BS in Environmental Science
Solving the world's most pressing environmental problems requires understanding the scientific aspects of sustainability. Our program in environmental science prepares students to develop innovative solutions to challenges such as climate change, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Students learn about the scientific underpinnings of problems in environmental sustainability.
Program Highlights
- You'll be immersed in a solid interdisciplinary curriculum rooted in laboratory and field research and informed by the humanities and social sciences.
- You'll have the latitude to choose science electives that suit your particular needs.
- You'll choose research projects based on your specific interests.
What You'll Learn
- Coursework that includes both a heavy dose of basic science requirements and interdisciplinary programming to create a well-rounded environmental science major.
- Courses spanning a variety of disciplines pertinent to understanding the context in which environmental challenges reside.
- Students have the option of completing a four-year program to earn a BS in Environmental Science, or opting for one of our five year dual degree programs and additionally earn a Master of Business Administration; Master of Public Policy; or Master of Public Health.
Careers
This program provides a foundation for careers in
- Environment-related businesses
- Organizations working in environmental fields.
- Certification as a registered environmental professional
Curriculum
Environmental Science students complete coursework that includes both a heavy dose of basic science requirements and courses spanning a variety of disciplines pertinent to understanding the context in which environmental challenges reside.
Core Curriculum
The BS in Environmental Science has the following requirements:
- ENVS 137 Foundations of Environmental Science I
- BIOL 101 General Biology I
- BIOL 111 General Biology I Lab
- CHEM 101 General Chemistry
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry Lab
- BIOL 102 General Biology II
- BIOL 112 General Biology II Lab
- CHEM 102 General Chemistry
- CHEM 112 General Chemistry II Lab
- ENVS 200 Environmental Careers and Professional Skills
- ENVS 203 Environmental Statistics
- ENVS 274 Chemistry of the Environment
- ENVS 275 Chemistry of the Environment Lab
- ENVS 280 Principles of Ecology
- ENVS 286 Principles of Ecology Lab
- PLSC 392 Environmental Politics
Justice and Ethics Choice
Choose one:
- ENVS 284 Environmental Justice
- PHIL 287 Environmental Ethics
- THEO 204 Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis
Economics Choice
Choose one:
- ENVS 335 Ecological Economics
- ECON 328 Environmental Economics
Engaged Learning Choice
Choose one:
- ENVS 226 Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems
- ENVS 227r Ecology of the Mediterranean Sea
- ENVS 267 Bird Conservation and Ecology
- ENVS 273 Energy & the Environment
- ENVS 281v Humans and the Environment in Contemporary Vietnam
- ENVS 283 Environmental Sustainability
- ENVS 340 Natural History of Belize
- ENVS 345 Conservation & Sustainability in Neotropical Ecosystems
- ENVS 350a STEP: Water
- ENVS 350b STEP: Biogas
- ENVS 350c STEP: Climate Action
- ENVS 350f STEP: Food Systems
- ENVS 391 Independent Environmental Research
- ENVS 395 Environmental Internship
Capstone Choice
Choose one:
- ENVS 390 Integrative Environmental Seminar
- ENVS 391C Independent Environmental Capstone Research
- ENVS 395C Environmental Capstone Internship
Electives
The BA in Environmental Policy has electives (18 credit hours) in the following categories:
Society, Ethics, and Justice
Choose one:
- ENVS 204 Gender, Health & Environment
- ENVS 260W Environmental Journalism (COMM 260W)
- ENVS 279W Climate and History (HIST 279E)
- ENVS 284 Environmental Justice
- ENVS 297W N American Environmental History (HIST 297E)
- ENVS 298 Special Topics (with SES approval)
- ENVS 338 Climate Change and Human Health
- ENVS 350a STEP Water
- ENVS 350b STEP Biogas
- ENVS 350c STEP Climate Action
- ENVS 350f STEP Food Systems
- ENVS 383 Human Dimensions in Conservation
- ENVS 391 Independent Environmental Research
- ENVS 395 Environmental Internship
- ENVS 398 Special Topics (with SES approval)
- ENVS 399 Directed Readings
- COMM 101 Public Speaking & Critical Thinking
- COMM 277 Organizational Communication
- COMM 306 Environmental Advocacy
- COMM 322 Guerilla Media
- ENGL 288 Nature in Literature
- PHIL 287 Environmental Ethics
- PSYC 277 Environmental Psychology
- SOCL 226 Science, Technology, and Society
- SOCL 252 Global Inequities
- SOCL 272 Environmental Sociology
- SOCL 276 Sociology/ Politics of Food
- SOCL 278 Global Health
- THEO 204 Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis
- THEO 344 Theology and Ecology
Policy, Economics, and Resource Management
Choose one:
- ENVS 298 Special Topics (with SES approval)
- ENVS 310 Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy
