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  • Minor https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/environmental-science-student.jpg
  • Bachelor of Arts https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/environmental-science-student.jpg
  • Bachelor of Science https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/environmental-science-student.jpg
  • Teacher Certification https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/environmental-science-student.jpg

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Environmental Science at St. Mary’s

Environmental Science addresses urbanization and the depletion of natural resources connected to an ever-increasing global population.

Environmental Scientists are constantly identifying and looking for solutions to environmental problems that directly affect our quality of life.

Today’s environmental problems call for scientists who are educated in more than one discipline, highly trained in technical skills, and aware of the political and social dimensions of environmental problems and how to make decisions with regard to these situations.

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  • Careers in Environmental Science

    Environmental scientists explore Earth’s systems of energy and matter to characterize our planet and understand how it responds to different and perhaps changing conditions.

    By studying the Earth and its resources, we recognize that certain substances and conditions must be monitored on a regular basis to ensure a clean and safe environment. Using this information, Environmental Scientists help to develop environmental policy to govern the use of technology and more effectively steward the resources of nature.

    Environmental science is a growing field, and one with many career possibilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2028.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Our students are actively engaged in undergraduate research, working with our faculty in the field and in the laboratory to explore topics such as wildlife activity in the Texas Hill Country, the habitat of 25 million-year old fossil fish, the potential effects of fireworks on an urban lake, and the atmosphere in caves around San Antonio.

Students can spend a semester abroad or at our sister university in Oahu to learn about the environment in different parts of the world. Our faculty also work actively with students to research, identify and apply for summer internships. Most of these internships are paid, and our students have conducted environmental research around the United States and even abroad in places like French Polynesia, Costa Rica, Turkey and Brazil.

Student Activities

Environmental Science students are engaged in a full range of extracurricular activities, including service in the community; fraternities and sororities; the Environment, Conservation and Outreach (ECO) Club; and St. Mary’s athletics like soccer, golf and tennis.

The ECO Club provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, trail maintenance activities at local parks, and clean-up events on campus and in the surrounding community.

As part of our Environmental Science Extravaganza, students also work with local public and private schools to bring the excitement of environmental science to students from preschool to high school.

With St. Mary’s recent commitment in 2021 as a Laudato Si university, Environmental Science students are actively engaging with faculty and administration to develop a seven-year plan for a more environmentally sustainable campus that aligns with Pope Francis’s call for all people of goodwill to care for the Earth, our common home.

Rainwater Harvesting System

A 5,050-gallon tank collects some of nearly 240,000 gallons of rain that fall onto Garni Science Hall’s roof each year. The captured rainwater irrigates landscaping in that section of campus, and our students help initiate projects like this to make St. Mary’s greener.

Environmental Science is a very versatile major, which can be done stand alone or as a complement to any other major. You can be pursuing a business degree, engineering degree or any humanities degree and make environmental science a focus.

Regina de la Parra, Class of 2021

Faculty

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We’re eager to hear from you and answer any questions you have! Feel free to reach out to learn more about St. Mary’s University.

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