The College of Arts and Sciences:  Environmental Science

Today, there is increasing awareness of the importance of preserving the environment.  However, resources are still being depleted, waste is growing, and regulations are increasing. Although improved compliance of environmental regulations has helped, work must continue to ensure that natural resources are preserved. 

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Science degree is designed to prepare graduates for careers in environmentally related fields, as well as admission to highly recognized graduate programs.  The curriculum combines business principles, hands-on field and laboratory research experience, personalized career advising, global perspectives, and international study opportunities.

If applying for admission to the Environmental Science program, in addition to general application requirements, selected students will be required to have an on-campus interview (at Bryant's expense).

"What's unique about this program is the intensive, nine-credit research component, working one-on-one with a faculty member. No other undergraduate program offers this depth of research experience, the required business minor, and an international component. Our students will learn how to incorporate sustainable practices into every industry."

-Dan McNally, professor of science and technology

The Environmental Science minor provides a core understanding of the issues and challenges of protecting the environment, and the techniques to preserve it. The minor is available to students majoring in business or seeking a second minor. Five courses are required for the minor, which offer a critical understanding of the field.

Studying Environmental Science at Bryant

Technological advances have been critical to the development of modern culture and business; however, the environment has suffered drastically as a consequence.  Increased knowledge and understanding of the impact of societal systems on environmental science is essential to addressing these consequences, including the development of sustainable business practices.

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Science degree offers small classes and extensive student-faculty interaction, including two semesters of direct research experience.  Newly designed, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities provide students with opportunities for hands-on investigation of challenging environmental problems and policy decisions.  Students gain fundamental technical knowledge to develop a critical understanding of local and global environmental science issues and address environmental policy challenges.

Download a .pdf of the curriculum requirements

Courses

In addition to the Bachelor of Science degree requirements, the major in Environmental Science requires:

Eight courses, 4 labs, and 2 semesters of research are required to complete the major:

Level 1 Courses:

• SCI 251 + SCIL 251 General Biology + Lab
• SCI 265 + SCIL 265 General Chemistry + Lab
• SCI 262 Physical Geology
• SCI264 Physics
• SCI 351 Ecology

One of the following labs:

• Physical Geology (SCI L262)
• Physics (SCI L264)
• Ecology (SCI L351)

Level 2 Courses: 3 lectures + 1 lab + 1 400 level course:

• SCI 366 Coastal Environments
• SCI 375 Environmental Study in China
• SCI 385 Special Topics: Conservation in National Parks
• SCI 355 Energy Management Strategies + Lab (SCI L355)
• SCI 371 Human Impacts on Land and Life + Lab (SCI L371)
• SCI 372 Sustaining Air and Water + Lab (SCI L372)
• SCI 377 Microbiology + Lab (SCI L377)
• SCI 376 GIS for Environment Decision Making + Lab (SCI L376)
• SCI 457 Environment Toxicology and Risk Assessment
• SCI 460 Systems Modeling
• SCI 458 Global Change and Geochemical Impact

Research (choose 2):

• SCI 397 Research Directed Study (junior year)
• SCI 497 Research Directed Study (senior year)
• SCI 475 Onsite Environmental Study in China (summer)

Capstone Course:

SCI 455 Environmental Policy: Decision Making and Problem Solving

Five courses are required to complete the minor:

Core courses: (choose two with lab)

SCI 262 Physical Geology and lab (SCI L262)
SCI 265 General Chemistry and lab (SCI L265)
SCI 351 Ecology and lab (SCI 351)
SCI 377 Microbiology and lab (SCI377)

Applied courses: (choose two; no lab required)

SCI 366 Coastal Oceanography
SCI 355 Energy Management Strategies
SCI 371 Sustaining Air and Water
SCI 372 Human Impact on Land and Life
SCI 375 Environmental Study in China
SCI 376 GIS for Environmental Decision Making
SCI 457 Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
SCI 460 Systems Modeling
SCI 458 Global Change and Geochemical Impact

Capstone course: (required)

SCI 455 Environmental Policy: Decision Making and Problem Solving

For complete course descriptions, please refer to the course catalog.  Courses are listed in alphabetical order.

Department Resources

The Science and Technology faculty have diverse backgrounds in the multi-disciplinary field of environmental science.  They are committed to working one-on-one with students through collaborative research, review sessions, and individual tutoring.  New, modern facilities and instrumentation enhance student awareness of workplace settings and prepare graduates for advanced research studies.

An understanding of environmental science is a valuable asset to any organization where environmental issues and opportunities are involved in everyday business decisions.  In addition, students will have the knowledge to successfully work with manufacturers or service providers who must comply with changing environmental regulations.  Most importantly, students are trained as leaders in implementing sustainable business practices. 

Opportunities After Graduation

The Environmental Studies major and minor prepare students for a range of business, manufacturing, and engineering careers, including:

• Conservation scientist
• Environmental scientist
• Renewable energy specialist
• Climate change analyst
• Environmental engineering technician
• Environmental inspector
• State and federal environmental agency staff
• Forestry technician
• Wildlife officer
• Park rangers
• Fisheries manager
• Preserve manager
• Wetlands specialist
• Community organizers
• Public interest activists
• Environmental educators
• Environmental journalist
• Environmental policy analyst
• Energy manager
• Corporate environmental officer
• Environmental business entrepreneur
• Laboratory or field chemist
• Agricultural and food scientist
• Food inspector
• Geoscientist
• Environmental mapping specialist
• Bioremediation specialist
• Toxicological researcher
• Pollution control specialist
• Natural resource specialist
• Land use analyst

Students are also well prepared to pursue further graduate study in these areas.

For More Information

To learn more about the Environmental Science major or minor, please contact:

Gaytha A. Langlois, PhD
Professor of Environmental Policy
Department of Science and Technology
langlois@bryant.edu

or

Dan McNally, PhD
Associate Professor of Environmental Science
Department of Science and Technology
dlm1@bryant.edu

Science Labs

Over the summer, all of Bryant's science labs were renovated and updated. Here's a quick peek! We encourage you to visit campus to see them for yourself!