Environmental Science
Bachelor of Science
As a student in the environmental science major, you'll gain a strong grounding in core sciences like biology, chemistry, geology and physics, integrated with specialized environmental coursework. From climate change and biodiversity loss to sustainable resource management, you'll be prepared to make a tangible difference.
Fall
- Biology 160: General Biology I............ 3cr.
- Biology 161: General Biology I Lab............ 1cr.
- Chemistry 160: General Chemistry I............ 3cr.
- Chemistry 161: General Chemistry I Lab............ 1cr.
- Core 100: First-Year Seminar or Theology 111............ 3cr.
- English101 or 115: Composition or Rhetoric............ 3cr.
- Core 101: GOA............ 0cr.
Spring
- Biology 162: General Biology II............ 3cr.
- Biology 163: General Biology II Lab............ 1cr.
- Chemistry 162: General Chemistry II............ 3cr.
- Chemistry 163: General Chemistry II Lab............ 1cr.
- Core 100: First-Year Seminar or Theology 111............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 100: Ethics as Intro............ 3cr.
- Core 102: GOA............ 0cr.
Fall
- Biology 250: Ecology............ 3cr.
- Biology 251: Ecology Lab............ 1cr.
- Mathematics 140/150 or Mathematics 156............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- English 205: Lit & the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Second Language I............ 3cr.
Spring
- Biology 260: Intro Environmental Science (DCR)............ 3cr.
- Biology 261: Intro Environmental Science Lab............ 1cr.
- ENVS - Non Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Economics 200: Microeconomics............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Second Language II............ 3cr.
Fall
- Physics 160: College Physics............ 3cr.
- Physics 161: Introductory Physics Lab I............ 1cr.
- Math or Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 200: Philosophical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- ENVS - None Science Elective*............ 3cr.
- Math 140/150 or Math 156............ 3cr.
Spring
- Physics 162: College Physics............ 3cr.
- Physics 163: Introductory Physics Lab I............ 1cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- Social Science or General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Biology 495, 497 or 498: Internship/Methods BR I............ 2cr.
- Science or Math Elective............ 5cr.
- Economics 320: Natural Resource Economics E/RS............ 3cr.
- General Elective (DCR)............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- Biology 495, 496 or 499: Internship/Methods BR II............ 2cr.
- Biology 398: Environmental Studies Seminar............ 3cr.
- Science or Math Elective............ 3cr.
- E/RS Course............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Top Job Titles (among all sustainability majors)
Sustainability Analyst, Agricultural Researcher, Urban Forestry Survey Technician, Education Specialist, Laboratory Technician
Recent Employers
Connected Cities Integrators, Inc., Great Parks of Hamilton County, Davey Resource Group, Cornell AgriTech, U.S. Army, Monroe County Environmental Health Department, Urban Servant Corps, Crossroad Health Center, Indianapolis Zoo, Visionworks of America, Boy Scouts of America.
Intro to Environmental Science (BIOL 260)
In this introductory course, students will examine how natural and human activities alter natural ecosystems resulting in environmental problems at both local and global scales. Students will be introduced to concepts of sustainability and solutions for current and future environmental problems that humanity will encounter.
Cultural Studies and Sustainability (SUST 301)
Drawing on sociology, literary criticism, history and postcolonialism studies, students will examine the relation between sustainability and theories of culture as a site of resistance and negotiation where different groups compete for recognition, representation, and power. Students will consider sustainability as a cultural construction and compare different cultural processes and practices surrounding the notion of sustainability.
Natural Resource Economics (ECON 320)
Economic analysis of managing the environment and allocating natural resources. Historical roots and ethical consequences of existing problems and policies are explored.
Urban Ecologies and Economies (HIST 436)
This course is an historical investigation of the intersections, collisions and synergies between urban ecologies and urban economies. With an eye on the future of the city as a form of settlement and a means of production, the course focuses mainly but not exclusively on American cities, including Cincinnati.
Xavier Student Sustainability Club
Xavier Student Sustainability (XSS) provides students with opportunities to actively promote environmental initiatives on Xavier's campus and in the surrounding communities. Ongoing projects include move-in day recycling, office composting and educational events.
Biology Club
The Biology Club is not exclusive to just biology majors or other related majors, but welcomes anyone and everyone who are interested biology. Past events have included hiking trips, Break Out Games, scavenger hunts and trips to the zoo and aquarium.
Bird Watching Club
Students in this club observe birds surrounding the greater Cincinnati area. Members learn to identify birds by sight and sound, all while experiencing various terrestrial biomes around Xavier.
Minorities in STEM Succeeding Together
Become part of a supportive community dedicated to empowering minority STEM majors. Discover a space where you can thrive, connect with peers and build confidence in your identity while pursuing excellence in STEM.
Program Features
Learn to research, design and implement sustainability projects for local businesses. Past student projects have included developing composting plans, calculating carbon sink capacity of a park and building science learning tools.
Cincinnati and the surrounding Ohio River Valley offer unique opportunities for studying urban ecology, river systems and environmental policy through partnerships with local organizations
Grounded in our Jesuit values, the environmental science curriculum is infused with principles of ecological justice, fostering a commitment to sustainable practices that benefit all.
At Xavier, our dedication to a greener world isn't just talk—it's action. Driven by our Jesuit values, we actively champion sustainability through multiple campus-wide initiatives.
Xavier's Environmental Science with an Environmental Management concentration offers a unique 3+2 program, leading to a BS from Xavier and a Master of Forestry (MF) or Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from Duke University.
Hear firsthand why students love Xavier, life in Cincinnati and their chosen academic majors.
FAQ
Do you have questions about the environmental science program? Our FAQ covers everything from career paths to skills and more.Environmental science is a broad field that incorporates many different academic subjects, including ecology, social sciences, geography and economics. Ecology is a narrower academic field that focuses specifically on the interaction between organisms and their surroundings. Here are a few of the key differences:
Environmental Science:
- Focus on conservation
- Is an interdisciplinary academic field, incorporating many academic subjects (including ecology)
- takes knowledge gained from ecology and applies it to things like waste management, conservation, renewable energies, etc.
Ecology:
- Focus on interactions between living and non-living organisms in an environment
- is a narrow academic field
- is a component of environmental science
- Sustainability consultant
- Sustainability coordinator
- Environmental researcher
- Environmental scientist
- Environment-focused policy maker
- Environmental educator
- Field researcher
- Field guide
- Communications professional
- Sales coordinator
- Activities program coordinator
- Non-profit
- Corporate
- Communications
- Governmental agencies
- Renewable resource technologies
- Sales
- Graduate and doctoral studies
Environmental Science Program at Xavier University
Whether the issue is global climate change, tropical deforestation, or invasive plant species, public concern over environmental issues is on the rise. With this understanding comes the need for informed and educated individuals to play key leadership roles to find solutions to these and many other environmental problems. Xavier University recognizes its responsibility in training the next generation of environmental professionals and is proud to offer an interdisciplinary environmental science major.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."