Environmental Science BS

Build a strong scientific foundation for solving today’s environmental challenges through the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. This interdisciplinary program combines biology, chemistry, earth science, physics and environmental policy to prepare you to study environmental systems and develop solutions that protect ecosystems, natural resources and human health.

Through hands-on coursework, field experiences and faculty-guided research, you’ll learn to analyze environmental data, investigate ecological and geological processes, evaluate environmental risk and apply scientific knowledge to real-world environmental issues. The program prepares you for careers in areas such as environmental science, hydrology, climatology, conservation, geoscience, environmental consulting, agricultural and food science, microbiology and environmental policy, while also providing excellent preparation for graduate and professional study.

One of the defining features of the program is the individualized mentorship you’ll receive from faculty and advisors who are invested in your academic and professional success. As an undergraduate, you’ll have opportunities to participate in meaningful research projects that address global environmental and societal challenges.

Throughout the program, you’ll develop technical skills in environmental sampling, laboratory analysis, geospatial technologies, data interpretation and scientific communication. Whether conducting fieldwork, analyzing environmental systems or collaborating on faculty research, you’ll gain the practical experience needed to address pressing environmental issues and make meaningful contributions to science, sustainability and public health.

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Program Information

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Environmental Science provides students with a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics. Courses emphasize the integration of science, policy, and theory, providing students with a holistic view of the environmental challenges facing society.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

School of Science and Engineering

Academic Department

Environmental Science and Management

Duration

4 year

Required Credit Hours

127

Modality

In-Person

Research Opportunities

You can participate in faculty-led research that reflects the kinds of environmental issues shaping communities around the world.

Research in the Kahler Lab examines how water quality and everyday dietary practices influence fluoride exposure in vulnerable populations. In a study of rural communities near Tanzania’s Arusha Region, faculty and students analyzed fluoride levels in drinking water and tea, finding that tea preparation methods and locally consumed beverages can significantly increase fluoride intake—sometimes beyond recommended safety thresholds. This work demonstrates how environmental chemistry, human behavior, and public health intersect, and how environmental science can directly inform community risk and sustainability.
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You may also engage with interdisciplinary scholarship that connects environmental science with historical and cultural research. In edited volumes such as Richard Freund’s Legacy of Ideas, Research and Teaching about the Holocaust, Dr. Philip Reeder explores how non-invasive geophysical techniques—originally developed for industries like oil and gas—can be used to study and preserve historically significant sites. These methods combine environmental sensing, spatial analysis, and scientific instrumentation with archival and testimonial evidence to uncover and document buried or inaccessible landscapes without disturbing them. This type of work highlights how environmental tools such as geophysics and mapping technologies can be applied far beyond traditional environmental contexts.

I Can Help You Reach Your Bigger Goals!

Contact me, your Enrollment Coordinator, to get started on your academic path.

Lexie Vincenty

Enrollment Coordinator

Science and Engineering

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Research That Makes a Difference

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"My time at Duquesne has been a really great experience. I joined various student organizations and became part of the Duquesne community, And then my research allowed me to become part of a larger community, where I could use my skills to help improve the environment.”

Mikayla Bayto B.S. Environmental Science, '23
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Thrive in the Classroom and Beyond

 
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Get Hands-On Research Experience

As a student in the environmental science program, you'll collaborate with faculty on scientific research, contributing to significant scientific goals and often co-authoring publications in leading journals like the Journal of Environmental Management, the Journal of Cleaner Production and the Environmental Impact Assessment Review.

Discover Research Opportunities
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Find Your Tribe

You can explore your interests through approximately 14 clubs and organizations, which are open to science and engineering majors. These options include joining the Biomedical Engineering Society, the Society of Women Engineers and the Multicultural STEM Group, among others, to connect with like-minded peers and pursue your passions.

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A City Full of Opportunity

Duquesne University is nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh, a city with 90 diverse neighborhoods where everyone can be themselves. Repeatedly ranked among the most livable cities, Pittsburgh offers a vibrant mix of opportunities just a few blocks from campus, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and startups for work — and three major league sports teams for play!

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Find the Environmental Science Path for You

Choose the Environmental Science program that fits your interests and career goals.

Environmental Studies (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies prepares you for a variety of environmental careers by combining coursework in natural and social sciences with hands-on fieldwork, research, and internship opportunities that build practical skills and professional connections.

