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Earth's Ecosystems Await

Fredonia’s Environmental Sciences program prepares you to be a leader in conservation and sustainability. Take your passion for the environment to the next level with Fredonia’s Environmental Sciences program. This comprehensive B.S. degree integrates biology, chemistry, and geosciences to provide you with a deep understanding of the Earth’s ecosystems and the critical issues facing our planet. By combining rigorous coursework with real-world experiences like internships and faculty-led research, you’ll be ready to make a tangible impact in fields ranging from conservation science to environmental planning.

What You’ll Gain

  • Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Build expertise in biology, chemistry, and geosciences, connecting these disciplines to address complex environmental challenges.
  • Hands-On Experience: Engage in internships with conservation departments, consulting firms, or municipal organizations, applying your learning in real-world settings.
  • Research Skills: Work directly with faculty on research projects that explore ecosystem dynamics, resource management, and environmental policy.
  • Analytical Expertise: Develop the critical thinking and data analysis skills needed to interpret scientific data and assess environmental impacts.
  • Sustainability Insight: Gain a deep understanding of sustainable practices and participate in Fredonia’s sustainability initiatives, including Earth Week events and campus-led environmental programs.

Career Opportunities for Environmental Sciences

  • Aquatic and fishery research/management
  • Conservation Officer
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Meteorologist
  • Resource Management
  • Climate Change Analyst
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Policy Analyst
  • Wildlife Management
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What does a 4-year degree look like?

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What are all the required and elective courses offered to obtain this degree?

ESCI 105 Global Environmental Issues

The course's objective is to increase student awareness of the environmental issues that affect different parts of the world and the planet as a whole. The course will explore the historical roots of the problems and how different societies deal with environmental degradation. Topics will include overpopulation, food production, water scarcity, pollution and global climate change, among others.

ESCI 310: Methods in Environmental Analysis

Students will learn key methods in laboratory and field methods for analysis of environmental samples. In this combined lecture and laboratory course, students will perform field collections for water, soil, and air samples, conduct contaminant experiments, develop technical writing skills, and gain experience with various analytical instruments related to environmental samples.

ESCI 410: Environmental Assessment

Introduction to concepts involved in risk assessment and how they are applied to formulating a human or ecological risk assessment. Modern methods and models describing environmental risk assessment strategies will be emphasized. Topics will include fate and transport processes of pollutants in the environment, data evaluation, air and water quality, human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, and hazardous waste remediation. Case studies will be drawn from the contemporary literature and students will formulate a risk assessment as part of a team.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm

Environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health.

  • Median Salary: $100,090 per year
  • Job Outlook 2023-2033: 7% growth
  • Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Environmental Scientists

Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health.

  • Median Salary: $78,980 per year
  • Job Outlook 2023-2033: 7% growth
  • Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Natural Science Managers

Natural science managers plan, supervise, or coordinate research across many scientific in fields.

  • Median Salary: $157,740 per year
  • Job Outlook 2023-2033: 8% growth
  • Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree
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