As an environmental science major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll be prepared for a life of environmental service within the global human and ecological community. Whether you’re observing a variety of living organisms first-hand on a field trip or exploring the issues surrounding environmental laws, you’ll encounter themes of sustainability and shalom in your coursework that will provide you a center for analysis, reflection and action. Taught by faculty with expertise ranging from ecology to zoology, the environmental science major will equip you with the scientific training necessary for government, business and non-profit organizations or graduate study in fields related to the environment.
Highlights
- Small class sizes allow for personalized study and one-on-one interaction with faculty
- Proximity to national parks, forests and wildlife refuges enhances studies
- Emphasis on research to take your learning outside of the classroom
- Flexibility within the major to focus studies on areas of interest to you
Career opportunities
Common career paths for environmental scientists include teaching, research and governmental work. This program will also equip you for graduate study, including teacher credential programs and master’s research. Specific opportunities can be found in public affairs, environmental consulting, conservation and preservation and graduate study in any of the related sciences.
Course listing
In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University, students must complete at least 120 units. Along with completing all required courses in their selected area of study, general education requirements must be met by all graduates. See the general education summary in the undergraduate academic catalog for more information.
Select programs may not provide enough units for a student to graduate and therefore an emphasis and/or elective courses must be completed alongside the major. Please see below for emphases related to this area of study.
General Education Prerequisites (14-18 Units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 121 | General Biology: Diversity and Ecology | 4 |
| MATH 210 | Calculus I 4 (for B.S. in environmental science majors | only) |
| PHYS 150 | Earth Science | 3 |
| PS 120 | American Politics and Society | 3 |
Required Courses (19-21 Units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 312 | Ecology | 4 |
| ENV 150 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 4 |
| MATH 205 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| PS 373 | Nature, Law and Policy | 3 |
| THEO 425 | Theological Ethics and the Environment | 3 |
| ENV 482 | Environmental Studies Practicum | 1 - 3 |
| BIOL 485ENV | Senior Seminar | 2 |
B.S. Environmental Science (33-35 Units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 111 | General Biology: Cells and Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL 496 | Biological Research | 1 - 3 or |
| CHEM 496 | Chemistry Research | 1 - 4 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 340 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
Electives to complete 54 units in the major (minimum of 12 units from the Division of Natural Sciences)
Program director
Michael Kunz, Ph.D.
Faculty
