Students have the opportunity to take electives in topics of special interest such as ecological toxicology, environmental pollution, risk assessment, risk management and local, regional and global environmental issues. This highly interdisciplinary major encourages students to focus in areas such as environmental pollution, policy, ecological restoration & conservation, and soil science & biogeochemistry.

The major in Environmental Science is highly relevant to global and regional issues being faced today, including climate change, pollution, urbanization and resource use and extraction. This major provides students with a scientific background in the physical and biological sciences followed by courses that integrate these sciences in addressing environmental issues. The program also requires students to develop an understanding of social values and political implications associated with environmental decision making. Excellent employment opportunities for environmental scientists exist within the private sector, non-profit organizations, and local, state and national agencies. This major also prepares students for attaining graduate degrees in environment-related fields.