B.A. Environmental Science / Studies
Environmental scientists study the effects of humans, industry, production and other sources of pollution on nature and the environment. Many of these professionals also do advocacy work, trying to curb as much environmental damage as possible. One of the best parts of majoring in environmental science is that it’s such a broad and generalized field, which can lead to a plethora of interesting professional opportunities.
The environmental science program at Concordia University, Nebraska will prepare you for various environmental careers by providing a core of required courses in different disciplines such as
- Natural resources
- Geography
- Chemistry
- Business
Help our planet survive and thrive!
Program Highlights
WHY STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AT CONCORDIA?
The environmental science major at Concordia University, Nebraska prepares students for careers as leaders in understanding and addressing complex environmental issues from a problem-oriented, interdisciplinary perspective. Graduates of the environmental science program will work to conserve our environment in the face of increasing human population growth and anthropogenic activities that degrade natural resources and ecosystems.
MEET OUR EXPERT FACULTY
As experts in environmental science, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom.
Meet our students
“Concordia's unique drone and GIS technologies coursework are useful for ecology, conservation, agriculture and fieldwork. We are in a constant search for ways to help and improve the relationship of humanity with the natural world.”
David Carrasco
Bogota, Columbia
Accreditation
Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Degree Goals
An environmental studies program graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:
- Develop a strong applied foundational knowledge of environmental systems including physical and biogeography, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and environmental chemistry.
- Understand the complex relationships between natural and human systems.
- apply mathematical and statistical concepts to field and laboratory data to study natural phenomena.
- Use GIS to solve geospatial problems.
- Design, execute and communicate scientific projects and research goals.
Natural Sciences Minors
- Agricultural Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Studies
- Physics
Career Outcomes
Environmental Engineer
- Prepare, review and update environmental reports, design projects and analyze scientific data
- Discover new ways to reduce waste, improve recycling, or manage air, water and soil pollution
Environmental Biologist
- Study the impact of human activities on ecosystems and the species living in them
- Monitor environmental conditions and conduct studies to determine how interaction by humans changes the ecosystem
Environmental Lawyer
- Advise clients on green standards and sustainability issues such as water and air quality, hazardous waste disposal, species protection and sustainability practices
- Specialize in environmental rights, international environmental law, climate change, sustainability or renewable energies
FAQs
What opportunities are available on Concordia University, Nebraska’s campus for environmental science majors?
Concordia Nebraska has many opportunities on campus to help you get the most out of your environmental science program. For instance, Concordia has a dedicated area of prairie for training and research in ecology, biology and other environmental sciences, giving you the opportunity to study native plants, animals, and insects in their natural environment.
Concordia’s Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business houses four biology lab spaces, three chemistry labs and a greenhouse as well as student research spaces for longer-term advanced projects, so you can receive hands-on, real-world, interactive learning, and conduct research on environmental science projects that are important to you.
Each spring, Concordia hosts the Concordia University Research Symposium. The symposium gives you the opportunity to present your personal research or project in either oral or poster presentation format.
Concordia also partners with Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Recovery Center, an organization that rehabilitates injured raptors. Students at Concordia can not only visit and tour the treatment center, but assist with educational programs, special events, or as part of the network that protects and restores raptors to their natural habitat.
Are there study abroad opportunities for environmental science majors?
At Concordia Nebraska, we know that sometimes the most important educational experiences happen outside the classroom. The best way to learn about environmental science is to explore different environments and the challenges and issues facing different types of ecosystems. To that end, we offer many different opportunities to study environmental science in the field, such as study trips as close as the Nebraska Sandhills or as far as the rainforest of Belize. There are also opportunities for service and mission trips, to places like Guatemala, Haiti and Sierra Leone.
What skills do I need to succeed in environmental science?
If you’re considering an environmental science major at Concordia University, Nebraska, you should be curious about the environment and possess a desire to help improve it. Environmental scientists combine analytical and communication skills to act as leaders on environmental issues. To be most successful, you should develop a solid foundation in
- chemistry,
- physics,
- geology,
- biology,
- mathematics,
- analysis and
- reasoning,
all of which you will study while at Concordia.
Related Programs
Agricultural Science
Through Concordia’s ag degree, you will study a broad selection of agriculture courses that look at food production from start to finish so you are ready for a career in agriculture or natural resource-related sales, ag finance, or work in an extension office, government agency, land use organization or in production agriculture as a farmer or rancher.
Biology
With a degree in biology from Concordia Nebraska, you will be prepared to begin a career in the biological sciences right away, or to continue your education in graduate, medical, dental or veterinary school. As a biology major at Concordia, you learn essential skills such as time management and mastering complex material, as well as studying more in-depth topics such as microbiology, human anatomy and immunology to give you the knowledge you need to be successful in the field of biology.
Agricultural Science
Through Concordia’s ag degree, you will study a broad selection of agriculture courses that look at food production from start to finish so you are ready for a career in agriculture or natural resource-related sales, ag finance, or work in an extension office, government agency, land use organization or in production agriculture as a farmer or rancher.
1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
2Average Class Size for Representative Subject Most Aligned with Major, Over Last 5 Years.