Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science

Versatile and interdisciplinary, a degree in environmental science gives you tools from multiple disciplines and departments to create a program that fits your individual career goals

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BS) in environmental science are prepared for careers in environmental compliance, natural resources management, environmental health and safety, and for graduate and professional programs.

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Degree Information

An environmental science degree at Missouri S&T commences with a first-year seminar course that is taken concurrently with an introductory environmental science course, creating familiar student cohorts that can support and motivate one another through the program. Throughout their four years in the program, students are trained in five core areas: economics, biology, geology, environmental engineering, and humanities. In addition, they build foundational skills in mathematics, physical science, and communications. As they progress through the program, students increasingly connect ideas from among and within core areas to build their understanding of the integrated multidisciplinary concepts in environmental science. During their junior and senior years, students will be able to customize their degrees by selecting from a diverse array of elective courses within core areas. The degree’s flexible upper division elective choices also allow students to specialize and earn minors in core areas if they choose to do so. 

Students apply the skills they learn in the classroom in hands-on laboratory and field courses. Students will finish their senior year with a capstone course that will be designed to engage them in professional development, connect them to career opportunities, hone their research and presentation skills through hands-on projects, and foster lifelong collegial relationships with their peers and instructors through intensive group work.

This curriculum benefits from a flexible design that allows students who may be transitioning from other programs on campus to complete the program in a timely manner. In addition, the degree creates opportunities for students to complete multiple minors within the degree, adding focus and strength to the interdisciplinary foundation.

All students pursuing the degree complete our interdisciplinary set of core courses and then can tailor their advanced electives with assistance from their academic advisor to their individual career goals. Degrees in this program are bolstered by coursework in chemistry, mathematics and physics. Actual curriculum plans may vary depending on transfer credit, math placement, and timing and availability of desired elective options.  These examples do not include all options available to students for completing a degree in this program.  For further details, please consult the undergraduate catalog.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

A bachelor of science degree in environmental science requires 120 hours of coursework spread across 3 colleges and 6 disciplines. In addition, students complete an introductory freshman seminar for the major and an immersive capstone course where they prepare an environmental report from start to finish for an actual client.  Visit our course catalog for a full description of coursework or check out our sample curriculum, which guides you through one path to a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Science in 8 semesters.

The curriculum meets the requirements for industrial, federal and state entry-level environmental scientist positions. In addition, the curriculum prepares students for entry into graduate programs in environmental science, natural resources management, sustainability, forestry, and ecology.

Our campus in Rolla is situated in the middle of some of Missouri’s most prolific environmental resources and near some of the state’s most expansive environmental industries (e.g., mining, forestry, outdoor recreation). Missouri S&T also fosters strong connections with industry and creates opportunities for students through bi-annual job fairs, providing students with ample opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships, cooperative learning experiences, and volunteer opportunities. Program-affiliated faculty also offer connections to government and industry partners, laboratory and field research opportunities, and mentorship toward career goals. 

There is no formal accreditation or licensure process for environmental scientists. Certification programs are available through the Ecological Society of America and other professional organizations. In conjunction with the minimum number of required years of experience, our curriculum meets the requirements for these certifications.

Listed below are the core courses for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science. These courses prepare students to be versatile employees with a breadth of knowledge across relevant disciplines. This broad preparation creates uniquely skilled scientists who are comfortable working with interdisciplinary data.

Department of Biological Sciences

  • BIO SCI 1173 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 1223 Biodiversity (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 1229 Biodiversity Lab (LAB 1.0)
  • BIO SCI 2223 General Genetics (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 2263 Ecology (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 4313 Introduction to Environmental Microbiology (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV SCI 1110: Freshman Seminar (1.0)
  • ENV SCI 4028: Environmental Science Capstone (LEC 3.0)

Department of Economics

  • ECON 1100 Principles of Microeconomics (LEC 3.0)
  • ECON 1200 Principles of Macroeconomics (LEC 3.0)
  • ECON 4641 Foundations of Sustainability (LEC 3.0)

Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

  • CIV ENG 5640 Environmental Law and Regulations (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV ENG 2601 Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering and Science (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0)
  • ENV ENG 2602 Biological Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV ENG 5642 Sustainability, Population, Energy, Water, and Materials (LEC 3.0)

Department of Geology, Geological and Petroleum Engineering

  • GEOLOGY 1110 Physical and Environmental Geology (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0)
  • GEOLOGY 2610 or GEOLOGY 2611 Physical Mineralogy and Petrology (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0)
  • GEOLOGY 4310 Remote Sensing Technology (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0)
  • GEO ENG 3148 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0)
  • GEO ENG 5331 Subsurface Hydrology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0)

Department of History and Political Science

  • HISTORY 1200 Modern Western Civilization (LEC 3.0) or HISTORY 1300 American History To 1877 (LEC 3.0) or HISTORY 1310 American History Since 1877 (LEC 3.0)
  • HISTORY 4470 American Environmental History (LEC 3.0) or HISTORY 2510, 3530, or 3510
  • POL SCI 1200 American Government (LEC 3.0)

Department of Arts, Language and Philosophy

  • PHILOS 1130 Introduction to Ethics (LEC 3.0)
  • PHILOS 4350 Environmental Ethics (LEC 3.0)

