Environmental Science

About the program

As the second oldest in the nation, the undergraduate Environmental Science program offers a modern introduction to the environmental sciences and the challenging background enables students to deal with important environmental issues of the 21st century. Rather than a traditional biological approach to the environment, the program emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the field by drawing from biology, chemistry, statistics, earth sciences, economics, law, and the humanities. Environmental problems are approached from a holistic perspective. Ferrum’s Environmental Science program offers students great flexibility in developing their own interests.

Coursework in Environmental Science

The curriculum incorporates a variety of topics to prepare students for opportunities in the field of Environmental Science, and includes courses such as:

Physical Geography
Fundamentals of Ecology
Organic Chemistry
Introduction to Plant Sciences
Conservation Biology
Fisheries & Wildlife Management
Environmental Planning & Assesment
Quantitative Environmental Methods & Statistics
Geology and Hydrology
Aquatic Ecology
General Biology
Forest Ecology and Management
Geographic Information Systems
Pollution Science
Vertebrate Zoology

Related Clubs

There are over 50 clubs and organizations available to students at Ferrum College. These are specifically related to Environmental Science:

Agriculture Club
Environmental Action Coalition
Wildlife Club
Ferrum Nature Society

Experiential & hands-on learning opportunities

Field Trips to the mountains and area lakes take the classroom and textbook studies outside where they can be practically applied.

Study Abroad: Students of the Environmental Science program have a unique opportunity for graduate work at the University of Ulster at Coltraine in Northern Ireland and undergraduate study at Bishop Burton College, Beverly, North Yorkshire, England.

Internships: Students are required to complete internships in career areas and to establish mentors through these internships.

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What can I be with a major in Environmental Science?

A major in Environmental Science leads to traditional career paths, as well as less expected fields. For example:

You could be a(n) ...
Natural Resource Manager
Environmental Educator
Air Quality Controller
Hydrologist
Wildlife Manager
Fish Hatchery Manager
Park Ranger
Soil & Water Conservation Consultant
Conservation Biologist
Forester
Environmental Health Inspector
Game Warden
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Science Faculty

Todd Fredericksen | View Profile
Assistant Professor of Forestry and Wildlife
Program Coordinator of Environmental Science
Ph.D. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(540) 365-4360
tfredericksen@ferrum.edu

George Byrd
Associate Professor of Agriculture
Ph.D., University of Georgia
(540) 365-4378
gbyrd@ferrum.edu

David Johnson
Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science
Ph.D., University of Michigan
(540) 365-4364
djohnson@ferrum.edu

Bob Pohlad
Professor of Biology and Horticulture
Ph.D., University of Georgia
(540) 365-4367
bpohlad@ferrum.edu

Carolyn Thomas
Professor of Biology
Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(540) 365-4368
cthomas@ferrum.edu

William Schmachtenberg | View Profile
Adjunct Professor of Paleontology and Geology
Ph.D., University of Chicago
(540) 365-2121
wschmachtenberg@ferrum.edu

Rathin Basu
Professor of Economics
Ph.D., Virginia Tech
(540) 365-4204
rbasu@ferrum.edu

Glen Stevens
Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science
Ph.D., Virginia Tech
(540) 365-4554
gstevens@ferrum.edu

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Faculty & Staff: Click here to submit your profile.

Find out more

Information is only an email away! Contact Dr. Fredericksen at tfredericksen@ferrum.edu.

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