Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree at Seattle University provides the technical background necessary for students who wish to develop a career studying environmental systems. The major provides tools students will need as they become environmental professionals. These include coursework in mathematics, natural sciences, field methods, mapping tools, and the quantitative data analysis approaches that are increasingly part of this interdisciplinary field. The major also provides strong professional preparation and deep understanding of the scientific process through a year-long senior Capstone project in which teams of three to five students work on a real-world project with an external sponsoring organization. The environmental science degree offers a broad background in the basic and applied sciences, with foundation courses in general biology and ecology, chemistry, and environmental engineering. The major is partially self-designed, allowing each student to take additional upper-division courses in areas of interest, such as water resources, biology, environmental economics, or chemical analysis of environmental samples. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is designed to allow students to obtain a minor in their area of interest; options include biology, chemistry, economics, and environmental engineering. The balance of scientific/technical training in the major and liberal arts in the Core provides sound preparation for environmental field work, law school, advocacy, or graduate school in a variety of disciplines. The curriculum culminates in a year-long capstone experience enabling students to apply their learning to real-world problems.