Program Details
B.S. in Environmental Science
Bachelor of ScienceFerrum 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 Environmental Science program provides students with state-of-the art training and an interdisciplinary background that will enable them to deal with important environmental problems of the 21st century. In addition to the Liberal Arts Requirements curriculum required by Ferrum College and required environmental science courses, students must complete courses in biology, chemistry, earth sciences, economics, geography and statistics. Environmental problems are approached from a holistic basis and experiential learning is emphasized. An internship is required and independent research is encouraged. Ferrum College’s Environmental Science Program offers students flexibility in developing their own interests. Students are encouraged to pursue a minor, but it is not required.
Program Overview & Guidance

| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights | This is a very hands-on program offering many classes with labs that include outdoor components (we have 700 acres to explore on campus, but also offer field trips to mountains, lakes, and creeks in the area, and courses abroad such as to U.S. Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Ireland). We offer courses and opportunities to develop marketable hard skills like GIS, statistics software, and field sampling techniques. Environmental Science majors are required to complete a 400-hour internship that helps them build skills for a variety of careers. |
Program Credit Requirements

Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from an accredited instution guarantees completion of our general education curriculum and consideration for the Ferrum Promise, where completion of an approved learning contract results in attainment of the Bachelor's degree within four semesters of admission.
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Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Dual enrollment credits are evaluated based on the credentials of the institution certifying the credit. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. Enter your test into the portal to see if your scores will earn credit. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | We are a small college in a rural setting. Our students attend classes Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm, with a protected window of time in late afternoon for athletic practices. Over 90% of our student body resides on campus, and over half our student body is comprised of NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletes. As a Ferrum College student, prepare to be connected across campus and supported in every aspect of your life here as a part of our family. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Contact Ferrum College admissions at any stage of your VCCS journey, and we will work with you! |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree Integrated Environmental Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Integrated Environmental Sciences BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Environmental Sciences and Sustainability | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a STEM Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19-2041.01 | Climate Change Policy Analysts | Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.00 | Compliance Officers | Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-1041.06 | Coroners | Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-1041.08 | Customs Brokers | Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-1041.01 | Environmental Compliance Inspectors | Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 19-2041.02 | Environmental Restoration Planners | Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-1053.00 | Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-4042.00 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-2041.00 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.03 | Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 19-4071.00 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.04 | Government Property Inspectors and Investigators | Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 19-2041.03 | Industrial Ecologists | Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 13-1041.07 | Regulatory Affairs Specialists | Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
Cost To Complete

