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Are you in love with nature and enjoy being outside as much as inside? Do you often rely on logic to solve complex problems or come up with original solutions? Could you see yourself leading local and global environmental change initiatives? If this sounds like you, then a minor in environmental biology could add unique value to your career goals.

¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç's Department of Biology prepares you to address the very serious need in our world today for people trained to advocate for the healing and restoration of creation — both land and people. You will take classes that get you outside to investigate a variety of ecosystems and analyze how human activity impacts them. To prepare you for environmental science careers, we offer an interdepartmental program where you'll have the chance to take core science classes in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, alongside electives in political science, economics, philosophy, or sociology. This broad range of academic disciplines will empower you to understand the connections and interactions between the environment and people, and provide you with critical skills needed to tackle solutions to problems.

Spotlight

Mike Mooring, Ph.D.

Since 2009, ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç’s Department of Biology has led a biennial Neotropical Ecology field course in Costa Rica that has garnered rave reviews by students. In 2010, Dr. Mike Mooring, professor of biology, began leading his summer research students to Costa Rica to conduct field research.

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This minor requires you to complete 4 units within an off-campus environmental program, which can be completed as part of a summer program or semester abroad. Approved programs include , , , and . The goal is to encourage you to expand your learning beyond ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç and take advantage of many specialized and unique courses that cannot be offered at ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç. 

For information about the courses required for the Environmental Biology, minor program, view the ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç Catalog. 

After graduating from ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç with a degree in biology, the university helped me find a job during the height of the 2009 recession. Two years later, I was accepted into a Ph.D. program at University of California, San Diego. My experiences at ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç — the coursework, labs, hands-on research, personal connections, and spiritual guidance — have laid the groundwork for my success as a scientist and a researcher.

Lane Votapka, Ph.D., Class of 2009
Postdoctoral Researcher, SUNY Stony Brook

Industries are beginning to recognize their responsibility in helping create and maintain a sustainable planet. Because of this, there are many organizations interested in hiring people who understand how decision-making activities may impact the environment. A environmental biology minor from ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç will provide you the fundamentals of natural science and be useful as you prepare for graduate programs or careers in fields like conservation, renewable energy, education, public health, sustainability, urban planning, and resource management. Alumni are also sought after for the ways they are able to confidently integrate and apply their faith, knowledge, and skill set into their work.

Student Profile

Caleb Bryce, Ph.D.

In graduate school, Caleb M. Bryce, Ph.D. trained dogs how to run on a treadmill. It was cute he says, but it was to study the effects of domestication and intensive artificial selection on the running performance of various breeds in comparison to their shared wild cousin, the wolf.

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A minor in environmental biology can help you pursue careers in the following areas:

• Botany
• Conservation Biology
• Ecology
• Environmental Analysis
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Education
• Environmental Planning
• Resource Management
• Wildlife Biology
• Environmental Consulting
• Ecological Research

How Do We Live Like Every Day Is Earth Day?

How can we convert small actions like bringing a reusable water bottle to work or biking on our commute into a lifestyle change that makes a real difference?