Environmental Science BS

Major: Environmental Science
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 183.5
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code:
03.0104
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-2041

About the Program

The Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES) is committed to support budding scientists who want to make a significant impact with their research and discoveries. The BEES motto is “Field Experience, Early and Often.” This immersive approach, combined with the expert guidance of our faculty, supports the understanding of ecology, evolution, climatology, biodiversity, and bioremediation, among many other areas of study. All are vital to the understanding, conservation, and restoration of healthy ecosystems. 

Drexel University’s unique partnership with the Academy of Natural Sciences, America’s oldest natural history museum, provides students with access to expansive plant, animal, and insect collections curated by nationally and internationally renowned faculty who thrive on working with students both in courses and on co-ops. Working side by side with faculty permits students to engage in research on everything from microbes to dinosaurs and volcanoes to wetlands. Urban ecology, paleontology, geology, and many other avenues for exploration take students across Philadelphia and the globe. Field courses offer students the opportunity to engage in research from the New Jersey coast and the Poconos to Hawai’i, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Equatorial Guinea, and Mongolia. 

The program has an integrated curricular approach designed around student laboratory and field investigations. The goal of this program is to give students not only knowledge about environmental science but also the ability to use the tools and skills of a scientist. Students are given extensive laboratory and field experience. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of study abroad options, including ENVS field courses. These programs often require early planning, so it is advisable for interested students to speak to their advisor about opportunities in their first year.

Concentrations are available in:

  • Ecology & Evolution
  • Applied Environmental Science

Additional Information

For more information about the program, visit the Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science's webpage.

Laurie G. Zinberg, M.A.
Senior Academic Advisor
College of Arts and Science

Email: lgz23@drexel.edu

Or email bees@drexel.edu.

Degree Requirements

The program is designed to prepare students for careers in environmental science, environmental assessment, marine science, basic and applied ecology, biodiversity, evolutionary biology, and conservation and paleontology. The requirements for specific concentrations in Applied Environmental Science and Ecology and Evolution, are listed in the degree requirements.

Degree Requirements
Humanities and Social Science
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
COM 310 [WI] Technical Communication3.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
PHIL 340Environmental Ethics3.0
or PHIL 341 Environmental Philosophy
Humanities/Social Science electives6.0
UNIV S101The Drexel Experience1.0
UNIV S201Looking Forward: Academics and Careers1.0
Mathematics, Statistics & Computing12.0
Select one of the following sequences:
Calculus sequence
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
Analysis sequence
Introduction to Analysis I
Introduction to Analysis II
Mathematics for the Life Sciences
Additional required math & computing courses:
CS 150Computer Science Principles3.0
or CS 171 Computer Programming I
MATH 410Scientific Data Analysis I3.0
MATH 411Scientific Data Analysis II3.0
Physical Sciences
CHEM 101General Chemistry I3.5
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.5
CHEM 103General Chemistry III4.5
Choose two chemistry electives from:5.0-7.0
Organic Chemistry I
Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
Physics sequence
PHYS 152Introductory Physics I4.0
PHYS 153Introductory Physics II4.0
PHYS 154Introductory Physics III4.0
Biological Sciences
BIO 131Cells and Biomolecules4.0
BIO 132Genetics and Evolution4.0
BIO 133Physiology and Ecology4.0
BIO 134Cells and Biomolecules Lab1.0
BIO 135Genetics and Evolution Lab1.0
BIO 136Anatomy and Ecology Lab1.0
Geoscience Requirements
GEO 101Physical Geology4.0
GEO 201 [WI] Earth Systems Processes3.0
Environmental Science Core Requirements
ENVS 101Introduction to Environmental Science5.0
ENVS 102Natural History, Research and Collections2.0
ENVS 201Practical Identification of Plants and Animals2.0
ENVS 212Evolution4.0
ENVS 284Physiological and Population Ecology3.0
ENVS 286Community and Ecosystem Ecology3.0
ENVS 308GIS and Environmental Modeling3.0
ENVS 441 [WI] Issues in Global Change I: Seminar2.0
ENVS 442Issues in Global Change II: Research2.0
ENVS 443Issues in Global Change III: Synthesis2.0
Choose one of the following:3.0-4.0
Introduction to Environmental Policy
Delaware River Issues and Policy
Environmental Politics
Environmental Science Lab Requirements2.0
Microbiology Laboratory
Vertebrate Biology and Evolution Laboratory
Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab
Tropical Field Studies
Molecular Ecology Laboratory
Field Ornithology Lab
Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Restoration Ecology
Marine Field Methods
Entomology Laboratory
Environmental Concentration Requirements14.0-15.0
See list of concentration requirements below.
Environmental Electives **12.0
Microbiology
Form, Function & Evolution of Vertebrates
Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology
Population Genetics
Dinosaurs and Their World
Introduction to Oceanography
Mineralogy
Advanced Field Methods in Earth Science
Environmental Geology
Geochemistry
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Invertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoecology
Vertebrate Paleontology
Structural Geology
Geomorphology
Coastal Geology
Oceanography
Volcanology
Field Camp
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Geology of Groundwater
Geophysics
Plate Tectonics
Sociology of the Environment
Introduction to Environmental Policy
Introduction to Urban Planning
Environmental Movements in America
Environmental Justice
Delaware River Issues and Policy
Native Plants and Sustainability
Global Climate Change
Global Warming, Biodiversity and Your Future
Energy and the Environment: Iceland
Systematic Biology
Plant Animal Interactions
Tropical Ecology
Molecular Ecology
Conservation Biology
Aquatic Ecology
Wetland Ecology
Aquatic Insects and Water Quality
Ornithology
Ichthyology
Biogeography
Urban Ecology
Animal Behavior
Environmental Assessment
Environmental and Ecological Remediation
Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Systems Ecology
Restoration Ecology
Marine Field Methods
Marine Ecology
Freshwater and Marine Algae
Entomology
Chemistry of the Environment
Atmospheric Chemistry
Physiological Ecology
Advanced Environmental GIS
Coastal Biogeochemistry
Biodiversity
Advanced Topics in Evolution
Free Electives24.0
Total Credits183.5-187.5
*

