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

Mapping Solutions

Environmental Science and Geography major Logan McFarland '27 (right) worked with Professor Nathan Rowley during a summer research project using drones for hydrologic and ecological mapping.

Energy Trade-Offs in Nesting House Wrens

Callie Angelo '20 participated in the Summer Science Research Program, where she studied immune responses of nesting House Wrens with a limited energy supply.

A Summer of Songbirds

Joe Brush '20 participated in the Summer Science Research program, where he studied aggression in two different male songbird species with Drs. Dustin Reichard and Elizabeth Schultz.

Mapping The Plant Xylopia

Katie Vonderembse '19 used mapping software to display the distribution of a flowering plant called Xylopia. These maps offer a better understanding of the evolution and classification of the genus, and will help in the development of conservation plans. Professors David Johnson and Nancy Murray served as her mentors.

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

Soil Congress in Japan

Environmental Science major Ellie Dodds '25 and three other students received an OWU Connection grant to attend the International Soil Classification Congress in Hokkaido, Japan.

Exploring Kenya

Amelia Thrasher '25 spent a semester abroad in Kenya, focusing on endangered species and biodiversity conservation, wildlife and natural resource management, and the impacts of tourism and climate change on rural communities.

European Semester

Environmental Science major Annabel Benes '24 studying in Denmark and England during fall semester 2022 through the Open Campus Block Program offered by the Council on International Educational Exchange. The program allows students to study in up to three countries during their semester away.

Spanish & Sustainability in Costa Rica

Environmental Science Major Abbie Kline '24 spent a semester studying Spanish and environmental science in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Transformative Trek

Peyton Hardesty '20 participated in an interdisciplinary trek of the 177-mile Offa's Dyke Path in Wales and England. The trip was funded by a Theory-to-Practice Grant.

Studying Environmental Alterations

Ashley McCracken '19 studied sustainability in local industries while on a Travel-Learning Course to Costa Rica in Winter 2017.

Preserving a Paradise

An Ohio Wesleyan alumna, professors, and students in a Travel-Learning Course teamed up to use high-tech geography in Costa Rica to help preserve a rich and wonderful ecosystem.

Utah Ecosystems

Professor Laurie Anderson's Plant Communities & Ecosystems class traveled to Utah to observe how plant communities adapt to different elevations.

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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

In summer 2022, Environmental Science major Hannah Cox '24 interned with GVI Greece, a conservation-focused non-governmental organization (NGO) to protect loggerhead sea turtles. She used an OWU Connection grant to help fund the international experience. Greece is considered one of the most important nesting areas for the turtles in the Mediterranean.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice

Peyton Hardesty '20 spent the summer of 2017 working as an apprentice for Dave Noble, the Head Apiarist at Stratford Ecological Center in Delaware, Ohio. Hardesty studied healthy beekeeping methods and prevention techniques for Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

A Salty Summer Situation

Rebecca Poter '20 (left) and Katie Vonderembse '19 (right), along with Colin Hawes (not pictured) participated in the 2018 Summer Science Research Program with Dr. Amy Downing. They researched the effects of de-icing road salts on bodies of water with high quantities of microscopic organisms.

Studying Endangered Frogs in Panama

Eva Blockstein '19 spent eight weeks volunteering at the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Center, where she studied spindly leg syndrome in endangered frog species with Brian Gratwicke, Ph.D. Her research was funded by an OWU Theory-to-Practice Grant.

Ticks in Tanzania

Serena George '19 spent a semester researching ectoparasites found on ticks in Northern Tanzania. She conducted her research as part of a project at the School for Field Studies Center for Wildlife Management Studies, where she studied abroad. Her research helps show what tick-borne diseases people living in Northern Tanzania may be at risk for.

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

Dr. Laurie Anderson

Rainforests, Cloud Fountains, and the Flying River of Brazil

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Dr. Amy Downing

Feeding the Planet: Lessons from Ecology

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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 Science

You can apply to participate in the Summer Science Program where you research with fellow students and faculty for 10 weeks. You then present your research at the Patricia Belt Conrades Summer Science 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

Sarah Yerian '06

Environmental Studies and Biology alumna Sarah Yerian '06 (center) is the Senior Associate Director of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program at The Carter Center. It is one of the most successful disease eradication programs in history.

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.

Environmental Science News

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A Look at Environmental Science

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Costa Rica— Serena George '19 describes her research on the basilisk from a Travel-Learning Course.

Costa Rica

Serena George '19 describes her research on the basilisk from a Travel-Learning Course.
Talking to a Nobel Prize Winner— Environmental Science student Kait Aromy '20 asks Nobel Prize winner Jonathan Overpeck a question during the 2019 Eddy Lecture on World Politics.

Talking to a Nobel Prize Winner

Environmental Science student Kait Aromy '20 asks Nobel Prize winner Jonathan Overpeck a question during the 2019 Eddy Lecture on World Politics.
Carbon Fixation Research— Jordan Brown '18 discusses research he performed as a first-year OWU student.

Carbon Fixation Research

Jordan Brown '18 discusses research he performed as a first-year OWU student.
Field Experience— Dr. David Johnson leads a class at one of OWU's nature preserves.

Field Experience

Dr. David Johnson leads a class at one of OWU's nature preserves.
Following Darwin— Students on Dr. Panhuis's Travel-Learning Course to the Galapagos Islands explored where Charles Darwin did research for his 'Origins of the Species.'

Following Darwin

Students on Dr. Panhuis's Travel-Learning Course to the Galapagos Islands explored where Charles Darwin did research for his 'Origins of the Species.'
Costa Rica— Michael Durfee '17 performs water quality research.

Costa Rica

Michael Durfee '17 performs water quality research.
Brazil— Travel-Learning Course on the rain forest environment.

Brazil

Travel-Learning Course on the rain forest environment.
Theory-to-Practice in Patagonia— Olivia Lease '17 studied preservation and privatization of nature in Patagonia with a Theory-to-Practice Grant. She currently works for Americorps in Florida. 

Theory-to-Practice in Patagonia

Olivia Lease '17 studied preservation and privatization of nature in Patagonia with a Theory-to-Practice Grant. She currently works for Americorps in Florida. 
Horseback Riding in Costa Rica— Students on Dr. Amador-Rowley's Environmental Alterations Travel-Learning Course end the day horseback riding on a beach.

Horseback Riding in Costa Rica

Students on Dr. Amador-Rowley's Environmental Alterations Travel-Learning Course end the day horseback riding on a beach.

Program Contact Info

Location

Director: John Krygier
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
P 740-368-3622
E jbkrygier@owu.edu