Apply to Environmental Studies

Dual Degree (B.S./M.S.)

The dual degree program gives you the interdisciplinary knowledge and hands-on experience to tackle environmental challenges, develop sustainable solutions and prepare for a successful career in environmental science and management.

See Program Details

Graduate Program (ESM)

The Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management equips students with science, policy and management skills to tackle environmental challenges, offering concentrations in Traditional ESM, Conservation Biology or Research.

Start Your Environmental Career

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Each summer, you can take part in Duquesne's 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Program (URP), where you'll conduct hands-on research on funded projects supported by government agencies, non-profit organizations and corporate foundations. These projects often extend beyond campus to include partnerships with experts from major research institutions and industry.

See What URP Offers

Curriculum

To assist students in achieving their academic goals within the B.S. in Environmental Science program, we recommend the following course sequence. Please note that undergraduate research is highly encouraged.

Fall Semester (15 credits)

  • BRDG 100: Research & Information Skills — 1 credit

  • BRDG 101: Writing and Analysis — 3 credits

  • ENVI 251: Principles of Environmental Science — 3 credits

  • MATH 115: Calculus I — 4 credits

  • BIOL 111: Biology I — 3 credits

  • BIOL 111L: Biology I Lab — 1 credi

Spring Semester (14 credits)

  • BRDG 102: Writing and Literature — 3 credits

  • BRDG 105: Intro to Ethical Reasoning — 3 credits

  • MATH 225: Statistics I — 3 credits

  • CHEM 121: General Chemistry I — 3 credits

  • CHEM 121L: General Chemistry I Lab — 1 credit

  • SPRG 105: Seminar: Career Development — 1 credit

Fall Semester (14 credits)

  • BRCT: Critical Thinking — 3 credits

  • BRCC: Communication & Creative Expression — 3 credits

  • CHEM 122: General Chemistry II — 3 credits

  • CHEM 122L: General Chemistry II Lab — 1 credit

  • BIOL 112: Biology II — 3 credits

  • BIOL 112L: Biology II Lab — 1 credit

Spring Semester (14 credits)

  • BRQS: Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning — 3 credits

  • BRCF: Cultural Fluency & Responsiveness — 3 credits

  • CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I — 3 credits

  • CHEM 211L: Organic Chemistry I Lab — 1 credit

  • PHYS 201: Physics I — 3 credits

  • PHYS 201L: Physics I Lab — 1 credit

Fall Semester (14 credits)

  • BRET: Ethical Reasoning — 3 credits

  • BRSH: Social & Historical Reasoning — 3 credits

  • CHEM 212: Organic Chemistry II — 3 credits

  • CHEM 212L: Organic Chemistry II Lab — 1 credit

  • PHYS 202: Physics II — 3 credits

  • PHYS 202L: Physics II Lab — 1 credit

Spring Semester (15 credits)

  • THEO/PHIL Course — 3 credits

  • ENGL 302W: Scientific Writing — 3 credits

  • ENVI 452: Environmental Chemistry — 3 credits

  • ENVI 470: Environmental Toxicology — 3 credits

  • BIOL 212: Cell & Molecular Biology — 3 credits

Fall Semester (13 credits)

  • ENVI 472: Environmental Biology — 3 credits

  • BIOL 250: General Microbiology — 3 credits

  • MATH/CS Elective — 3 credits

  • General Elective — 3 credits

  • Experiential Learning — 1–3 credits

Spring Semester (12 credits)

  • ENVI Capstone — 0–3 credits

  • MATH/CS Elective — 3 credits

  • General Elective — 3 credits

  • Experiential Learning — 1–3 credits


Learning Outcomes

By graduation, you'll have the ability to:
  • Obtain knowledge of environmental topics including climate science, pollution (air, water, land), and biodiversity.
  • Gain technical abilities, communication and leadership skills for successful careers as an environmental professional, or advanced studies in law, business, or public health.
  • Gain technical abilities, communication and leadership skills for successful careers as an environmental professional, or advanced studies in law, business, or public health.
  • Obtain knowledge of environmental topics including climate science, pollution (air, water, land), and biodiversity.

Accreditation

MSCHE is Duquesne University’s institutional accreditor, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for ensuring the highest standards of academic quality and integrity. This accreditation assures students that their learning experience meets nationally recognized standards of excellence, supports continuous improvement, and strengthens the value of their Duquesne degree both nationally and globally.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

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