Oct 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Environmental Science and Sustainability - Major


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: ACADEMIC PROGRAMS A-Z

Director: Patrick Garrett, Ph.D.

Sustainable living is a necessity if humans intend to avoid extinction.  This program provides a comprehensive academic curriculum for people who want to become informed decision-makers and participate in the transformation toward a sustainable society.  These decisions must be based on an understanding of the three pillars of sustainability: ecology, economics and social-political aspects.  This multidisciplinary major provides a core of required science and sustainability courses with two tracks: (1) Ecology and Natural Resources; (2) Economics, Green Business, Policy, and Law.  Environmental research or internship is a unique feature of the program and is included in all tracks.  The program prepares students for endless career opportunities in government or private sector jobs as environmental scientist, engineer, or manager, or for pursuing research in graduate studies so they can participate in the global revolution toward sustainable living on the earth.

All biology department courses and courses with a “SCI” prefix for the major programs must be completed with a grade of C- or better to satisfy the program requirements.

Note: See list of Minors for related minors in Bioethics, Biology, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical - Minor and Pre-Veterinary

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Environmental Science Core


The foundation of this multidisciplinary program is based on the fundamentals of different disciplines of science.  Some of these courses are also part of the Nazareth University core curriculum; these courses include a “Q” in the prefix.

Environmental Science & Sustainability Tracks


Along with core requirements, students choose one of the following two tracks. Two semesters of environmental research in SCI 450 can replace one upper level elective.

Ecology and Natural Resource Track


Economics, Green Business, Policy, Law Track


Semester Abroad Opportunities


An understanding through authentic, experience-based learning about other countries of the world is essential for the understanding and participation in global sustainability. Nazareth University students can participate in two study-abroad programs that address sustainability. A semester of study in Costa Rica focusing on the sustainability of tropical forest ecology is available through AIFS and course selection with the academic advisor will ensure that a full semester of courses will transfer to Nazareth University . The Nazareth University Berlin Program provides an academic and experiential opportunity with courses in economics, sustainable practices in Europe, and the politics of achieving sustainability. A full semester of seventeen credits includes an intensive course in the German language as well as liberal arts electives plus an internship (applied toward BIO 483). More information on these opportunities can be found on the Biology Department, Study Abroad Opportunities web page.

Environmental Science and Sustainability Sample Program: Ecology & Natural Resource Track


Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Senior Year


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: ACADEMIC PROGRAMS A-Z