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1.0 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Up to two GEO or ENSS courses may count as ENVS electives.

Environmental Science Concentrations

Ecology & Evolution Concentration14.0-15.0
Choose 5 from below:
Tree of Life
Systematic Biology
Conservation Biology
Advanced Topics in Evolution
Genetics I
Population Genetics
Total Credits14.0-15.0
Applied Environmental Science Concentration14.0-15.0
Required Courses
The Watershed Approach
Global Climate Change
Environmental Assessment
Choose 2 from below:
Environmental and Ecological Remediation
Chemistry of the Environment
Environmental Geology
Total Credits14.0-15.0


Notes about Environmental Science opportunities:

  • Field experience electives include quantitative environmental measurements in local aquatic and terrestrial habitats, such as streams, lakes, the Delaware Bay, the Poconos, and the New Jersey Pine Barrens (for example, Field Botany: NJ Pine Barrens; Ecology of the Pine Barrens; Marine Field Methods).
  • Students are required to consult frequently with their academic advisors for curriculum planning. Many of the graduate courses in environmental science are also open to qualified seniors who wish to become familiar with some of the applications in the field. Prerequisites and descriptions of available graduate courses appear in the graduate catalog.
  • The Equatorial Guinea: Bioko Island Study Abroad Program offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates and recent graduates to study tropical biodiversity and its conservation, with an emphasis on field work that takes advantage of Bioko Island's pristine rainforests ranging from sea level to over 10,000 feet in altitude, its seven species of rare monkeys, and its four species of nesting sea turtles. For more information, please visit the Drexel Study Abroad Office.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study 

The plan of study below is a generic plan, suited for all four concentrations. Contact the program advisor for additional details.

4 Year, No co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 1013.5BIO 1324.0BIO 1334.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0BIO 1351.0BIO 1361.0 
ENVS 1015.0CHEM 1024.5CHEM 1034.5 
MATH 101 or 1214.0CIVC 1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV S1011.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0MATH 239 or 1234.0 
 MATH 102 or 1224.0  
 16.5 17.5 16.5 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0ENVS 2863.0ENVS 2124.0VACATION
BIO 1341.0ENVS 3083.0GEO 1014.0 
CS 150 or 1713.0GEO 2013.0PHYS 1524.0 
ENVS 1022.0Concentration Course3.0Concentration Course2.0-3.0 
ENVS 2012.0Free Elective4.0  
ENVS 2843.0   
 15 16 14-15 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 4103.0ENSS 283, 348, or PSCI 2843.0-4.0COM 2303.0VACATION
CHEM Elective3.0-4.0MATH 4113.0PHYS 1544.0 
Concentration Course3.0PHYS 1534.0Concentration Course3.0 
ENVS Elective3.0UNIV S2011.0Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0CHEM Elective2.0-3.0Free Elective3.0 
 15-16 13-15 16 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
COM 3103.0ENVS 4422.0ENVS 4432.0 
ENVS 4412.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Elective3.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Electives6.0 
PHIL 340 or 3413.0Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Lab Elective2.0 
Concentration Course3.0Free Electives6.0Free Electives6.0 
Free Elective3.0   
 14 14 16 
Total Credits 183.5-187.5

