Why study environmental studies at BGSU in Ohio?
- Engaging, experienced faculty. Our environmental studies professors are intensely dedicated to this work. Many are actively involved in groundbreaking environmental research, community engagement and advocacy efforts.
- Interdisciplinary curriculum. Environmental studies is a broad field that merges social sciences, humanities and environmental science to address sustainability, policy and conservation issues. As you advance in the program, you have some flexibility to tailor your studies to align with your career goals.
- State-of-the-art facilities. BGSU has made major investments in cutting-edge research laboratories and equipment for the School of Earth, Environment and Society. We’re among the best-equipped environmental studies programs in the U.S.
- Hands-on learning and fieldwork opportunities. At BGSU, learning is never limited to the classroom. We partner with local parks, businesses and conservation groups. Join in fieldwork and research involving local ecosystems, urban planning projects, environmental policy and ecological conservation and restoration.
- Global thinking. Explore the robust study abroad, internship, service learning, research and teaching opportunities available through BGSU. Work with environmental organizations, government agencies and sustainable businesses from the Great Lakes to Alaska and beyond.
- Sustainability initiatives. The best colleges for environmental studies don’t just teach sustainability. They practice it. The BGSU Office of Campus Sustainability’s strategic plan includes many efforts to reduce, reuse, conserve and recycle – and ultimately aims for carbon neutrality by 2040.
- Career-focused curriculum. Our graduates get hired! Our program is designed to meet evolving job market demands. We also have:
- An active alumni network
- Strong connections with industry and environmental leaders
- Career counseling/job placement assistance
Our internship program has a long and successful history. Many of our students are hired for full-time positions by their internship employers.
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Career - what can you do with an environmental studies degree?
Environmental challenges are more pressing today than ever. Organizations across industries need forward-thinking professionals who can bridge the gaps between science, policy and people.
A B.A. in environmental studies is uniquely interdisciplinary. You’ll have the flexibility to pursue a career in government, nonprofits, business, law, education and more.
Demand for environmental specialists and scientists is projected to grow over the next decade. Employers want environmental professionals who can understand the science, consider multiple perspectives, develop creative solutions and advocate their positions persuasively.
Potential career avenues include:
- Environmental policy. Work as a policy analyst developing frameworks to address matters pertaining to climate change, energy conservation and public health. Opportunities exist in government, nonprofits and legislative advocacy groups.
- Environmental justice. Fight for communities affected by pollution, land abuse and resource exploitation. Work with advocacy groups or as a consultant for environmental attorneys working to ensure equitable environmental protections.
- Environmental education. Pursue formal or informal teaching opportunities, in the field or in the classroom. Help transform schoolyards into living and learning laboratories.
- Urban planning. Help design sustainable, eco-friendly communities and transportation systems that prioritize responsible land use and environmental conservation.
- Sustainability coordination. Get hired by corporations, universities or cities looking to go greener with smaller carbon footprints and smarter natural resource management.
- Conservation management. Work with land trusts, national parks or environmental nonprofits to actively protect vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems.
- Corporate responsibility. Guide businesses toward more sustainable practices and ethical environmental standards.
Career paths
- Climate change analyst
- Environmental educator
- Environmental law and policy advisor
- Environmental policy analyst
- Nonprofit and NGO leadership
- Sustainability coordinator
- Urban and regional planner
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
A strong emphasis on the role of social sciences in understanding and solving environmental problems is a cornerstone of the environmental studies degree curriculum. The idea is that we must grasp the full context in which these issues exist if we have any hope of enacting lasting solutions.
Environmental studies majors learn to approach and resolve environmental challenges holistically. You receive a solid foundation of natural science and a basic understanding of relevant social sciences and humanities (such as political science, history, philosophy, economics, communications, geography and law).
Coursework includes:
- Environmental ethics and justice
- Sustainability and resource management
- Environmental policy
- Urban planning
Students opting for the environmental studies B.A. with a specialization in environmental resilience and climate change take additional courses in the natural and social sciences. Classes provide multiple perspectives to examine and develop solutions to complex environmental problems related to climate change.
Every student in the 122-hour environmental studies degree program is required to complete:
- A minor
- At least one internship or research project
Graduates of the program are able to:
- Apply critical thinking, problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary thinking to address environmental problems.
- Examine interdisciplinary policies, practices and methods and their impacts on environmental and social systems.
