Environmental Science

Environmental Science Program

The Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Environmental Science is for students who desire to develop the necessary skills to create meaningful changes for our Earth.

Stewardship of our planet is a priority set by God. With a degree in environmental science from Olivet, students are ready to dedicate their lives to solving some of the most serious problems our world faces. They have the knowledge, passion and skills needed to be leaders in addressing issues related to natural resources, climate, biodiversity and sustainable development. In addition to completing research and internships, many environmental science students are actively involved in field study trips throughout the country and around the world that expose them to different perspectives and help put their knowledge to work.
 

Environmental Science Graduates

  • Advise others on how to clean the environment
  • Help make laws about protecting the environment
  • Help companies comply with environmental laws
  • Write concise and persuasive reports
  • Help find funding for environmental projects
  • Protect natural resources
  • Preserve water
  • Give advice on land-use and building projects
  • Study and design sites for waste disposal
  • Control pollution
  • Repair damaged natural areas

Department of Biological Sciences >
Department of Chemistry and Geosciences >
 

Possible Careers After Graduation

  • Air quality planner
  • Attorney
  • Conservation planning specialist
  • Director of environmental organization
  • Environmental compliance information specialist
  • Environmental consultant
  • Environmental data analyst
  • Environmental educator
  • Environmental engineer
  • Environmental planner
  • Environmental project coordinator
  • Environmental protection specialist
  • Environmental scientist
  • Environmental specialist
  • Environmental technician
  • Field environmental specialist
  • Grants specialist
  • Green entrepreneur
  • Habitat coordinator
  • Land preservation specialist
  • Naturalist
  • Outdoor education naturalist
  • Outdoor/environmental instructor
  • Professor
  • Project consultant
  • Stewardship coordinator
  • Superintendent of natural resource operations

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Going Solar

Olivet recently completed a massive solar project, installing over 3100 solar panels across 3 acres of campus rooftop, the carbon saving equivalent to planting 15,000 trees each year! This project emerged from the work of faculty, staff and Environmental Science students, and demonstrates the commitment of the University to Creation Care. In addition to campus solar production, Olivet also utilizes geothermal, wind energy and campus-wide LED.

Conservation & Restoration Partners

Students at Olivet have access to over 2.5 acres of student managed tallgrass prairie on campus and over 70 acres just off campus. These resources, in addition to relationships and partnerships with nearby organizations like Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, The Nature Conservancy, Kankakee River State Park, Kankakee Soil and Water Conservation District and the Bourbonnais Township Park District provide students opportunities for research, internships and volunteer experiences while completing their studies.

Environmental scientists take God's call to care for His world and restore broken relationships seriously. At Olivet, students have been involved in restoring a long-lost tall grass prairie near campus, providing homes for now rare plants and animals and an extending the life of an exemplary outdoor lab space for research.

Field Experience

Recent Environmental Science student/faculty excursions include:

  • Arctic Field Biology course & research to the Arctic Circle, Alaska
  • Tropical Field Biology course & research to the cloud forests of Costa Rica
  • Habitat study of 14,000 sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area, Indiana
  • Summer research with faculty studying prairies, black oak savannas, tropical cloud forests, and invasive fish in prairie streams
  • Small mammal studies for the Illinois DNR at Kankakee River State Park
  • Marine and Island Ecology course with the Shedd Aquarium to the Bahamas
  • 12+ summer courses at Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in northern Michigan and Washington State

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