Bachelor of Science in Environmental StudiesSchool of Arts and Sciences

Home / Academics / Programs / Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies

Finding sustainable solutions for the environment.

You have a passion for the environment and a curiosity for solving problems. Learning about and understanding complex environmental issues, as well as developing effective solutions requires creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, you will gain analytical skills through an interdisciplinary approach to environmental problem solving. Environmental Studies combines social, cultural, and scientific knowledge, perspectives, and skills to examine, address, and provide viable solutions within an ethical mindset.

This program provides a strong foundation in natural science and incorporates social sciences and the humanities, creating a well-rounded perspective of the world’s environment. With this comprehensive background students can connect knowledge and action in identifying environmental problems and providing solutions in climate change, environmental justice, population growth, and more.

This program equips students with the knowledge and experience to work towards a more ecologically sustainable and socially just world.

Locations
Madison, WI

Formats
On-campus

Number of Credits
120

Next Start Date
January 21, 2025

Careers within Environmental Studies

$68,300

Average annual salary for a Conservation Officer

Projected employment growth rate, from 2022-2032

Bureau of Labor Statistics

A bachelor’s degree in environmental science prepares you for a variety of career paths. Those marked with an asterisk (*) require graduate level degree.

Conservation Biologist
Conservation Officer
Ecological Restorationist
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Health Officer
Environmental Lawyer*
Environmental Scientist
Sustainability Specialist

Environmental Studies Program by the Numbers

100%

Students complete faculty-mentored capstone projects

Courses include curriculum involving domestic or international travel

50%

Students combine this interdisciplinary program with another academic specialization

Student Spotlight

Sydney Kerstein ’26

BS in Environmental Studies | BS in Environmental Science | Minor in Earth Science

“The Environmental Studies program at Edgewood College is helping me build a network of connections with students and faculty who nurture my passion for caring for the planet. From geology lessons in the Colorado Rockies to ecology lessons on a boat cruising along the Galapagos Islands, this program brought the classroom across the globe and is teaching me so much.”

Brynn Wery ’25

BS in Biology | Minor in Environmental Studies

“My appreciation for the curiosities of the world around us has been an integral part of my college career. The Environmental Studies department at Edgewood College has provided me with immense opportunities to explore and understand the natural functions of crucial biota and ecosystems. Inspired by my research in the Biological Science Seminar programs and my involvement in the environmental club, Woods Edge, my post-undergrad studies will focus heavily on environmental fieldwork.”

Joshua (Josh) Ammons ’25

BS in Environmental Studies | Minors in Photography and Art and Earth Science

“The Environmental Studies program has been an awesome experience for me, as someone who has loved the outdoors since childhood. What I really enjoy about the program is the opportunity to study, conduct research, and get hands-on experience in places I love to visit – or in places I might not have had the chance to explore on my own. I also love the sense of community, meeting like-minded individuals who have built or are building careers focused on the environment. Through Woods Edge student organization and study-abroad trips, I’ve been able to create meaningful experiences.”

Featured Courses

Environmental Studies 110 Environmental Ethics

What ways of thinking help us participate responsibly in the web of life on Earth? This course will help us recognize the interdependence of human society and the natural environment and the ways in which principles of ecological sustainability are essential to building a just and compassionate world. Our course will begin with developing an understanding of the multidisciplinary context of environmental ethics, and then we will explore fundamental worldviews of our relationship with and responsibility to the natural world. We will then look at specific areas of concern and case studies where you will be given the chance to examine an issue from different philosophical perspectives. This course will develop your ability to think philosophically; to understand several philosophical traditions in ethics; and to apply your abilities and understandings to environmental issues.

Environmental Studies 265 Natural Resources and Society

A seminar designed to investigate the ecological, cultural, geographic and economic background of the conservation of natural resources. Some of the specific issues that will be explored are: resource allocation and energy production; water issues; intergenerational externalities and food production; and population pressures. A special section will be devoted to producer and consumer cooperatives and alternative institutional responses to many of these pressing issues.

Environmental Studies 450 Ecology

No species exists in isolation; life on Earth depends on interconnections between organisms and their environment. This course explores this interdependence by considering ecological principles as they pertain to individual organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. Special attention is given to the role of humans in global ecological systems. Many topics are explored through field-based research in local natural communities in the laboratory.

Explore All Courses For This Program

Student Organizations

Wood’s Edge

Wood’s Edge is an organization for students who are interested in the outdoors and caring for the environment. Participate in a variety of recreation and service activities such as:

Hiking, camping, canoeing, and outdoor recreation
Community service and education projects
Invasive species management on campus
Rearing garden seedlings
Tending the campus garden
Selling fresh healthy produce to our community

Woods Edge is a main sponsor of Edgewood’s annual Earth Week celebration, which includes many events revolving around the care and appreciation of our environment.

Environmental Studies Experiences

Environmental Studies majors collaborate with our faculty and community partners to complete mentored capstone projects as an integrated component of their academic program. Hands-on applied opportunities are built into our curriculum to ensure graduates obtain practical experience, preparing them for the demands of the job market. As a valued member of the academic community, you will be empowered to showcase your capstone achievements through participation in various on-campus celebrations of student scholarship, along with regional and national conferences.

You will also have access to collaborations with a wide array of community partners, including UW Arboretum, Dane County Office of Energy & Climate, Badger Volunteers, City of Madison Parks, WI DNR, Madison 350, Dane County Humane Society, The Nature Conservancy, Door County Land Trust, local neighborhood associations, and many more.

Faculty Spotlights

Jacob Griffin

Associate Professor

JacobGriffin@edgewood.edu

Lauren Lacey

Associate Professor

LLacey@edgewood.edu

Nicole Kime

Professor

NKime@edgewood.edu

Tim Kuhman

Professor

TKuhman@edgewood.edu

David Cordie

Associate Professor, Geoscience

dcordie@edgewood.edu

Diana Huepenbecker

Senior Lecturer

DHuepenbecker@edgewood.edu

View All Faculty

Environmental Study in the Heart of Nature – and the City

You’ll be uniquely positioned in the city of Madison, surrounded by expansive natural areas. Within an easy walk or bike ride are the shores of beautiful Lake Wingra, pre-settlement oak savanna trees, abundant woodlands, wetlands, and the 1200-acre University of Wisconsin Arboretum, located across the lake. You’ll also work with faculty and staff deeply committed to environmental education and stewardship, making this the ideal place for students passionate about environmental studies.