- Propose solutions to complex environmental issues considering multiple viewpoints.
- Develop effective oral and written communication skills to articulate issues in environmental studies.
- Propose and successfully complete a practical, experience-based internship or independent research project.
Sample courses
- Climate Change: Natural and Human Dimensions
- Energy and Sustainability
- Environmental Economics
- Environmental Justice
- Global Sustainable Development
- Geographic Information Systems
- Great Lakes Ecosystems
Facilities, laboratories and equipment
The BGSU School of Earth, Environment and Society is an academic leader in environmental studies. Success in the field of environmental studies starts with ensuring access to cutting-edge tools and facilities for hands-on research and learning.
As an interdisciplinary program, our facilities are spread across five on-campus locations (Overman Hall, Memorial Hall, Hayes Hall, Moseley Hall and Math Science). High-tech equipment is available for geophysical analysis, field hydrology, surveying and more.
Specialized laboratories include:
- GeoInformatics Laboratory (GIL)
- G-ECO Remote Sensing Lab
- Paleontology laboratory
- Aqueous and Terrestrial Geochemistry Laboratory
- High temperature and pressure mineral synthesis laboratory
- Sedimentary processes laboratory
- Sediment core lab
- Rock preparation facilities
This minor (21-23 credits) holistically explores environmental challenges and emphasizes the crucial role of social sciences and humanities. The curriculum includes both required and elected courses across diverse fields, such as political science, history, economics, communication, law, geography, biology, sociology and environmental science.
Students can choose from a wide range of courses, including:
- Environmental Economics
- Environmental Planning
- Environmental Communication
- Environmental Politics and Policy
- Global Sustainable Development
- American Environmental History
- Environmental Law
The environmental science minor (21-25 credits) is especially popular among biology students but is open to students from a wide range of majors. Students gain a strong foundation in environmental science, ecosystems and conservation through a diverse selection of natural science courses:
- Conservation Biology in Practice
- Wildlife Biology
- Water Quality in the Environment
- Energy Science
- Great Lakes Ecosystems
This minor (21-22 credits) is designed for students passionate about balancing human society’s needs with environmental conservation and sustainability. Explore critical sustainability challenges from multiple disciplines — including biology, economics, environmental studies, history, philosophy and political science.
You’ll develop well-rounded perspectives and problem-solving strategies through courses like:
- Environmental Ethics
- Weather and Climate
- Environmental Justice
- Urban Economics
- Environmental Politics and Policies
- International Health
The water studies minor (23-24 credits) is a comprehensive program bridging multiple academic disciplines. Students explore water systems from hydrological cycles and global freshwater resources to complex management strategies and policy frameworks.
Gain a multifaceted understanding of water-related challenges and solutions by engaging with diverse topics in courses such as:
- Earth Environments
- Water Resources and Issues
- Introduction to Hydrology
- Water Quality in the Environment
- Great Lakes Ecosystems
- Groundwater Hydrology
- Environmental Planning
The geology minor (17-20 credits) explores geological sciences through courses that cover a range of topics, including:
- Earth's structural dynamics
- Economic implications of geological resources
- Geophysical principles
- Groundwater systems
- Paleoclimatic research
- Soil science
The program distinguishes itself through a robust service-learning component. Students have meaningful opportunities to engage directly with local environmental organizations and park services. They apply their scientific knowledge to real-world sustainability initiatives and gain practical experience that bridges academic study with community impact.
The applied geospatial science minor is a versatile, 21-credit program catering to students across academic disciplines looking to enhance career prospects with knowledge of cutting-edge geospatial technologies.
Gain comprehensive training on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), and other innovative tools. Courses teach critical skills in collecting, storing, organizing, managing and analyzing geospatial data:
- Geographic Information Systems
- Remote Sensing
- Advanced Cartographic Techniques
- Business Analytics
- Programming Fundamentals
- Database Management Systems
Dive into the fascinating world of prehistoric life with our 21-credit paleontology minor. This comprehensive program offers an in-depth exploration of life's extraordinary journey through Earth's history and provides a unique lens for understanding our planet's past.
Coursework brings ancient worlds to life and includes:
- The Human Fossil Record
- Earth Environments
- Vertebrate Paleontology
- Paleoclimate
- Geologic History of Dinosaurs
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The environmental studies program is part of the School of Earth, Environment and Society in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 07/01/2025 08:55AM