BS in Environmental Science: Environmental Chemistry Emphasis
BS in Environmental Science: Environmental Chemistry Emphasis
journey today.
Are you interested in how humans interact with nature? Do you find yourself wondering how earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters affect the environment? Are you passionate about topics like air and water quality, toxic and hazardous substances, endangered species and wetlands, global climate change or issues pertaining to coastal management? Earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with an Emphasis in Environmental Chemistry at Grand Canyon University explores topics that may help you pursue a career that can potentially make a meaningful impact on the protection of ecosystems.
The field of environmental science and chemistry is an exploration into the movement of chemicals, including contaminants, through the environment and their effects on the health of animals, plants and humans, as well as the ecosystem as a whole.1 Environmental chemists play a significant role in assessing these environmental and health risks and often play a large part in developing remediation plans to better protect the environment.1
Courses in this program focus on the importance of Earth in sustaining our daily lives. In this program, you will be taught how to engage with complex contemporary environmental issues. Some environmental chemistry examples include scientists investigating the impact of carbon emissions on air quality or how pharmaceuticals might contaminate groundwater.1 As a future professional in environmental science, these are questions you may investigate someday.
Unlocking the Advantages of GCU's On-Campus Experience
This program is designed for students who are interested in taking traditional on-campus daytime classes and labs in person. As an on-campus student at GCU, you can immerse yourself in a supportive learning community as you study environmental chemistry topics. Benefit from stimulating discussions with your peers and interact with knowledgeable instructors in GCU’s in-person environmental chemistry courses.
Environmental Science Degree
Pursuing the field of environmental chemistry teaches you to study the health of humanity, the planet we live on, and the animals with which we share it with. To prepare for this career, you will have the opportunity to examine essential environmental management practices and sustainability practices that can help solve ecological and human health protection issues, such as:1
GCU builds these courses to study ethical ramifications of environmental science through the lens of the Christian worldview, guided by the principles of social and ecological responsibility and humanitarianism.
Skills Taught in This Bachelor’s in Environmental Science Program
Environmental chemistry is crucial for developing an understanding of how chemicals move through and affect ecosystems and human health.1 This program emphasizes critical scientific thinking, practical project experience, and the development of scientific acumen that can prepare you to potentially pursue jobs in the field.
The environmental science and chemistry coursework teaches specific program concepts and skills, such as:
In addition to scientific foundational skills, workplace skills such as effective communication, teamwork, work ethic and analytical skills are taught throughout this program. By developing these soft and hard skills, you may have the opportunity to pursue work within analysis and analytical lab environments, consult or perform environmental impact assessments, and explore pollution remediation options.
Graduates may be able to set themselves up to pursue roles within government agencies, consulting, research institutions, or contributing to pollution analysis and mitigation. Opportunities in green technology development and academia may also be available in this field.
Some options of what you can do with the environmental science and chemistry experience taught in this program may include:
When thinking about your options for higher education, it’s important to ensure that you choose an accredited school. Institutional accreditation is a reflection of the quality of the college or university. GCU is proud to be institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which means that credits and degrees earned at GCU are recognized by graduate schools, employers and professional organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a degree program can be a significant decision that may affect your future. It’s important to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and interests. Use these frequently asked questions and answers to get started.
Environmental chemistry is a subfield of environmental science that studies the presence, movement and impact of various chemicals on ecosystems and their inhabitants, including plants, animals and people. It can encompass studies of soil, surface water, groundwater and air quality. An environmental chemist may study the effects of a range of chemicals, including contaminants.1 This field typically plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing issues such as pollution, climate change and the preservation of natural resources.
Before a scientist can figure out how to solve a problem, they must first develop a solid understanding of it. An environmental chemist may take samples from the environment, such as soil or water samples, and subject those samples to laboratory tests to identify the presence of chemicals and determine how those chemicals affect that ecosystem. The scientist can then develop recommendations for remediation, and may even supervise the remediation efforts.1
The exact role and responsibilities of an environmental chemist will likely vary, depending on the employer and the particular project they’re working on at any given time. In general, environmental chemists may do any of the following:1
The curriculum for GCU’s environmental science and chemistry degree includes a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory work to teach both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. You will conduct hands-on research in labs that cover topics such as instrumental analysis, general chemistry and chemical investigation and remediation. In addition, you will be required to complete the capstone thesis course, which involves a hands-on research project.
Environmental science may be an ideal career fit for you if you’re interested in getting out of the office to work, but don’t necessarily want to spend all of your time outdoors. Like other environmental scientists, environmental chemists typically have a blended schedule that involves both fieldwork and work performed in offices and labs.2 In addition, environmental chemists may sometimes need to travel to consult with clients or attend professional conferences.2 It can be an exciting line of work for someone who enjoys doing something different every day.
At GCU, you’ll be able to study environmental science from the lens of the Christian worldview, which can instill a greater sense of purpose and a higher calling to environmental stewardship in your work ethic. You’ll be able to immerse yourself within a Christian learning community that strives to support and inspire its members to embrace a servant leadership mindset. Furthermore, the general education coursework at GCU is designed to teach transferrable skills, including critical thinking, communication and global awareness.
There may be scholarships available for students who wish to study environmental chemistry. To help make higher education more accessible, you may want to look into the following scholarships:3
In addition, GCU is committed to helping make Christian higher education more affordable for our students. We offer multiple scholarship and grant opportunities to traditional, undergraduate students. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor to discover which opportunities you might be eligible for.
Start Your Journey Today
Envision creating a lasting impact on the world as you contribute to potentially enhancing the health of our planet for generations to come. Contact a university counselor or apply for GCU’s BS in Environmental Science with an Emphasis in Environmental Chemistry today!
1 EnvironmentalScience.org. (n.d.). What is an Environmental Chemist? Retrieved Sept. 20, 2023.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept 6). Environmental Scientists and Specialists: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 20, 2023.
3 FastWeb. (n.d.). Environmental Chemistry. Retrieved on Sept. 20, 2023.