Program Details
Environmental Science Major - BS
Bachelor of ScienceBridgewater College
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is located in the McKinney Center of Science and Mathematics. The department offers introductory and advanced courses to provide students with broad disciplinal foundation. The rapid expansion of the biological sciences assures bright futures for well-prepared biologists and environmental scientists. The Biology major allows students maximum preparation and flexibility. A minor in Biology is recommended for students who want to pair experiences in life science while pursuing another major. Students may also select a Biology major with a secondary teacher education endorsement in preparation for teaching grades 6-12. In addition, the department offers minors in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Science, and Wildlife Biology. Students also work with faculty mentors via internships, study abroad, field work and summer research opportunities. The Environmental Science major is closely tied to studies in biology, and students may double major in Biology and Environmental Science. The Environmental Science curricula takes advantage of rapidly expanding knowledge in ecology, molecular and cell biology, environmental chemistry and instrumentation to prepare students for the myriad career paths in this area. Students majoring in Biology or Environmental Science find employment directly after graduation as life science or earth science teachers, laboratory technicians, health professionals, pharmaceutical salespersons, and in environmental professions including the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. With graduate or professional degrees, Bridgewater alumni go on to successful careers as physicians, veterinarians, dentists, foresters, wildlife biologists, research scientists, environmental planners and genetic counselors.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | A major in Environmental Science includes studies in math and chemistry. The classes cover fundamental principles from ecology to statistics to chemistry, as well as policy classes about how humans interact with natural resources. The electives are your way to tailor the program to your particular interests, such as wildlife biology, conservation, water resources, GIS and more. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | All courses must be completed with a C of better. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | A degree in Environmental Science opens up numerous career paths in fields such as environmental engineering, water quality, wildlife biology, conservation and more. A minor in Wildlife Biology is a great addition to show preparation for graduate school or a job directly after finishing at BC. We also have a semester program with the Smithsonian Institution at their Front Royal campus for students to prepare with coursework in conservation and field work. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Students who graduate with an Environmental Science major find jobs in state and federal parks, water quality, environmental engineering, fisheries management, and field technicians. As part of their career path, some students pursue advanced degrees in environmental management, engineering and public policy. We expect strong US job growth in all areas of environmental science in the next decade, so this is a valuable degree for building your successful career. |
Program Credit Requirements
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Bridgewater College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completing an AA, AS, or AA&S degree will waive all but 4 credits of our Foundations in Liberal Arts Program. Students who graduate with a transfer-oriented associate degree (A.A., A.S., or A.A.&S.), will have all Bridgewater general education course requirements waived except for two courses (2-4 total credit hours). These are our Connected Learning (CL) 150 course designed to serve as an orientation for transfer students, and CL 400 that serves as a senior capstone experience. CL 400 may be delivered within the major (3 credits) or separately (1 credit). |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | The completion of an Associate Degree concurrent with high school results in course work towards your degree and most general education courses satisfied. Students who graduate with a transfer-oriented associate degree (A.A., A.S., or A.A.&S.), will have all Bridgewater general education course requirements waived except for two courses (2-4 credit hours). These are our Connected Learning (CL) 150 course designed to serve as an orientation for transfer students, and CL 400 that serves as a senior capstone experience. CL 400 may be delivered within the major (3 credits) or separately (1 credit). |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Bridgewater College may award credit for Advanced Placement and military experience. See the linked pages for credit evaluation policies. |
| Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | You'll be part of a vibrant community where people truly know and care for one another. Bridgewater is home to approximately 1,500 full-time students (undergraduate and graduate), 80% of whom live on campus. With an average class size of 19, you'll make lasting connections with your professors and classmates. You won't lack for opportunities to get involved with more than 50 student clubs and organizations to choose from. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the academic year of the first semester of attendance at Bridgewater College. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the academic year of the first semester of attendance at Bridgewater College. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | VCCS Students need to declare an intent to transfer to Bridgewater after completing a minimum of 15 credits towards the transfer-oriented associate degree. VCCS Students should complete all Bridgewater transfer application requirements, and apply for graduation from VCCS. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2021.00 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2022.00 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete