Environmental Science Major

Explore the connections across the diverse scientific fields to better understand some of the most important environmental issues facing scientists and society today. Strengthen your scientific skills with hands-on research projects, internships, and travel-learning courses.

About the Major

Environmental Science at Ohio Wesleyan takes an interdisciplinary, natural science approach to the environment within the context of the liberal arts. Diverse courses provide you with an integrative, scientific understanding of the environment with an emphasis on approaches to addressing current environmental challenges.

Once you've taken your core classes, you can explore the environment through upper-level natural science courses in a wide range of disciplines. Every major will complete a capstone project. You will be prepared for graduate studies in science or to find a job right after graduation.

OWU also offers a minor in Environmental Science and a minor in Environmental Studies.

Popular Second Majors

Many Environmental Science students also pursue a second major in a scientific field of interest to further expand their career options and graduate school credentials. Zoology is one of the most frequent second majors, while other students have completed second majors in Geography, Botany, Biology, and other areas.

Popular Minors for Environmental Science Majors

Think Big

Undergraduate research, performed under the mentorship of expert faculty, is a central component of The OWU Connection.

We emphasize intellectual curiosity, creativity, initiative, and synthesis, and all Environmental Science majors are encouraged to participate in mentored research projects or internships.

Research & Independent Study Summer Science Research

Alaskan Expedition

Bishops explore climate change & plant ecology during a Travel-Learning Course in Alaska.

Bumblebee Behavior

Alex Bzdafka '27 (right) studied bumblebee foraging habits during an NSF REU internship.

Mapping Solutions

Logan McFarland '27 worked with Prof. Nathan Rowley on drone-based hydrologic mapping.

Meeting the Future

Aryaka Tickoo '26 (left) and Inesh Tickoo '26 attended the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit.

Energy Trade-Offs in Wrens

Callie Angelo '20 studied immune responses of nesting House Wrens with limited energy.

A Summer of Songbirds

Joe Brush '20 studied aggression in two different male songbird species.

Mapping The Plant Xylopia

Katie Vonderembse '19 mapped Xylopia's distribution to aid conservation efforts.

Go Global

Travel-Learning Courses combine classroom study with travel to areas of the world where you may study the issues discussed in class in the settings where those events are occurring. Recent Travel-Learning Courses have explored environmental topics in Brazil, Costa Rica, and the Galapagos Islands.

Theory-to-Practice Grants give students the opportunity to research environmental topics in the field anywhere in the world.

Travel-Learning Courses The OWU Connection

Highlands Rewilding

OWU students helped restore the Scottish Highlands ecosystem through a service trip.

Soil Congress in Japan

Ellie Dodds '25 attended the International Soil Classification Congress in Japan.

Exploring Kenya

Amelia Thrasher '25 spent a semester in Kenya, studying wildlife conservation and climate.

European Semester

Annabel Benes '24 studied in Denmark and England through the Open Campus Block Program.

Spanish & Sustainability

Abbie Kline '24 studied Spanish and environmental science in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Transformative Trek

Peyton Hardesty '20 trekked the 177-mile Offa's Dyke Path in Wales and England.

Environmental Alterations

Ashley McCracken '19 studied sustainability in Costa Rica on a Travel-Learning Course.

Preserving a Paradise

Members of the OWU community used geography in Costa Rica to preserve ecosystems.

Get Real

Build your experience and connections to the professional world with internships and research projects at environmental organizations and other universities.

Environmental Science students also can apply for University-funded OWU Connection Grants for research projects around the world.

Theory-to-Practice Grants Internships

Protecting Sea Turtles

Hannah Cox '24 interned with GVI Greece to protect sea turtles, funded by an OWU grant.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice

Peyton Hardesty '20 apprenticed with Stratford Ecological Center to study beekeeping.

A Salty Summer Situation

Rebecca Poter '20 studied the impact of de-icing salts on water with many microorganisms.

Studying Endangered Frogs

Eva Blockstein '19 volunteered at the Panama Amphibian Rescue Center.

Ticks in Tanzania

Serena George '19 researched ectoparasites on ticks in Tanzania to assess disease risks.

Inspired Teaching

OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers—and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.

They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.

I³ lectures

Highlights

Nature Preserves

The Kraus preserve is 80 acres and the Bohannan preserve is 54 acres. Students and faculty use them as outdoor labs and for research.

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Greenhouse

OWU's greenhouse has tropical and desert rooms available for students. The greenhouse is used for teaching classes, and you can use it for independent research.

Summer Research

You can apply to participate in the Summer Scholarship and Research Program (SSRP) where you research with fellow students and faculty for 10 weeks. You then present your research at the Patricia Belt Conrades Summer Scholarship and Research Symposium in the fall.

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A Learning Community

In a unique "conversations" class, graduating seniors serve as mentors to all new Environmental Science majors. They help guide new students to shape their plans for future work in their major.

Graduate Outcomes

Abigail Kline '24

While at OWU, Abbie participated in international service and conservation work in Chile's Patagonia National Park, combining environmental research with hands‑on service learning, and she also presented remote‑sensing environmental research at the OWU Spring Student Symposium. She now works full‑time as a GIS Analyst at Williams in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Environment & Sustainability Alumni

Environmental Careers

In the past few years, OWU graduating seniors have moved on to environment-related jobs at American Environmental Group, Audubon Zoo, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Coyote Trails School of Nature, and Resource One.

Graduate Studies

Environmental Science graduates often continue their studies in graduate school. Recent OWU science graduates have studied at Arizona State, Boston University, Dartmouth, Duke, Ohio State, Penn State, University of California Davis, Yale, and more.

Sustainability in Business

After graduation, Sarah Jilbert '14 earned an MBA from Duquesne University focused on Environmental Sustainability. She now works as a Sustainability Analyst for DHL Supply Chain in Westerville, Ohio.

Careers in Wildlife Writing

Rebecca Heisman '09 earned an MS in Environmental Education and Interpretation from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She now works as an Environmental Writer and Communications Specialist in Walla Walla, Washington.