Why Study Environmental Science?
The future of our planet’s health will depend on professionals who can assess and solve our most pressing environmental problems. Environmental science will teach you about our natural world and how to live sustainably within it. Students can pursue careers that involve animal observation, plant survey work, population analysis, plant restoration, education, and data and statistical analysis, or graduate work in conservation biology, ecological restoration, or ecological research.
Environmental Science’s New Home
Environmental science students will now study in the new , a 101,000-square-foot facility equipped built to meet LEED-certification standards for environmental responsibility in construction and operation. This new hub of scientific life at North Park provides both lab and practical-learning opportunities as students explore stewardship and sustainability.
Internships
Earn up to 4 credits toward your major by completing an internship in environmental science work. Our students have interned at organizations that include:
Chicago Botanic Garden
Friends of the Chicago River
Morton Arboretum
The Field Museum
Shedd Aquarium
Biology Department Honors Club
Every spring, a new group of high-achieving students from majors in the Biology Department, including environmental science, are invited to join the . Members gather regularly for meals, research discussions, outdoor exploration, guest speakers, and trips.
Trip Courses: Research in Paradise
Field research is the best way to see environmental science in action. Every year, North Parkers embark on research trips to exotic locations around the world. Trips that explore the tropical ecology of Costa Rica, watershed biology in Ethiopia, or the prairie and ranch resources of South Dakota provide hands-on experiences that environmental science majors will find invaluable. Accompanied by their professors, students are immersed in the ecology and culture of their travel destinations, and consult with local experts to enrich their learning.