Other Departments

  • CHEM 1100 Intro to Lab Safety and Hazardous Materials (LAB 1.0)
  • CHEM 1310 General Chemistry I (RSD 2.0 and LEC 2.0)
  • CHEM 1319 General Chemistry Laboratory (LAB 1.0)
  • CHEM 1320 General Chemistry II (LEC 3.0)
  • ENGLISH 1120 Exposition and Argumentation (LEC 3.0)
  • ENGLISH 1160 Writing and Research (LEC 3.0)
  • MATH 1208, 1211, 1212, or 1214 Survey of Calculus (LAB 1.0, LEC 3.0)
  • PHYSICS 1135 or 1145 College Physics I (LEC 4.0)
  • GEO ENG 4115 or STAT 3425 Introduction to Biostatistics (LAB 1.0 and LEC 3.0)

Advanced Electives

Below is a list of courses that can count toward advanced elective credit for a degree in Environmental Science.  Please note that this list is not inclusive.  Students will work with their academic advisor to tailor their degree to their specific career goals.

  • BIO SCI 2242 Cave Biology (LEC 1.0, LAB 1.0)
  • BIO SCI 2252 Vegetation of the Ozarks (LAB 1.0, LEC 1.0)
  • BIO SCI 2264 Field Ecology (LAB 1.0, LEC 1.0)
  • BIO SCI 2353 Zoology (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 2372 Issues in Public Health (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 2383 Plant Biology (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 2389 Plant Biology Laboratory (LAB 1.0)
  • BIO SCI 3353 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (LAB 2.0 and LEC 2.0)
  • BIO SCI 4343 Introduction to Geomicrobiology (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 4363 Freshwater Ecology (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 4383 Toxicology (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 4423 Introduction to Astrobiology (LEC 3.0)
  • BIO SCI 4563 Global Ecology (LEC 3.0) 
  • ECON 4540 Energy Economics (LEC 3.0)
  • ECON 4440 Environmental and Natural Resources Economics (LEC 3.0)
  • ECON 4643 Ethical Problems in a Global Environment (LEC 3.0)
  • ECON 5644 Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability (LEC 3.0)
  • CHEM 4710 Principles of Environmental Monitoring (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV ENG 3615 Water and Wastewater Engineering (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV ENG 5605 Environmental Systems Modeling (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV ENG 5630 Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater and Soil (LEC 2.0, LAB 1.0)
  • ENV ENG 5635 Phytoremediation and Natural Treatment Systems (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV ENG 5660 Introduction to Air Pollution (LEC 3.0)
  • ENV ENG 5662 Air Pollution Control Methods (LEC 3.0)
  • GEOLOGY 4310 Remote Sensing Technology (LEC 2.0, LAB 1.0)
  • GEOLOGY 4411 Hydrogeology (LAB 1.0, LEC 2.0)
  • GEOLOGY 4711 Paleoclimatology and Paleoecology (LEC 3.0)
  • GEOLOGY 4721 Meteorology and Climatology (LEC 3.0)
  • GEOLOGY 5681 Lidar Principles and Applications (LEC 3.0)
  • GEOLOGY 5741 Micropaleontology (LEC 2.0, LAB 1.0)
  • GEO ENG 4115 Statistical Methods in Geology and Engineering (LEC 3.00)
  • GEO ENG 4276 Environmental Aspects of Mining (LEC 3.0)
  • GEO ENG 5233 Risk Assessment in Environmental Studies (LEC 3.0)

Your Career in Environmental Science

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental scientists are in high demand due to increased public interest in environmental hazards, climate change, and the needs of a growing population. Many careers are concentrated in state and local governments and in industries that provide consulting services. According to 10-year projections, the market growth in demand for environmental scientists (8%), will exceed the average job growth demand (5%) and demand for wildlife biologists (5%), chemists (4%), and geoscientists (6%). 

In addition to Environmental Scientist and Specialist jobs, a degree in Environmental Science qualifies graduates for a broad array of other positions not typically listed under “Environmental Scientist and Specialist” job titles.  Our Environmental Science degree’s coursework meets the minimum education qualifications for positions with titles such as wetlands biologist, biological science technician, ecologist, natural resources manager, land steward, conservation specialist, environmental educator, and forestry technician with private, state, federal, and NGO agencies.  Students with an Environmental Science degree also may choose to pursue graduate and professional programs. 

$71,360

Average salary for environmental scientists and specialists,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

8%

Projected growth in demand for environmental scientists,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Placement

Top employers for our graduates

Missouri Department of Conservation

Below is a list of employers where Environmental Science students are currently working as interns:

  • White Sulphur Springs Fisheries

  • New Madrid Power Plant

  • Onondaga State Park

  • Meramac State Park

  • Proenergy

  • US Forest Service

  • Yellowstone National Park

  • Rocky Mountain National Park

  • PLZ Corp

  • Ingenae Civil Engineering

  • Associated Electirc Co-Op

  • Wattlo Electric

  • Missouri Department of Conservation

  • Catalytic Innovations

  • The Nature Conservancy

  • Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

  • WSP

  • Emerson Climate Technologies

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For questions, comments, or for more information about our degree and the exciting opportunities that this program offers, e-mail us at envsci@mst.edu.