Environmental Science, Forensic Science Concentration

The forensic science concentration will turn students into sleuths who look at a mysterious environmental situation and work on the issue of who or what did it.

This forensic science track will allow students to earn a B.S. in Environmental Science with a focus on coursework that will prepare them for careers with environmental forensics components, such as determining or confirming environmental liability in working for government agencies, consulting firms or industry. These students will be the sleuths to look at a mysterious environmental situation and work on the issue of who or what did it.

The goal of this emphasis is to allow students to develop strong analytical skills and an understanding of the legal framework for this type of science. For example, students will take a microscopy course that will allow them to test trace evidence without destroying it. These skills are integral when cases are consistently retried and evidence retested with new methods; traditionally, environmental science classes do not focus on maintaining the integrity of the sample after analysis. A course focused on toxicology provides instruction related to environmental law and regulation, as well as determination of sources and effects of toxic chemicals in the environment.

The ES Forensic Science program will attract students interested in essentially any and all environmental science professions and career tracks, and not just those who plan to work specifically as environmental forensic technicians or scientists. For example, many environmental scientists perform Phase I and Phase II investigations of sites for a variety of reasons, from due diligence for land or facility purchases to determining whether closed or operating sites have environmental challenges that may require remediation. The skills and knowledge learned in the concentration are most helpful in those types of investigations, and students are expected to be competitive for a wide variety of positions working for environmental labs, regulatory agencies, industry, consulting firms, law firms and non-governmental organizations.