Skip to main content

Environmental Science, B.S.

School of Arts and Sciences

What is possible when you dedicate yourself to environmental service?
Transformation.

Environmental science is where science meets the social, political and cultural processes impacting the planet.

Whether you’re observing living organisms on field trips or delving into environmental laws, you’ll encounter themes of sustainability and shalom in your coursework, providing you an axis for analysis, reflection and action.

In courses taught by faculty with expertise ranging from ecology to zoology, you’ll gain the scientific training necessary for government, business and non-profit organizations, or graduate study.

As an environmental science major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll be prepared for a life of environmental service within the global ecological community.

Program Highlights

  • National parks, forests and wildlife refuges become outdoor classrooms
  • Engage in off-campus summer and study abroad programs
  • Join the on-campus, environmental 'Shalom Club' to work on the campus garden
  • Participate in trips around California with classmates
  • Work one-on-one with faculty to choose from a broad range of topics for your capstone research project
  • Participate in the FPU Wilderness program

Yes! Tell Me More!

Loading...

Catalog

Department Chair: Alan Thompson, Ph.D.

Overview

The environmental science program supports the Fresno Pacific Idea goal of promoting "more creative and perceptive relationships between God, humanity and the natural world." The program supports environmentally-focused coursework and service that: (1) educates students in academic disciplines related to the environment; (2) uses the themes of sustainability and shalom (the biblical concept related to peace, wholeness, justice and healthy relationships) to provide a center for analysis, reflection and action; and (3) manifests the principles of the Kingdom of God by preparing students for lives of environmental service within the global human and ecological community.

Environmental science is appropriate for students desiring broad scientific training for government, business and nonprofit organizations, or graduate study in fields related to the environment. The program benefits from Fresno Pacific University's proximity to California's national forests, parks, wildlife refuges and diverse agricultural systems. The program encourages internships with local organizations and student research. Students are also encouraged to supplement their major with summer coursework offered at one of several excellent off-campus programs. Courses taken through these programs may be used as electives or, when appropriate, substituted for required courses.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate content knowledge regarding natural and human systems that relate to environmental concerns.
  2. Demonstrate information literacy including information as it is typically communicated in primary literature.
  3. Effectively communicate information related to the environment.
  4. Engage in activities that support environmental stewardship and sustainability.
  5. Apply an ethical theology of human-environmental relationships centered on the biblical concept of shalom.
  6. Design, conduct and critically evaluate scientific research.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Lower Division Major Prerequisites

  • BIOL 111 - General Biology: Cells and Physiology Credits 3
  • BIOL 111L - General Biology: Cells and Physiology Lab Credits 1
  • GEOL 151 - Earth Science Credits 3
  • MATH 210 - Calculus I Credits 4

Required Courses (38-42 units)

  • BIOL 121 - General Biology: Diversity and Ecology Credits 3
  • BIOL 121L - General Biology: Diversity and Ecology Lab Credits 1
  • BIOL 312 - Ecology Credits 3
  • BIOL 312L - Ecology Lab Credits 1
  • BIOL 485ENV - Senior Seminar Credits 2
  • BIOL 496 - Biological Research Credits 1 - 3 or
  • CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I Credits 3
  • CHEM 103L - General Chemistry I Lab Credits 1
  • CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II Credits 3
  • CHEM 104L - General Chemistry II Lab Credits 1
  • CHEM 340 - Environmental Chemistry Credits 3
  • CHEM 340L - Environmental Chemistry Lab Credits 1
  • CHEM 496 - Chemistry Research Credits 1 - 4
  • ENV 160 - Introduction to Environmental Science Credits 3
  • ENV 161L - Environmental Field Study Lab Credits 1
  • ENV 482 - Environmental Studies Practicum Credits 1 - 3
  • MATH 205 - Introductory Statistics Credits 3
  • MATH 206L - Introductory Statistics Lab Credits 1
  • PS 373 - Nature, Law and Policy Credits 3
  • THEO 425 - Theological Ethics and the Environment Credits 3

Electives (12-16 Units)

Complete additional elective courses to meet the 54 units required in the major (minimum of 12 units from the Division of Natural Sciences)

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
Things to Keep in Mind
Tab through to leave this widget
or
follow this link to go back to the first header

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application
Steps for Re-admission
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission
Auditing a class
Tab through to leave this widget
or
follow this link to go back to the first header

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements
Student responsibilities
Tab through to leave this widget
or
follow this link to go back to the first header

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2025-2026

2024-2025

Tab through to leave this widget
or
follow this link to go back to the first header

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophomore Housing

Junior / Senior Housing

Tab through to leave this widget
or
follow this link to go back to the first header

Notes about housing

Tab through to leave this widget
or
follow this link to go back to the first header

Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
FPU Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

Career Opportunities

Environmental scientists are prepared for a range of career paths, including teaching, research and governmental work. This program will also equip you for graduate study, including teacher credential programs. Specific opportunities can be found in public affairs, environmental consulting, conservation and preservation.

Career Possibilities

  • Environmental scientist
  • Environmental lawyer
  • Environmental engineer
  • Zoologist
  • Conservation scientist
  • Hydrologist
  • Teacher

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center