In Environmental Science we employ biology, chemistry, ecology, as well as the social sciences and communication to assess, mediate, and manage human impact upon natural environments. Your calling to use science to care for the environment can lead to careers in environmental consulting, research, engineering, and government.
Why AU?
Close-knit community
We’re small and close-knit. Our intro classes and labs are capped at 24 students, and the same professor who teaches your lecture will teach your lab. You can’t expect to have such small intro classes and labs at a large research university. Because we’re small, you can personally know all of your profs and fellow students. You can be on a first-name basis with everyone in the Department of Biology.
Nearby habitats/outdoor laboratories
Even though we’re a relatively small school, you’ll have an incredible resource in the Rocky River Nature Park, which consists of about 200 acres of wetlands owned partly by Anderson University. You can learn and practice assessing water quality through studying its dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and bacterial content. In addition to wetlands, the South Carolina coast and foothills are close, valuable natural resources to study.
Environmental science internship opportunities
Upstate South Carolina is home to county government agencies charged with overseeing industry compliance to laws that regulate storm water discharge and other environmental concerns. Through our contacts, you can seek internships at these agencies to get career practice in environmental regulation through environmental surveillance and the issuance of permits.
Environmental stewardship
As believers, we have a biblical mandate to care for God’s creation. From chapel services to field work, you’ll be encouraged to be stewardship-minded as you complete your program at AU. And as an Environmental Science grad, you’ll be a leader in our care for the planet.
Career Outlook
When you graduate from AU, you’ll have the skills to perform environmental assessments, which developers need before breaking ground on projects. You’ll know how to apply for storm water permits and complete environmental surveys, which screen for endangered plants and animals and wetlands. In short, you’ll be equipped to serve as an environmental consultant and create the reports your clients need to build or develop in a region. In addition, you’ll have the skills to perform environmental research and educate the public on environmental issues. The B.S. in Environmental Science will prepare you for work or graduate study in the following fields:
- Environmental consulting
- Industry compliance
- Research
- Government and environmental agencies
- Wildlife biology (monitoring population changes)
- Environmental toxicology
- Natural resource management
- Environmental engineering (e.g. design waste water treatment plant)
- Marine biology
- Biology
B.S. in Environmental Studies (120 credit hours)
University Core Requirements (41), including:
BIO 110 Principles of Biology 1 (4)
MAT 108 Probability and Statistics (3)
Major Core Requirements (32 credit hours)
BIO 111 Principles of Biology 2 (4)
BIO 130 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3)
CHE 111 General Chemistry 1 (5)
CHE 112 General Chemistry 2 (5)
BIO 212 Principles of Biology 3 (4)
BIO 251 Scientific Communication (1)
BIO 320 Ecology (4)
BIO 355 Conservation Biology (3)
BIO 358 Intro to GIS (1)
BIO 351 Research Methods (1)
BIO 495 Research/Internship (1)
Program Upper-Level (minimum of 16 total – minimum 8 at 400-level)
BIO 305 Comparative Anatomy (4)
BIO 315 Intro to Marine Biology (4)
BIO 335 Ornithology (4)
BIO 400 Animal Physiology
BIO 425 Wetlands Biology (4)
BIO 430 Field Biology (4)
Cognate Requirements (3-4)
MAT 107 College Trigonometry (3)
or MAT 140 Analytic Geometry and Calculus (4)
General Electives (~27-28 credit hours)
Other suggestions, based on career plans:
CHE 201/204 Organic Chemistry 1 (4)
CHE 203/206 Organic Chemistry 2 (4)
CHE 215 Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHE 301 Biochemistry (4)
CHE 310 Instrumental Analysis (4)
Certifications (e.g.):
USACE Wetland Delineation Certificate
Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control (CEPSCI) Inspector