Career and Academic Paths

The B.S. in Environmental Science provides students with a strong grounding in both basic science and mathematics and in aspects of earth and environmental science that will enable them to address environmental problems from an interdisciplinary perspective. Graduates of the program will be eligible either for immediate employment or graduate study in earth science, environmental science or environmental engineering.

Employment opportunities include public agencies, private-sector companies and non-profit organizations, or K-12 science education with a focus on earth and environment. The jobs available may involve field, laboratory and computer work using skills and knowledge in biogeography and landscape ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, soils, watershed processes, atmospheric science, environmental chemistry, biogeochemical cycling, water quality, estuarine processes, GIS, remote sensing and computer modeling.

The educational objectives of the B.A. in Environmental Studies share many aspects of the objectives defined for the B.S. in Environmental Science, particularly at the introductory level. The B.A. program has a stronger emphasis on environmental policy and on the political, economic and cultural aspects of environmental problems, as well as on conservation strategies, risk analysis, environmental ethics and aesthetics. Opportunities for employment and graduate education focus more heavily on policy and management issues, including planning, natural resource management, urban issues, transportation, environmental health, environmental justice, environmental economics and sustainable development.

Academic Advising

Students who decide to major in environmental science or environmental studies will meet regularly with a faculty advisor to determine what combination of courses, selected from within geography and environmental systems and from other disciplines, are best suited to meeting their goals. Those who plan to attend graduate school are strongly encouraged to gain proficiency in statistical techniques. Students also should consult with faculty advisors to ensure their academic background includes other appropriate prerequisites if they are interested in pursuing graduate degrees. Although the degree programs are administered by the Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, it is possible that a student may wish to have his or her advisor in one of the affiliated disciplines more closely related to the student’s own interests.

Major Programs

Both the B.A. and B.S. degrees include common foundation courses, a set of introductory-level requirements and a series of upper-level areas of concentration. The B.S. degree requires more credits (67) than the B.A. degree (57). However the need for science background mandates that the B.A. in Environmental Studies requires a larger number of credits than most other B.A. programs. Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science.

The B.S. in Environmental Science is for students who are interested in a natural-science approach to environmental issues. Subject matter includes atmospheric science, hydrology and water quality, soils, landforms, ecosystem processes and biodiversity, and human impacts on natural systems.

67 credit hours including:

Nine credits of core courses

Six credits in social science and humanities, from an approved list of courses

Thirty-one credits in basic math and natural science

Three credits in upper-level writing

Earth system science

Watershed processes

Ecosystems, habitat and biodiversity

Environmental chemistry and toxicology

Environmental statistics and risk assessment

Spatial analysis and modeling

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science for Secondary School Education Certification in Earth and Space Science

There is a version of the B.S. designed specifically for students interested in a career teaching earth or environmental science at the secondary school level. The elective course selections are more restricted for these students to meet secondary education certification requirements. Any student interested in the earth and space science teaching certification option for the B.S. in Environmental Science is strongly encouraged to meet with a faculty advisor as early as possible to make sure that both certification and B.S. degree requirements are fulfilled.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Environmental Studies

The B.A. in Environmental Studies is for students who are interested in environmental policy, public decision-making about natural resources and conservation, environmental ethics and environmental aesthetics.

57 credit hours including:

Nine credits of core courses

Six credits in social science and humanities

Eighteen credits in basic math and natural science

Three credits in upper-level writing

Nine credits in upper-level environmental studies distribution courses (from an approved list of courses)

Regulatory policy

Business and the environment

Natural resource management and conservation

Environmental mapping and spatial analysis

Risk analysis and policy

Environmental thought and history

Evening Option

Evening courses are offered occasionally, but generally, no more than three evening courses are offered in a single semester. Required core courses are almost always offered during daytime hours only.

Special Opportunities

Numerous internship opportunities are available for students who wish to pursue a practical work experience with local, state or federal government agencies, private corporations or non-profit organizations. Some, but not all, of these are paid internships.

Advanced students also have the opportunity to work with faculty on a range of research projects funded by agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, NASA and the U.S. Forest Service. Students also may develop their own independent study projects in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Several of our students have won competitive awards to pursue their own independent research projects through the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative.

Some of the opportunities for research and internships at UMBC that are particularly noteworthy are associated with the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (www.ecostudies.org/ bes), the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education (CUERE) and the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET) (www.umbc. edu/jcet). Students interested in these opportunities should consult with a faculty advisor. Other research opportunities for working with faculty will be publicized on the department Web site.

The Baltimore Ecosystem Study

Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education (CUERE)

Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET)