Majors and Minors Home
About the Major
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences conveys a broad understanding of the natural world and its interaction with human development. Students apply state-of-the-art field methods, instrumentation and data analysis to study the natural and human environment.
Jobs in the field of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences
- Environmental scientist
- Natural resource manager
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental educator
- Ecologist
Related Majors, Minors and Programs
New Major Offers Comprehensive Understanding to Timely Issues
As a child in Huntsville, Alabama, Christian Berrien had no interest in TV cartoons. 鈥淚 always watched the History channel and National Geographic,鈥� he said.
So it鈥檚 no surprise that, during his freshman year at the University of South Alabama, he switched to the environmental and sustainability sciences major as soon as South created it.
鈥淓verything about the environment has always interested me, from the ocean all the way to space,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always tried to learn as much as I can about it.鈥�
He liked the breadth of his major field. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not specifically the biology of it,鈥� Berrien said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not specifically the chemistry or the physics. It鈥檚 everything all together, a comprehensive understanding of what you鈥檙e studying.鈥�
Another thing that intrigued him was the urgency of the subject. Climate change and other environmental issues directly impact people鈥檚 lives.
鈥淭he more educated that people are as a whole, that鈥檚 how you change things.鈥�
鈥淭he planet鈥檚 always going to be fine, barring something hitting it and making it explode,鈥� Berrien said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the life on the planet that鈥檚 threatened. As the dominating species on the planet, it鈥檚 our responsibility to make sure that everything is taken care of.鈥�
Such inspiring teachers as Dr. Amy Sprinkle, instructor of marine and environmental sciences, nudged him toward a career path that surprised him: high school science teacher. After finishing his undergraduate studies, he hoped to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in secondary education.
鈥淚 come from a family of educators,鈥� Berrien said. However, 鈥淚 never thought I would see myself in education until I got to South, honestly.
鈥淚鈥檓 really not one of the people that just complain about an issue. I鈥檇 rather learn more about it and try to fix it. Environmental problems are not something that one person can fix. But the more educated that people are as a whole, that鈥檚 how you change things.鈥�
Did You Know?
- Students have multiple learning opportunities in Mobile Bay and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, known as 鈥淎merica's Amazon.鈥� It鈥檚 our nation's most biodiverse river system.
- Community engagement opportunities include working at an oyster farm, volunteering for beach cleanups, removing invasive species and caring for local wildlife at the Environmental Studies Center.
- South鈥檚 location and community partnerships offer students ample networking connections and pathways to postgraduate employment.
Contact:
Email Marine Sciences
Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences
(251) 460-7136
Curriculum and Degree Requirements