Environmental Science
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FROM CURIOUS MINDS
If you love working outdoors, care about the well-being of all life on Earth, and want to build the scientific and social skills needed to lead your generation, then you are the perfect Valpo environmental science student. We will make you will feel at home here among fellow students who are also committed to protecting our planet through a compassionate yet rigorous approach to problem solving.
Environmental science at Valpo is an interdisciplinary degree, drawing on expertise from our professors in biology, chemistry, economics, geography, philosophy, and sociology. Our students create a culture of empathy and goodwill to serve our society and the major environmental challenges we face. Throw in some adventure and camaraderie in the field, plus hands-on research experiences, and you have a college experience like no other.
PRIME LOCATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Valpo’s location in Northwest Indiana is a strength for your studies because the entire region is a living laboratory. The Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the most ecologically interesting field sites in the nation — and it is just minutes from Valpo’s campus. Students work with professors on a variety of research projects at the Dunes and the surrounding region. We even offer a course on the Dunes ecosystem taught by a USGS scientist.
More broadly, the close proximity of industrial, residential, agricultural, and protected natural areas in Northwest Indiana and Chicago provide an ideal opportunity for you to learn and think about the connections between land use, pollution, environmental justice, policy-making, and service.
APPLIED KNOWLEDGE
You can learn a lot in the classroom, but some of your most impactful studies at Valpo will be in the field — literally. Here you’ll apply your knowledge and advance your skills in meaningful ways:
Service opportunities like restoring fish habitats, participating in prescribed burns, working toward environmental justice, reforestation, and invasive species management.
Classroom projects like satellite data analysis, environmental mapping, landscape modeling, testing water quality, and microplastics research.
Off-campus study in environments as diverse as Costa Rica, Namibia, France, and Australia.
CAREER PATHS
You can expect to find career opportunities at institutions such as:
• Environmental consulting firms
• Environmental restoration companies
• Legal firms (environmental law)
• Local, state, and federal government agencies
• Manufacturing firms
• National and state parks
• Nonprofit organizations
• Sustainable engineering firms
• Utility companies and renewable energy research
• Waste and toxic disposal companies
• Wildlife conservation organizations
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
You will be challenged in your environmental science courses, that’s a guarantee. And you’ll be supported through departmentbased help sessions, one-on-one guidance from professors during open help hours, and the many free resources of the Academic Success Center. You will grow through these challenges and be better prepared to launch a meaningful career. We’ve got your back!
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
For information on scholarships and awards, visit valpo.edu/financialaid
Learn More
Valparaiso University admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. (For a full statement, see valpo.edu.)
A VALPO EDUCATION
At Valpo, you receive a comprehensive, rigorous education within the liberal arts tradition, learning to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems creatively. Our committed faculty invests in the success of students both in and out of the classroom, providing you the individualized attention and guidance fundamental to reaching your full potential. Our University prides itself on being innovative, continually expanding upon its premier programs in response to an ever-changing job market. The environmental science major will supply you with a broad skillset that prepares you to be resourceful and grow constantly, so you can focus on creating a better world.
We’ve compiled all the useful information about the environmental science major — including courses, research opportunities, admission, financial aid, and career opportunities — on our website. Ready to learn more? Get started at valpo.edu/environmental-science.