Photo of Environmental Science

B.A. Environmental Science

Major
120 credit hours
100% career outcome rate1

15:1
Student-to-faculty ratio

100%
Faculty with terminal degree

Our environment faces major challenges every day—from pollution to climate change to species extinction. These environmental challenges will require significant adjustments in the way we work, live, govern in order for our planet to survive and thrive. People will need to become more educated about how to adapt to and mitigate environmental issues, making a career in environmental science more important and vital than ever.

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. Whether you choose a career as an environmental scientist working in a lab or a natural resource manager in the field, environmental science is a great program choice for anyone who wants to make a difference for our planet.

The environmental science program at Concordia University, Nebraska will prepare you for a variety of environmental careers by providing a core of required courses in different disciplines. You can then choose your area of emphasis: natural resources, geography, chemistry or business. The environmental science major is intentionally diverse, to provide you with an understanding of the economic, social, scientific and political factors influencing environmental decision making and problem solving, and to help prepare you for the field of environmental science to which you feel called.

Environmental Science Courses

Program Differentiators

Core Concepts

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.

Dr. Jennifer Fruend - Biology

Biology professor Jennifer Fruend's favorite classes end in buckets of frogs and handfuls of snakes. Learn more about Dr. Fruend in this Faculty 5 video.

Dr. Joel Helmer - Geography

Dr. Joel Helmer teaches geography, a discipline that blends lots of different areas together to help us understand God's world. Learn more about Dr. Helmer in this Faculty 5 video.

 

 

Testimonials

 

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

Concordia NebraskaEnvironmental Science: Learning Objectives

Students will master core concepts and methods from ecological and physical sciences and their application in environmental problem solving.

Students will demonstrate proficiency in quantitative methods, qualitative analysis, critical thinking, and written and oral communication needed to conduct high-level work as interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners.

Students will apply systems concepts and methodologies to analyze and understand interactions between social and environmental processes.

Students will reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.

Concordia NebraskaEnvironmental Science: Program Goals

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Students will develop a strong applied foundational knowledge of environmental systems including physical and biogeography, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and environmental chemistry.

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Students will understand the complex relationships between natural and human systems.

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Students will be able to apply mathematical and statistical concepts to field and laboratory data to study natural phenomena.

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Students will be proficient in the use of GIS to solve geospatial problems.

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Students will be able to design, execute and communicate scientific projects and research goals.

Photo of Jennifer Photo of Joel Photo of Tim

Environmental Science Faculty

As experts in environmental science, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom.

Meet the faculty

Concordia NebraskaEnvironmental Science: FAQs

Concordia Nebraska Environmental Science: Career Outcomes

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers prepare, review and update environmental investigative reports, design projects that help preserve the environment and analyze scientific data to provide support and advise corporations and government agencies on environmental regulations and issues. As an environmental engineer, you might work on discovering new ways to reduce waste, improve recycling or enhance public health and manage air, water or soil pollution.

5% Annual Growth Rate2
$53,180 Entry-Level Salary2
$87,620 Mid-Level Salary2
$137,080 Late-Level Salary2

Environmental Biologist

Environmental biologists study the impact of human activities on ecosystems and the species living in them. If you choose to become an environmental biologist, you would monitor environmental conditions and conduct studies to determine how interaction by humans changes the ecosystem, currently or in the future. Environmental biologists often collect water and soil samples from the field that they can analyze using mathematical and statistical techniques. Depending on your field of specialization, you may determine the impact of wastewater discharge, agricultural or urban runoff or other conditions. Or, you might use your environmental science degree to monitor pollution levels, classify wetland types or conduct habitat assessments.

8% Annual Growth Rate2
$42,520 Entry-Level Salary2
$71,130 Mid-Level Salary2
$124,620 Late-Level Salary2

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental lawyers advise clients on green standards and sustainability issues, including water and air quality, hazardous waste disposal, species protection and sustainability practices. As an environmental lawyer, you might specialize in environmental rights, international environmental law, law of the sea or international resources law. Environmental lawyers also work in the areas of climate change, sustainability and renewable energies.

6% Annual Growth Rate2
$30,980 Entry-Level Salary2
$74,442 Mid-Level Salary2
$151,010 Late-Level Salary2

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists investigate, identify, prevent and solve environmental problems in order to ensure that the planet and all its living creature are kept safe. As an environmental scientist, you might conduct experiments to test how chemicals disperse during toxic spills, create maps or graphs that illustrate the effects of air pollution over time or evaluate the effect humans and wildlife have on one another. Whatever your specific area of expertise, as an environmental scientist, you would work to come up with solutions to help protect the environment.

11.1% Annual Growth Rate2
$28,230 Entry-Level Salary2
$45,490 Mid-Level Salary2
$77,960 Late-Level Salary2

Concordia NebraskaEnvironmental Science: Related Programs

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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.

Discover the Agricultural Science Program

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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.

Discover the Biology Program

1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.

2 Career salary and wages sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.