sustainability
- Government and policy roles – Working with agencies on environmental regulations and resource management