- ENVS 311 Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy
- ENVS 312 Water Law & Policy
- ENVS 313 Energy Law & Policy
- ENVS 327 Food Systems Analysis
- ENVS 332 Industrial Ecology
- ENVS 333 Circular Economy
- ENVS 335 Ecological Economics
- ENVS 336 Biomimicry Design Inspired by Nature
- ENVS 338 Climate Change and Human Health
- ENVS 351 Introduction to Sustainability Concepts & Impacts
- ENVS 363 Sustainable Business Management
- ENVS 364 Sustainability Management in the Global Context
- ENVS 383 Human Dimensions in Conservation
- ENVS 384 Conservation Economics
- ENVS 389 Ecological Risk Assessment
- ENVS 391 Independent Environmental Research
- ENVS 395 Independent Environmental Internship
- ENVS 398 Special Topics (with SES approval)
- ENVS 399 Directed Readings
- ECON 328 Environmental Economics
- GLST 305 Globalization and Environmental Sustainability
- MGMT 201 Intro to Business Management
- PLSC 354 Global Environmental Politics
Environmental Science Electives
Choose five, at least three of which must be at the 300 level:
ENVS 204 Gender, Health and Environment
ENVS 207 Plants & Civilization
ENVS 218 Biodiversity & Biogeography
ENVS 223 Soil Ecology
ENVS 224 Climate & Climate Change
ENVS 226 Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems
ENVS 227r Ecology of the Mediterranean
ENVS 267 Bird Conservation & Ecology
ENVS 273 Energy & the Environment
ENVS 278 Hydrology
ENVS 281v Humans and the Environ. of Contemporary Vietnam
ENVS 283 Environmental Sustainability
ENVS 298 Special Topics (with SES approval)
ENVS 301 Environmental Health
ENVS 302 Principles of Public Health
ENVS 303 Introduction to Epidemiology
ENVS 319 Winter Ecology
ENVS 320 Conservation Biology
ENVS 322 Invasive Species
ENVS 325 Sustainable Agriculture
ENVS 326 Agroecosystems
ENVS 327 Food Systems Analysis
ENVS 330 Restoration Ecology
ENVS 338 Climate Change and Human Health
ENVS 340 Natural History of Belize
ENVS 345 Conservation & Sustainability in Neotropical Ecosystems
ENVS 350a STEP: Water
ENVS 350b STEP: Biogas
ENVS 350c STEP: Climate Action
ENVS 350f STEP: Food Systems
ENVS 369 Field Ornithology
ENVS 380 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
ENVS 381 Advanced GIS Applications
ENVS 382 Remote Sensing
ENVS 383 Human Dimensions of Conservation
ENVS 385 Introduction to Global Health
ENVS 387 Principles of Ecotoxicology
ENVS 388 Applied Environmental Statistics
ENVS 389 Ecological Risk Assessment
ENVS 391 Independent Environmental Research
ENVS 395 Environmental Internship
ENVS 398 Special Topics (with SES approval)
ENVS 399 Directed Readings
ANTH 104 The Human Ecological Footprint
ANTH 303 People & Conservation
BIOL, CHEM, PHYS 300-level courses (with SES approval)
Admission
To apply for admission and scholarship consideration, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission and indicate your interest in this program on your application. For more information, see the following resources:
Tuition and Financial Aid
The School of Environmental Sustainability strives to help students secure the necessary financial resources to make their graduate education at Loyola more affordable. Partial scholarships, limited external research grants, and work opportunities are offered to SES graduate students. Students are encouraged to seek external funding. Students who wish to be considered for internal partial tuition scholarships must complete applications by March 1. Scholarship decisions will be based on the student’s full file, including statements of research/interest, GPA, and letters of recommendation.
Solving the world's most pressing environmental problems requires understanding the scientific aspects of sustainability. Our program in environmental science prepares students to develop innovative solutions to challenges such as climate change, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Curriculum
Environmental Science students complete coursework that includes both a heavy dose of basic science requirements and courses spanning a variety of disciplines pertinent to understanding the context in which environmental challenges reside.
Admission
To apply for admission and scholarship consideration, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission and indicate your interest in this program on your application. For more information, see the following resources:
Tuition and Financial Aid
The School of Environmental Sustainability strives to help students secure the necessary financial resources to make their graduate education at Loyola more affordable. Partial scholarships, limited external research grants, and work opportunities are offered to SES graduate students. Students are encouraged to seek external funding. Students who wish to be considered for internal partial tuition scholarships must complete applications by March 1. Scholarship decisions will be based on the student’s full file, including statements of research/interest, GPA, and letters of recommendation.