Environmental Science

Develop an understanding of ecosystems and natural resources that compose our environment, the role of human impacts, and pathways toward sustaining a healthy planet.

As an environmental science major, you’ll take courses that blend lectures, laboratory work, and service learning to examine contemporary topics of environmental issues. We also offer several unique opportunities to get involved with sustainability research and activism that translate to a variety of emerging careers. You’ll graduate prepared for a range of fields, including applied environmental ecology, field biology, energy, environmental law, teaching, communications, government service, and private industry or consulting.

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Become a steward for Earth

You can join a range of student groups that bring awareness to environmental issues across campus and help the Waynesburg community become more eco-friendly. EcoStewards club hosts an annual Environmental Week; the campus recycling team creates and implements initiatives that promote sustainability; and Unity Trail student leaders conduct preservation research and practice environmental restoration along a two-mile wooded area on campus. This work will further strengthen your preparation and competitiveness for jobs or continued education in environmental science.

Connect with industry leaders

Our students achieve outstanding internship placements, both regionally and nationally, with prominent organizations like the National Science Foundation sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs, as well as state and federal government agencies, private counseling firms, and non-governmental organizations. Internships are a unique opportunity to obtain valuable training and experience with established scientists and other professionals while gaining definitive career and research experience using the latest technology.

Take interdisciplinary coursework

Courses in biology, ecology, chemistry, geology, environmental policy and mathematics comprise our interdisciplinary approach. Students also have the option of taking summer field-based environmental courses such as conservation biology, agroecology, stream ecology and wildlife ecology through the Au Sable Institute. Through the Waynesburg University lens, you’ll learn how to apply knowledge from the classroom to help preserve God’s Creation and make our planet a more sustainable and healthy place to live.

Learn in state-of-the-art facilities

Stewart Hall, the academic building that hosts most biology, environmental science, and marine biology core classes, has recently undergone extensive interior and exterior renovations to provide advanced science technology and tools. Here, you’ll conduct superior research and work with current equipment and instrumentation.

View the academic catalog to further explore the curriculum.

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Environmental Science Mission, Goals and Outcomes

Mission

Train scientists and multidisciplinary professionals to protect, preserve and restore God’s Creation and to provide knowledge for the development of solutions to address human impacts on the environment.

Goals

Facilitate meaningful laboratory and experiential learning to enhance student’s scientific development.
Engage students with technical and analytical skills used in research.
Create comprehensive courses in the biological environmental and health sciences to challenge student knowledge, skills and abilities.
Prepare students for a wide variety of post-baccalaureate paths, including graduate school or entry-level jobs.
Integrate communication skills, both written and oral, to work collectively with other disciplines, professions and communities.
Provide students the opportunity to identify and/or participate in faith-based discussions and/or actively partake in services of faith locally and the community at large.
Develop advising relationships with students to ensure they meet degree requirements and explore career options based on their interests and talents.

Outcomes

The students will be able to demonstrate appropriate laboratory or field procedures, methods and instrumentation for scientific study.
The students will be able to conduct, analyze and communicate scientific research.
The students will be able to recognize the hierarchy of course content and distinguish between the varieties of course offerings.
The students will be able to search for, apply for and obtain entry-level employment in their field of study or entrance into post-graduate programs.
The students will be able to communicate effectively to diverse populations and present professional work in writing.
The students will be able to explore their faith through communicating their thoughts through faith-based discussions, and/or by carrying out acts of service.
The students will be able to successfully navigate University requirements (registering for classes, etc.) and articulate to their advisor their degree completion plan.

Virtual Tour

View our home, Stewart Science Hall, and click on the additional media at the bottom to see the Waynesburg University Unity Trail.

Launch Experience

The Buzz
Thu, Oct 26

Waynesburg graduate moves on to coach at UCLA
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The Buzz
Tue, Oct 10

Athletic Training alum discovers love for education at Waynesburg and pursues Ph.D.
The Buzz
Wed, May 17

MSAT student receives prestigious NATA Scholarship
The Buzz
Thu, May 11

Students participate in “Acts of Kindness” assignment