Environmental Science

Department Chair-Stam

Environmental science is the study of the natural and human-made environment, attitudes that value the environment, and skills for identifying and addressing environmental problems and issues. It is rooted in the fundamental knowledge of biology, chemistry, geology and physics, as well as their interrelationships in the natural world. It leads us as a community to a sustainable environment, healthier lifestyle, and livable communities for the present and the future.

The Capital degree program seeks to prepare well-educated scientific professionals who can help our society achieve these goals. Graduates are prepared to enter a variety of careers such as environmental protection, natural resource management, community planning, policy analysis, and environmental education, or to continue their studies at the graduate level.

The major in environmental science is interdisciplinary, drawing upon a variety of faculty and departments throughout the university. Facilities in the biological sciences and chemistry departments provide the basis for scientific study, while courses in economics, public policy, ethics and writing are designed to help the student understand the underlying causes of many environmental problems, public perception of environmental problems, and the business and government systems with which one must work as an environmental scientist.

Students graduating with the B.A. in Environmental Science will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of core areas of the field including ecology, sustainability, public policy, chemistry, and geology as they apply to the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

2. Retrieve, critically evaluate, and explain information from the relevant scientific literature.

3. Use the scientific method to formulate research questions and hypotheses, and utilize appropriate methodologies, data collection, and computational analysis tools (including laboratory equipment and statistical analyses) to collect and analyze scientific data individually and collaboratively.

4. Critically assess environmental issues that impact society through project-based and hands-on learning, and make recommendations in a manner consistent with recognizing the unique role that humans play in the environment.

5. Communicate environmental science information effectively and appropriately for the discipline to different audiences in multiple formats.

6. Apply the skills, ethics, and points of view of a professional in the field to complete an internship experience.