Dedman College Majors

Learning what makes the earth "tick" – its natural systems and how they interact on a miniscule or even global scale – is the core of this major. Interdisciplinary courses draw from biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics, with your choice of an upper-level emphasis of biology, chemistry, or earth science. This culminates in the rigorous yet exciting environmental science seminar in senior year. Other highlights include our speaker and lecture series on environmental issues, and study abroad opportunities that give you a larger perspective of how ecological and climactic issues impact the world.

Degree Highlights

B.S. in Environmental Science
Minimum 68 term hours of core courses and environmental science electives – 20 classes

Related Majors and Minors

Environmental science majors can consider pursuing related disciplines, such as biology, geology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Other complementary fields include anthropology and statistics.

Careers

The specialized research, problem-solving, and scientific methodology skills mastered will stand you in good stead for a good position with such employers as government environmental agencies, private environmental consulting firms, nonprofit environmental groups, law firms, and medical concerns.

Faculty

You will work closely with faculty advisers on research projects, and they will provide insight on selecting the upper-level emphasis that best fits your goals. Faculty span the disciplines of biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics. Many have received kudos for work in such areas as past climate change and environmental history as documented by fossil plants, structure of membrane proteins, and seismic wave theory.

Internships & Study Abroad

Dedman College students get paid internships through the Hegi Family Career Development Center. Students majoring in environmental science may be eligible to earn up to three (3) graded credits toward their degrees by enrolling for unpaid, faculty-directed internships through the Dedman College Internship Program.

The SMU Study Abroad Program offers a valuable chance to expand your horizons with yearlong, semester, or summer programs at locations around the globe. Environmental science majors will find the SMU-in-Copenhagen program especially relevant.