Environmental Science

Are you passionate about the environment and the science associated with its conservation and protection? Do you want to make a difference by discovering solutions to the complex challenges that face our planet? Are you interested in exploring the interactions and relationships between human and natural systems? Our environmental science program prepares you for a career with impact, working toward a world with a sustainable future. Change the world for the better through conservation, protection and sustainability.

Amanda Murphy '23

Environmental Science / Sociology

“I chose to double major in environmental science and sociology with a sustainability track because I’ve always been curious why people do the things they do. My career aspirations are to make a positive impact and help solve global environmental problems. I hope to bring justice and sustainability to the built/natural environment and community to ensure future generations can live and flourish on this planet.

“One faulty member that challenged me was my sociology professor, Dr. Aaron Routhe. He helped me to see that failures don’t define who I am, that you can always learn from them and succeed. I believe this makes me feel prepared for a career because it has strengthened my confidence and self-discipline to always try my best and never give up. 

“Overall, Carroll’s positive learning atmosphere has allowed me to successfully identify my strengths and weaknesses to face and overcome academic and personal challenges in my life. The education based in the liberal arts makes me feel prepared for my future by instilling my passion for knowledge and learning. It has helped me see the beauty of curiosity and asking questions to gain a deeper understanding of the world and my human experience.”

 

A female student sitting at a table with a map

About the Environmental Science Major

Climate change. Pollution. Reduced biodiversity. Nonrenewable resources. Today, more than ever before, we face a wide range of environmental issues that impact all living things on our planet.

Carroll University’s Environmental Science program integrates geologic, atmospheric, chemical and biological knowledge. It’s an interdisciplinary approach that best prepares you to address natural resource management and find answers to environmental issues. You’ll develop a scientific understanding of the biological, chemical and physical aspects of environmental systems, learn to analyze environmental data and issues using quantitative and qualitative methods and acquire valuable laboratory and field skills.

Carroll offers the added advantage of hands-on learning and research experiences at our 75-acres of woodlands, a trout stream, cold-water springs and rare wetlands located in the beautiful Kettle Moraine region just west of campus. The property includes the Greene Field Station, which is adjacent to Carroll's new Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center and home to the Paul Fleckenstein Research Laboratory.

Field Station

The environmental science program helps manage a 75-acre field station. Located in the beautiful Kettle Moraine region just west of campus, the property features a trout stream, cold-water springs, extensive wetlands, the Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center and the Paul Fleckenstein Research Laboratory. This site provides students with many opportunities for indoor and outdoor laboratory and research activities.

Change the World for Better Through Conservation, Protection and Sustainability

Environmental science is a growing field with many job sectors only requiring a bachelor's degree.

Carroll's program prepares you for careers in natural resource management, environmental protection, conservation, environmental consulting, education and government.

Carroll's Environmental Science Program Offers More Choice in Less Time

Our program is flexible, allowing you to double major or obtain minors and graduate in four years or less. You may make the most of your degree by tailoring curriculum to your career goals. A sample of what you can explore includes:

  • Renewable and nonrenewable resource management, including forestry, fisheries and wildlife populations and their habitats
  • The science of climate and climate change and associated environmental, political and social issues
  • Problem solving in environmental systems
  • Urban and suburban soil and water resources
  • Watershed management and development of management plans
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS), widely used, specialized computer programs that examine data distributed on the Earth’s surface

Environmental science is a growing field which requires only a bachelor’s degree in most job sectors. Carroll’s program prepares you for careers in natural resource management, environmental protection, conservation, environmental consulting, government and air, water and soil quality.

Become a Science Teacher

Pairing the environmental science major with Carroll’s secondary education major can lead to certification by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to teach science in high school and middle school. Your major coursework will prepare you to teach courses in environmental science, while your emphasis coursework will prepare you to teach across science disciplines, which will make you more versatile in your school setting.

Graduate School Opportunities

Nearly half of Carroll's Environmental Science program students continue on to graduate programs in a wide variety of fields. Education, law, fish and wildlife ecology and management, marine sciences, environmental health, geographic information systems and water resources are just some of the directions you can choose to take your career.

Recent Carroll Environmental Science program alumni have continued their education in the following graduate programs:

  • Master of Science in Freshwater Science at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • Master of Science in Environmental Science at Alaska Pacific University
  • Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • Master of Science in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy at University of Minnesota

Degrees / Minors

In addition to the major, Carroll offers four minors that complement many areas of study. We also offer two master’s degree options in collaboration with Alaska Pacific University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences.

Internships

We help you build real world experience, explore careers and network with professionals through internship opportunities. Recent placements include the following companies:

  • Milwaukee Health Department
  • The Society for Marine Mammalogy
  • Tall Pines Conservancy
  • Retzer Nature Center
  • Urban Ecology Center
  • Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District
  • Local environmental consulting firms
  • Waukesha Green Team
  • Carroll University Greene Field Station 
  • Waukesha Land Conservancy

Careers

College is a big investment in a bright future. Learn more about the industries and careers our majors pursue, and the workplaces and experiences of the alumni from our program. See where yours may take you.

Career Insight

Latest Program News

Haylee Dunn '20

Alumna Climbs a Tree at Prairie Springs

3/7/2023

Alumni couple Diane (Schueler) '80 and Jack Champaigne '80

A Valentine's Day Love Story: Jack '80 and Diane (Schueler) Champaigne '80

2/4/2022

Jack Champaigne ’80 met Diane (Schueler) Champaigne ’80 when both welcomed new students while serving as Carroll orientation mentors. Their friendship grew in the months that followed, leading to a chilled night in February when they spent time shooting photos and then moved inside the basement of Main Hall for warmth. There, he asked her to marry him. It was Valentine's Day.

“I want to be a part of the conversation and solution...”
— Megan Weller '19

Read Megan's story

More Resources

Meet the Faculty

Panoramic View of campus