Environmental Science
College of Arts and Sciences
The Environmental and Earth Science department provides students with the knowledge they need to succeed in environmental careers.
If you are interested in making a difference and excited about solving real-world environmental issues with hands-on experience, then the Environmental and Earth Sciences Department at Doane is the place for you! Established in 1974, our curriculum nurtures students' perspectives on environmental issues and provides them with a thorough knowledge of environmental topics. As environmental problem solvers students examine a range of subjects that arise from the interaction of humans with the environment. Two Bachelor of Science degree majors are offered.
Environmental Science VS Environmental Studies
The majors prepare students for careers and graduate study in government, science, law, business, and non-profit organizations.
Available Minors:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Courses include:
- Environmental Science
- Agriculture and Geology
- Environmental History, Economics, Policy and Sustainability
- Alternative energy and Climate Change
- Geographic information systems
- Marine Science
Senior Capstone Project
Both majors complete a senior capstone project, selecting from four options:
- Practice-Based Learning (PBL) - Provides internship and research opportunities to gain experience, a professional contact, and a potential future employer. Students work with the College to Career Center and Environmental and Earth Sciences faculty to arrange the internship.
- Service Learning Internship - Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities (National Service Learning Clearinghouse). Students work with the College to Career Center and Environmental and Earth Sciences faculty to arrange the internship.
- Research Option - Provides the opportunity to work with a Doane faculty member on a research project. Facilities include the Lied Science and Mathematics Building.
- Student Teaching - Environmental Science majors completing the Science Teaching emphasis apply student teaching as their capstone. Students begin this emphasis during their first semester as freshmen at Doane and satisfy Secondary Education requirements.
Students present their results at MindExpo, Doane’s own celebration of students' creative efforts. They may also participate in paid summer research projects.
University Affiliations
Doane is a University Affiliate of the National Council for Science and the Environment and the Council of Environmental Deans and Directors.
The university is a member of the EcoLeaders program and has signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
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The Doane Difference
Comprehensive Curriculum
Environmental Science provides an undertanding of how science affects our environment. The focus is on the interactions between the solid Eath, its air, its water and its living organisms, and on the interdependent, dynamic relationships between these four components.
Understand Your Impact
The Environmental Studies major addresses environmental topics by providing a broadly integrated understanding of the social, business, political, governmental, and policy facets of environmental challenges.
A Promising Career
As the nation's emphasis on the environment continues to grow, there is an ever-growing demand for environmental jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics students seeking a career in this field can look forward to a far stronger job market than graduates of many other disciplines.
Program Information
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
2018 Median Pay: $46,170 per year
Job Outlook: +9% from 2018-2028
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination. Environmental science and protection technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
2018 Median Pay: $71,130 per year
Job Outlook: +8% from 2018-2028
Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. Environmental scientists and specialists work in offices and laboratories. Some may spend time in the field gathering data and monitoring environmental conditions firsthand.
Conservation Scientists
2018 Median Pay: $61,340 per year
Job Outlook: +3% from 2018-2028
Conservation scientists manage the overall land quality of parks, rangelands, and other natural resources. Conservation scientists work for governments (federal, state, and local), on privately owned lands, or in social advocacy organizations.
Our $10.2 million Lied Science and Mathematics Building provides an exceptional environment for study, research and interaction:
- Five chemistry labs featuring state-of-the-art equipment
- Hands-on access to high-tech instruments
- Extensive group work
- Individualized experiments challenge students to think on their own and provide the opportunity to learn from others at the same time
For students interested in field work there are locations close to campus, including the Audubon Spring Creek Prairie, wetlands, lakes and woodlands.
Outdoor research opportunities also exist on the Doane campus. The campus is included in the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and has been certified as wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
The signature curriculum of the Environmental Science major includes expected courses such as Environmental Science and Ecology. It also includes courses such as American Environmental Literature, Environmental History, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Economics, and Environmental Education and Agriculture. A two week marine science interterm to the Newfound Harbor Marine Institute in Key West, Florida will begin in January 2012 and be offered alternate years.
View detailed course information
Requirements for the Environmental Science Major:
Complete the following courses:
One course chosen from the following:
Note:
Complete A, B, C, D, E or F:
A. Biology Emphasis
Complete
Complete a minimum of seven credits from the following groups:
Group 1:
Group 2:
B. Computational Thinking Emphasis
Complete
Complete one course chosen from
Complete a minimum of three credits chosen from the following:
C. Chemistry Emphasis
Complete eight credits from the following:
Complete a minimum of three credits from the following:
D. Political Science and Policy
E. Agriculture and Natural Resource
Complete at least 9 credits from the courses below.
Note
F. Agribusiness Emphasis
Complete one course chosen from
Complete a minimum of six credits from the following:
Four-Year Plan
Requirements for Science Teaching Emphasis
Select a or b:
a. Biology
All requirements listed under the catalog section Secondary Education.
Wildlife and Conservation Organization
Project SERVE & Noyce Scholars
Doane Environmental and Earth Sciences Department graduates are sought-after by employers and graduate programs. In part this is because undergraduate research is emphasized in the program and encompasses alternative energy, agriculture, wildlife biology, water and air quality, and earth science. Included in the curriculum is a research opportunity which begins in the junior year with preparation of a research proposal and selection of a mentor. The project is then completed during the following two semesters of the senior year and culminates in presentation at meetings which include Doane MindExpo. Students participate in paid summer research experiences, which support students doing research with faculty.
The Doane Environmental Science Department develop a model for a state-wide web-based stream monitoring and teaching system.
All environmental science students complete a senior research project and present their results at MindExpo, Doane’s own celebration of students' creative efforts. Students may also participate in paid summer research projects and internships.
3-2 Programs
The 3-2 Program offers Doane Students a path to a Master's Degree at a significant savings. Highly qualified students wishing to complete a bachelor's and a master's degree can do so in five years rather than the traditional six to eight years while enjoying the benefits of beginning their education at a small university.
Student Research in Action
Making an Impact with Low-flow Showerheads - Funded by the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education
Success Story
Studying at Doane has been one of the best experiences—I've been able to conduct research, present at conferences, and have my work published.
Helena Valquier-Flynn ’18
Biochemistry
Continue Helena's Story
Success Story
Doane has been awesome about helping me with my schedule so I can focus my energy on all of my interests.
Bret Andrew ’18
Biology
Continue Bret's Story