Environmental Science (BS)

Director: Katie Costanzo, PhD
 

Introduction

The Environmental Science major is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for diverse careers in the environmental sciences, e.g., environmental and wildlife conservation, ecology, environmental consulting, environmental regulation and monitoring, and environmental health sciences (toxicology, occupational health, water quality industry), and environmental education. In addition, the curriculum facilitates entry into graduate programs in the ecological, environmental health and environmental sciences.

The Environmental Science program has an interdisciplinary focus with courses in the areas of biology, chemistry, geology, philosophy and social sciences. In addition, it is designed to provide job experiences through the completion of two required internships. For students interested in graduate study in the environmental sciences, one internship may be replaced with independent research in the environmental sciences.

Qualifications

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major and support courses and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in Environmental Science.

Advisement

All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one.  Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

The advisor may be changed at the student’s request.

Double Majors

Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement.  In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean. 

Per university policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major.  Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless completing the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.

Your advisor will be able to assist with course planning to facilitate a second major, so please let your advisor know if you are considering a dual major

Minors in Other Disciplines

Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major.  Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.

Major Experiences

All environmental science majors must complete two internship experiences. Recent internships have included New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environmental Protection Bureau, FORCES with NY State Office of Parks, TestAmerica Laboratories, Student Conservation Association of AmeriCorps, Erie County Department of Environmental Planning, Tifft Nature Preserve, Reinstein Nature Preserve and the Buffalo Museum of Science. We encourage students to work with any faculty member in the program to find internships that will best meet their goals and needs.

Curriculum

An Ignatian Foundation

All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.

Free Electives

Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).

Major Requirements

²

Students may choose 3 semesters of  BIO 301 , or BIO 401 or ENV 401 in lieu of their second internship. This option is recommended for students considering graduate school or a career in research.

Environmental Science Electives

Students must complete four of the following (at least three with labs):

NOTE: Most classes are offered every other year. Please check the advisement guide each semester to see which classes are being offered. The advisement guide will be used to indicate which courses students in each class year should be taking and when internship applications need to be submitted.

We encourage Environmental Science majors to take humanities classes that combine social and environmental issues like Environmental Ethics (PHI 244), Environment and Society (SOC 234), and Ecotheology (RST 347).

Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning Goal 1

Students will develop competency with respect to knowledge having  a firm grasp of the basic concepts in environmental science.

Students will:

Learning Goal 2

Students will develop problem-solving skills being able to perform the following.

Students will:

Learning Goal 3

Students will demonstrate mastery with respect to technical skills.

Students will:

Courses

Environmental Science Courses

Geology Course 

Other Major Requirement and Elective course descriptions can be found under listed under BIO or ABEC courses