Environmental Science (B.S.)

Program Overview

The Environmental Science major curriculum provides a strong foundation for students planning a career in the environmental field. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary curriculum drawing heavily from biology and chemistry with important contributions also from ethics, theology, economics, and mathematics. It is the recommended major for students who will enter graduate programs in such fields as ecology, environmental science, environmental law, environmental public policy, regional planning, landscape architecture, conservation biology, and the marine sciences.  The array of courses in environmental techniques, geographic information systems, chemistry, and policy, also equip students with the vital skill set necessary for immediate employment in the rapidly expanding environmental job market. Courses structured as consulting firms—in which the final course product is a formal report or recommendation to an off-campus client—provide exception real-world preparation sought by employers.

The recommended first-year curriculum for the environmental science major is identical to the biology major in order to provide maximum flexibility for students. An important feature included in the environmental science curriculum is the encouraged participation at Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, located in northern Michigan, or the QERC Costa Rica Program, situated in the cloud forest highlands in central Costa Rica. Information on these programs is available from the Department Office or your environmental science advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Environmental Science program can:

1. Describe the nature and process of science, and the fundamentals of environmental science spanning molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological subdisciplines.
2. Articulate a rationally defensible integration of science and faith.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in searching and evaluating published environmental science literature.
4. Demonstrate competence in applied skills and ethical decision-making required for environmental science-related careers and post-graduate studies.
5. Engage with the professional scientific community appropriate for vocational pursuits in environmental science.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

Four credits from the following:

Three credits from the following:

Seven to nine credits from the following:

¹ BIOL 262 fulfills Writing in the major requirement.

² All Environmental Science majors intending to enter graduate school and whose work will involve a significant amount of chemical emphasis should substitute CHEM 309, 310 for CHEM 204. Likewise, a calculus course (MATH 108 or 111) and/or physics (PHYS 201, 202, 211 or 212) are recommended for graduate school preparation.

⁴ All Environmental Science majors are encouraged to complete one course at AuSable Institute. AuSable courses can count only as elective credit. Majors are encouraged to do an internship and/or research experience.

⁵ The Costa Rica course does not fulfill General Education requirements for Ethics.

^ ENGR 453 has prerequisite(s) which may increase the total credits required.

General Education Requirements