4 Year, 1 co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 1013.5BIO 1324.0BIO 1334.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0BIO 1351.0BIO 1361.0 
ENVS 1015.0CHEM 1024.5CHEM 1034.5 
MATH 101 or 1214.0CIVC 1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV S1011.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0MATH 239 or 1234.0 
 MATH 102 or 1224.0  
 16.5 17.5 16.5 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0ENVS 2863.0ENVS 2124.0COM 2303.0
BIO 1341.0ENVS 3083.0GEO 1014.0COOP 101*1.0
CS 150 or 1713.0GEO 2013.0PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0
ENVS 1022.0UNIV S2011.0Concentration Course2.0-3.0ENVS Elective3.0
ENVS 2012.0Concentration Course3.0 Free Elective3.0
ENVS 2843.0Free Elective3.0  
 15 16 14-15 14
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 4103.0ENSS 283, 348, or PSCI 2843.0-4.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
PHYS 1544.0MATH 4113.0  
Concentration Course3.0Concentration Course3.0  
CHEM Elective3.0-4.0CHEM Elective2.0-3.0  
Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 16-17 14-16 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
COM 3103.0ENVS 4422.0ENVS 4432.0 
ENVS 4412.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Elective3.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Electives6.0 
PHIL 340 or 3413.0Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Lab Elective2.0 
Concentration Course3.0Free Electives6.0Free Electives6.0 
Free Elective3.0   
 14 14 16 
Total Credits 183.5-187.5
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will take an extra Free Elective credit in place of COOP 101

5 Year, 3 Co-ops

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 1013.5BIO 1324.0BIO 1334.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0BIO 1351.0BIO 1361.0 
ENVS 1015.0CHEM 1024.5CHEM 1034.5 
MATH 101 or 1214.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 101*1.0 
UNIV S1011.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
 MATH 102 or 1224.0MATH 239 or 1234.0 
 16.5 17.5 17.5 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0ENVS 2863.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
BIO 1341.0ENVS 3083.0  
CS 150 or 1713.0GEO 2013.0  
ENVS 1022.0Concentration Course3.0  
ENVS 2012.0Free Elective3.0  
ENVS 2843.0   
 15 15 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENVS 2124.0COM 2303.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
GEO 1014.0PHYS 1534.0  
PHYS 1524.0UNIV S2011.0  
Concentration Course2.0-3.0ENVS Elective3.0  
 Free Elective3.0  
 14-15 14 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 4103.0ENSS 283, 348, or PSCI 2843.0-4.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
PHYS 1544.0MATH 4113.0  
Concentration Course3.0Concentration Course3.0  
CHEM Elective3.0-4.0CHEM Elective2.0-3.0  
Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 16-17 14-16 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
COM 3103.0ENVS 4422.0ENVS 4432.0 
ENVS 4412.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Elective3.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Electives6.0 
PHIL 340 or 3413.0Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0Environmental Science (ENVS) Lab Elective2.0 
Concentration Course3.0Free Electives6.0Free Electives6.0 
Free Elective3.0   
 14 14 16 
Total Credits 183.5-187.5
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will take an extra Free Elective credit in place of COOP 101

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Environmental scientists pursue careers in environmental assessment, environmental health, ecology, conservation, marine science, and atmospheric science.

Through Drexel’s renowned cooperative education program, students embark on up to three, six-month periods of full-time employment, exploring their career options, strengthening their resumes and building a professional network in the process. BEES students have experienced co-op positions at the Philadelphia Zoo, GEI Consultants, Inc, State of NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Food & Water Watch, and more.

Co-op and research opportunities will be available with the scientists at the Academy of Natural Sciences. In addition, recent co-op experiences have included:

CHPlanning, Center City Philadelphia
Lakes Environmental Assn., Maine
US Environmental Protection Agency, Center City Philadelphia
Criterion Lab Inc, Philadelphia, PA Suburbs
Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia
Temple University, Philadelphia
Fairway Testing Co., NYC
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska
Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Equatorial Guinea
React Environmental Professional Services Group Inc., Philadelphia
Air Management Services, Philadelphia
Exelon Corporation, Philadelphia
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia
GEI Consultants, Inc., Mt. Laurel, NJ
State of NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Food & Water Watch, Washington, D.C.
 

