Environmental Science (Major/Minor)

Are you passionate about exploring God’s creation, learning how it works, and discovering how to care for it?

Taylor University’s Environmental Science program integrates biology, chemistry, and geology with study of environmental laws and policies, economics, and ethics for an interdisciplinary understanding of the Earth and our environment.

You’ll study year-round in Taylor’s 145-acre arboretum—where we teach our courses with outdoor, field-based, hands-on learning. You’ll learn about diverse natural systems and the investigative techniques to conserve and restore the environment. And we don’t stay in Indiana. Students expand their field learning in our specialized summer field course in the western national parks, as well as international opportunities in Ecuador and Africa.

Environmental Science Degrees

BS in Environmental Science
Minor in Environmental Science

Degree
Minor

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Build Skills In:

General, organic, and biochemistry
Biology and ecology
Geology
Soil science
Environmental law and policy
Environmental ethics and stewardship
Sustainability

Career Opportunities:

Environmental scientist
Environmental lawyer
Wildlife biologist
Conservation scientist
Hydrologist
Restoration ecologist
Natural resource manager

View Biology, Environmental Science & Sustainable Development Department

View Faculty

Studying Environmental Science

The Environmental Science major will provide you with a broad foundation in the principles of environmental systems and appropriate technical skills to care for it.

You’ll focus on living organisms and their relationship to the earth, learn to classify plant species, and assess the integrity of ecological systems in courses such as taxonomy, anatomy, systems ecology, and vertebrate natural history.

You’ll also investigate the physical properties and processes of the earth and how to best preserve and restore natural resources through courses on soil science, hydrology, and environmental planning.

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Environmental Science Curriculum Guides & Degree Options

Students interested in course descriptions and academic policies can check out our Undergraduate Catalog.

Core Environmental Science major courses will provide you with a strong foundation in the systems and principles of general environmental issues and technical skills. You can choose to concentrate further on geology or biology and explore specific environmental issues and processes:

Biology Concentration:

Focus on living organisms and their relationship to the earth. You will learn to classify plant species and assess the integrity of ecological systems in courses such as taxonomy, anatomy, systems ecology, vertebrate natural history. Learn to develop sustainable food systems with courses in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Geology Concentration:

Investigate the earth’s physical structure and substance with the geology track. You will inspect the processes that act upon the earth and how to best preserve natural resources through courses on soil science, earth materials, geomorphology, hydrology, water resources, and resource planning.

A Taylor liberal arts education will prepare you to live and work in a fast-changing world. It also goes a step further: laying a strong spiritual foundation that cultivates wisdom. You’ll become a well-versed individual, equipped with critical thinking skills, a lifelong love of learning, and an appreciation for God’s creation.

View Foundational Core Curriculum.

Sam Odell

Class of 2022

Through my major, I studied Field Natural History in the Black Hills of South Dakota, assisted in caring for honeybees and restoration ecology projects like prairie restoration, and participated in wetland delineation.
Annie Stimmel

Class of 2020

My professors’ beliefs were rooted in God’s call to be good stewards and creation’s caregivers. They passed on their enthusiasm for sustainability and agriculture to me.
Emily Schmidt

Class of 2018

Opportunities like field trips and undergraduate research connected me with professionals and provided career opportunities that I wouldn’t have received at any other university.