Environmental Science

Admitted students are directly enrolled into this major. Students can bring some course requirements with them from high school when they enroll, such as:  

• Biology 1113 and 1114: Biological Sciences (AP Biology - 5 score)
• Chemistry 1210: General Chemistry I (AP Chemistry - 4+ score)
• ENR 2100 and 2101: Intro to Environmental Science (AP Environmental Science - 3+ score)
• Math 1151: Calculus I (AP Calc AB 3+ score; AP Calc BC 3+ score)
• Physics 1200: Mechanics, Kinematics, Fluids, and Waves (AP Physics 1 - 3+ score)

Additionally, students will take introductory courses in ecology, water quality management and communicating environmental information.

Whether in the field, lab, classroom, or community, you’ll take hands-on, interdisciplinary science courses that help you understand the environment and how to sustainably manage it. Students in this major spend time outside in their classes at facilities such as Stone Lab on Lake Erie or the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park in Columbus. Major courses include:

• Introduction to Ecology
• Intro to Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife
• Intro to Spatial Analysis for Environment and Natural Resources
• Water Quality Management
• Principles and Tools of Ecological Restoration

After taking introductory major courses, environmental science students customize their academic journey by focusing on one of the following specializations within the major:

• Ecosystem Restoration: Discover how ecosystems function and learn how to restore them through hands-on fieldwork and lab experiences.
• Environmental Molecular Science: Dive deep into the molecular level of environmental systems. This track is ideal if you're planning to pursue graduate studies on a research track.
• Water Science: Study freshwater systems and the growing demands on water resources. You’ll learn how to address water quality and quantity issues that impact both natural and human communities.

You can explore the curriculum more on our website.

Students are encouraged to participate in programs led by the School of Environment and Natural Resources. Specifically, the Environment and Natural Resources program in Iceland exposes students to a country with unique geological, cultural, agricultural, and environmental assets that foster ecotourism. Iceland provides a wonderful outdoor classroom for students to study and observe land degradation and resource protection issues, while learning possibilities for environmental restoration and the benefits of resource conservation. This is a 2.5-week program that runs in June.

Similar themes are studied on the SENR global education program in Australia where students spend 3 weeks in May studying human impacts on the natural environment while traveling through diverse ecosystems in North Queensland. This field-based program culminates with time spent exploring the Great Barrier Reef.  

While the major does not require an internship as part of the degree requirements, all students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship. Students who graduate with internship and/or research experiences are more likely to gain employment upon graduation. It is common for environmental science students to intern with state, federal and private organizations such as the Ohio EPA, environmental consulting firms or non-profit environmental organizations.

The School of Environment and Natural Resources career services office provides 1:1 support and organizes career development events for students.

The Environment and Natural Resources Honors program challenges high-ability students by providing a more in-depth academic experience. Students complete 18 credit hours of honors courses and a major-related experiential learning project, such as research. Freshmen with University Honors standing may be accepted directly as a candidate for the Environment and Natural Resources Honors program.

The Environment and Natural Resources Scholars program offers an opportunity for students to live and learn with other students who share interests in conservation, outdoor recreation and environmental issues. Students in the program are introduced to a variety of campus and community resources related to leadership, service, study abroad, internships, careers and research. The ENR scholars live together in Morrill Tower.

From human health to outdoor pursuits, the environment touches many aspects of our lives. For this reason, it is common for environmental science students to participate in research opportunities across the different academic areas on campus. Examples of research labs for environmental science students include:

• Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
• Landscape Ecology, Quantitative Ecology & Conservation Biology
• Environmental Microbiology and One Health Lab

There are 40+ organizations on campus related to the environment or outdoor recreation! Popular organizations among environmental science students include:

• TerrAqua: A natural resources-based club with an emphasis on the conservation, care and enjoyment of the aquatic and terrestrial environments.
• Society for Ecological Restoration: A club focused on enhancing ecosystem functions within the central Ohio landscape by promoting the return of ecosystems to a more natural state (e.g., restoring habitat).
• Mountaineers at Ohio State: OSU's premiere and largest outdoor community since 1973, which provides all levels of outdoor enthusiasts with the opportunity to meet and pool their combined knowledge, experience, and camaraderie for everyone to enjoy.

94.6% of our graduates take their skills to the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Alternatively, they enroll in graduate school within six months of graduation. Recent job outcomes include:

• Water research analyst: City of Columbus
• Environmental health specialist: City of Columbus
• Ecosystem restoration specialist: Resource Environmental Solutions
• Environmental stewardship associate: Walking Mountains
• Soil conservationist: U.S. Department of Agriculture

New environmental science OSU graduates report an average starting salary of $45,500. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2024 median annual salary for environmental scientists or specialists was around $80,000.