Graduate Opportunities

Graduates in this major typically work for government environmental agencies, in environmental consulting firms, and in environmental departments of various industries. Additional training at the graduate level is an option for many students.

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Program Level Outcomes

  • Attain a functional knowledge of general biodiversity, earth, and environmental sciences.
  • Understand and be able to perform laboratory and field techniques relevant to modern biodiversity, earth, and environmental sciences. 
  • Critically read and analyze their own work and the biodiversity, earth, and environmental science literature with respect to global impact and experimental design.
  • Communicate science effectively.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct science in an ethical manner.
  • Be prepared effectively for a career and/or future schooling in environmental science or related fields.

Environmental Science Faculty

Jon Gelhaus, PhD (University of Kansas) Curator, Department of Entomology: Academy of Natural Sciences. Professor. Systematic expertise in crane flies (Tipuloidea); phylogenetic reconstruction; historical and ecological biogeography; biodiversity measures and evolution of morphological character systems.
Danielle Kreeger, PhD (Oregon State University). Research Associate Professor. Trophic interactions in aquatic ecosystems.
Tatyana Livshultz, PhD (Cornell University) Assistant Curator of Botany. Assistant Professor. Expertise of the milkweed and dogbane family (Apocynaceae); evolution and species diversity of the genus Dischidia; differences in floral form and function.
Richard McCourt, PhD (University of Arizona) Curator of Botany, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University; 2010-2012: Program Director, Division of Graduate Education, National Science Foundation. Professor. Evolution, ecology, systematics of green algae..
Michael O'Connor, MD, PhD (MD, Johns Hopkins University; PhD, Colorado State). Professor. Biophysical and physiological ecology, thermoregulation of vertebrates, ecological modeling.
Sean O'Donnell, PhD (University of Wisconsin-Madison). Professor. Climate ecology, focusing on geographic variation and species differences in thermal physiology; Behavior and ecology of army ant/bird interactions; Neurobiology, focusing on brain plasticity and brain evolution in social insects.
Marina Potapova, PhD (Russian Academy of Sciences) Associate Curator of Diatoms: Academy of Natural Sciences. . Assistant Professor. Taxonomy, ecology, and biogeography of freshwater and coastal diatoms.
Gary Rosenberg, PhD (Harvard University) Pilsbry Chair of Malacology. Professor. Magnitude and origin of species-level diversity in the Mollusca. Biodiversity informatics
Jacob Russell, PhD (University of Arizona). Professor. Microbiomes and metagenomics; ecology and evolution of symbiosis.
Jocelyn A. Sessa, PhD (Penn State University) Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology: Academy of Natural Sciences. Assistant Professor. Paleoecology; paleobiology; extinction recovery dynamics; climate change; isotope geochemistry; fossil and modern mollusks
David J. Velinsky, PhD (Old Dominion University) Department Head, Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science. Professor. Geochemical cycling of organic and inorganic constituents of sediments and waters; Sedimentary diagenesis of major and minor elements; Isotope biogeochemistry of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in marine and freshwater systems.
Dane Ward, PhD (Drexel University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Urban agriculture and sustainability both in Philadelphia and Cienfuegos, Cuba, as well as insect community structure and population ecology of reptiles and amphibians in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Jason Weckstein, PhD (Louisiana State University) Associate Curator of Ornithology. Associate Professor. Avian phylogenetics, comparative biology and evolutionary history; biodiversity surveys of birds and their parasites and pathogens; coevolutionary history of birds and their parasites.

Emeritus Faculty

John G. Lundberg, PhD (University of Michigan). Professor Emeritus. Diversity and diversification of fishes; documenting and interpreting the morphological, molecular, and taxonomic diversity of living and fossil fishes in the interrelated fields of systematic, faunistics and biogeography and paleobiology; exploration and collecting in poorly-known tropical freshwater habitats and regions.
Daniel Otte, PhD (University of Michigan) Senior Curator, Systematics and Evolutionary Biology. Professor Emeritus. Taxonomy and biogeography of Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and their relatives).
James R. Spotila, PhD (University of Arkansas) L. D. Betz Chair Professor. Professor Emeritus. Physiological and biophysical ecology, thermoregulation of aquatic vertebrates, biology of sea turtles.