The Environmental Science Program is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students to graduate as environmental scientists with the skills needed to assist society in understanding and addressing complex environmental challenges.

Students graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Science from Kutztown University are:

• able to execute field and laboratory investigations based on sound scientific principles and techniques, with care and attention to detail.

• able to choose appropriate techniques for the collection, analysis, and presentation of quantitative, spatial, and temporal data.

• able to work as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team to apply knowledge of the complex interactions between physical and biological realms, draw conclusions, and develop action plans.

• able to effectively communicate a position using data and logical reasoning in appropriate written and oral formats.

Are these skills that you have and want to polish?  Are they skills you would like to acquire? There has never been a better time to pursue a degree, and a career, in the environmental sciences. Employment opportunities for trained environmental professionals are growing as fast as our need for innovative solutions to immediate and future environmental problems.

Students graduating from the KU Environmental Science Program apply their skills in a variety of settings.  Graduates have been very successful in obtaining environmental positions working for a variety of public and private-sector organizations including the PA and NJ Departments of Environmental Protection, PA Dept of Agriculture, Ohio Public Interest Research Group, Suburban Testing Labs, Clean Harbors Environmental, and the U.S. Department of Labor-Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

Starting salaries for all positions in the Earth and Environmental Science fields average $40,000/year and the median annual salary for all Earth and Environmental Scientists is ~$89,000.

Many of our students do not go immediately into the workforce, but instead pursue graduate degrees (both M.S. and Ph.D.). The interdisciplinary nature of the Environmental Science degree prepares students for graduate work in a variety of disciplines including Agronomy, Environmental Management, Marine Ecology, Environmental Pollution Control, Applied Ecology, Soil Science, and Carbon Sequestration.  Our graduates have received graduate degrees from institutions such as the University of Nevada – Reno, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University, the University of Miami, Frostburg State University, Central Michigan University, and Virginia Tech.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science requires students to take introductory coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Geography and then pursue a track of interest.

• Biology Track

  Students enrolled in the biology-track focus on additional upper-division courses that develop field and laboratory skills as well as additional knowledge of plants, animals, and ecosystems. This prepares them for careers that focus on conservation, restoration, and preservation of natural environments.

  Biology Track Requirements & Example 4-Year Schedule

• Chemistry Track

  Students enrolled in the chemistry-track focus on additional upper-division courses that develop laboratory and instrumentation skills as well as additional knowledge of key chemical priniciples and their applications.  This prepares them well for careers that focus on the analysis of environmental pollutants in a wide variety of matrices.

  Chemistry Track Requirements & Example 4-Year Schedule

• Geology Track

  Students enrolled in the geology-track focus on additional upper-division courses that develop field and instrumentation skills as well as additional knowledge of physical earth systems.  This prepares them well for careers focused on environmental health, contaminant remediation, and natural resource availability.

  Geology Track Requirements & Example 4-Year Schedule

• Geography Track

  Students enrolled in the geography-track focus on additional upper-division courses that develop computational and spatial analysis skills as well as additional knowledge of planning, mapping, weather, and climate. This prepares them well for careers in planning, development, and data organization and management.

  Geography Track Requirements & Example 4-Year Schedule

Environmental Science Core Classes

"Environmental Science majors want to be in the experience, not just viewing it from a classroom."

-Drew Labenberg Junior Environmental Science-Geography Track major

What do students "do" as an environmental science major?

"People in this Program have a strong desire to make a positive change."

-Dillion James Junior Environmental Science-Chemistry Track major

Student Learning Outcomes

• BS in Environmental Science
  1. Students completing the B.S. in Environmental Science degree will be able to execute field and laboratory investigations based on sound scientific principals and techniques, with care and attention to detail.
  2. Students completing the B.S. in Environmental Science degree will be able to effectively communicate a position using data and logical reasoning in appropriate written and oral formats.
     
  3. Students completing the B.S. in Environmental Science degree will be able to work as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team to apply knowledge of the complex interactions between physical and biological realms, draw conclusions, and develop action plans.
  4. Students upon completing the B.S. in Environmental Science degree will be able to choose appropriate techniques for the collection, analysis, and presentation of quantitative, spatial, and temporal data.
     

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