Environmental Science

Human consumption of our planet’s natural resources increases each year.  Habitat degradation, pollution (air, water, and soil), and social concerns, such as overpopulation and poverty, are only a few of the problems created by our demand for more resources to manufacture and fuel our technology. 

The twenty-first century will see a shift to alternative energy technologies and new strategies for preservation of the planet’s biodiversity and conservation of its natural resources.  Therefore, environmental science degrees will be advantageous as scientists will be needed to solve and monitor these problems, as well as design new technologies.

The Environmental Science program at Lewis University is committed to providing a comprehensive education to its students.  Our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of this field, including coursework in both biology and environmental science with additional coursework in chemistry and earth science.  Students who pursue the B.S. degree may choose an ecology or sustainability track.

Students in our program have opportunities to learn from scientists at the Morton Arboretum, John G. Shedd Aquarium, and McCrone Group through the university’s affiliation with the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA).  Some courses offered through these institutions are Marine Mammalogy, Freshwater Ecology, Plant Genetics, Plant-Animal Interactions, Evolution of Plant Diversity, and Soil Science.

The Biology Department also offers undergraduate research opportunities for interested students to expand their horizons and gain valuable field and laboratory skills that can be useful in their careers.

Graduates can pursue advanced degrees in fields such as ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, environmental biology, and forestry; or careers with environmental protection agencies and local and state conservation agencies.  This is only a short list of the opportunities available to our graduates.

For more information, please contact:

Jerry H. Kavouras, Ph.D.
Director of the Environmental Science program
kavourje@lewisu.edu