Environmental Science, B.S.

The Environmental Science major is intended for students seeking careers in environmental and ecological fields, including environmental consulting, government, parks and recreation, teaching, research, environmental law, and other areas requiring strength in environmental science. This major also prepares students for graduate programs in ecology and environmental science.

The Environmental Science major requires specific support courses in chemistry, mathematics, and other subjects. Students should be aware that some post-baccalaureate degree programs require other courses for admission and should discuss course options with their advisors before making course decisions.

Grade Policy 

This policy applies to students majoring in Environmental Science.

1.  A grade of D- or higher must be earned in all courses required for the major or minor unless indicated otherwise. Students earning a C- or lower (including withdrawal) in a course can opt to retake the course, subject to the university’s Course Attempt Policy.

2. Students must complete all of the major requirements with an average GPA of at least 2.0.

3. Students who earn an average GPA below 2.0 in all courses required for the major at the conclusion of a semester will be placed on departmental academic warning.

Dismissal Policy  

Students may be dismissed from the major after being placed on departmental academic warning for three semesters.

Major and Minor Requirements

Students may earn a degree in only one of the three majors in the Biology Department (Biology, Cell & Molecular Biology, or Environmental Science). A maximum of 3 credits of BL 2950, BL 3980 and BL 3990 combined will be accepted for the Environmental Science major. Transfer students majoring in Environmental Science must complete a minimum of 50% of the credit hours required for the degree in the Biology Department at John Carroll University.

Professional Development Program

The Biology Department participates in the College of Arts and Sciences Professional Development Program, as designed for the majors in biology. Completion of the program will be noted in a student's academic transcript.

Additional Information

Many courses offered by the department include a laboratory and/or field-work component which are listed as separate courses that immediately follow the corresponding lecture course.

Program Learning Goals in Environmental Science

Students will:

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of environmental science and develop competency in biology, chemistry, and earth science.

   • Understand the basic chemical principles, cell structure and organization, and metabolism of living organisms.

   • Understand plant and animal anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on form and function.

   • Understand the diversity of organisms, systemic biology and phylogeny, and biological interactions over geological time.

   • Understand the role of evolution in generating the diversity of form and function seen in life on Earth.

   • Understand the role of the environment in determining the outcome of biological interactions.

   • Identify the consequences of environmental changes arising from human activities.

2. Use critical thinking to evaluate and interpret biological and environmental phenomena.

   • Critically assess and accurately interpret scientific data presented in visual or tabular form.

   • Identify the scientific underpinnings of current environmentally-themed news.

3. Collect and analyze scientific data and communicate its importance through effective oral and written presentation.

   • Demonstrate competence in conducting original research.

   • Present research results orally and in writing.

Major Requirements

39-42 credit hours of biology, plus 23-25 credits of support courses in other departments. Courses are to be chosen with advisor approval and always include applicable laboratory corequisites. Students should refer to the registration website to identify appropriate courses to complete the core requirements in the major (i.e., additional writing (AW), capstone (C), and oral presentation (OP) courses).

Required Courses:

Plus two courses (minimum of 6 credits) from the following: (including laboratory corequisite)

Required Support Courses:

Plus one course (minimum 3 credits) or course sequence from:

Strongly Recommended:

BL1500-1705 is the normal introductory sequence for biology and environmental science majors. If, for a reason acceptable to the department, BL1505, BL1605, and BL1705 are taken separately from BL1500, BL1600, and BL1700, the student is expected to take BL1500, BL1600, and BL1700 or their equivalents before taking the laboratory courses. Entering freshmen will receive advanced placement and/or advanced standing in accord with scores listed in Advanced Placement.