Students will work in interdisciplinary teams in a capstone course and in environmental research/internship projects attuned to Great Lakes, water resources, and energy resources issues. Students choosing the Environmental Field Science option will obtain additional strengths in field biology, geographic information systems, and environmental geoscience and field methods. Those choosing the Environmental Lab Science option will obtain additional strengths in analytical chemistry and environmental geochemistry. The curriculum permits additional specialization in allied areas through completion of minors in chemistry, biology, or statistics.

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field, meaning that it combines multiple academic studies. Environmental science draws from geology, geography, biology, chemistry, oceanography, limnology, atmospheric science, energy, and many other physical sciences. It also involves non-science areas such as engineering, law, political science, resource management, and environmental education. Study of environmental science prepares students to understand and solve problems at the human-earth interface. Environmental scientists understand environmental processes, analyze and solve environmental problems, and communicate the beneficial and adverse outcomes associated with human use of the Earth’s physical and living resources.