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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
Drake UniversityThe Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science: Aquatic and Earth Science Track at Drake University combines natural sciences with an interdisciplinary understanding of how human activities affect the environment, preparing students to explore challenges involving water quality, geology, natural resources, and sustainability. Designed for students interested in practical environmental careers, the program develops scientific, quantitative, and communication skills through coursework in environmental science, geology, water resources, geographic information systems (GIS), and environmental policy.
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum includes core environmental science courses, laboratory work, physical science requirements, and electives selected from several outcome areas. The following year-by-year outline is an illustrative study progression based on Drake's official course requirements; students should confirm their individual sequence with an academic adviser.
Year 1: Foundations of Environmental Science
Students begin by exploring environmental systems through ENSS 035, One Earth: Global Environmental Science, ENSS 036, One Earth Laboratory, and ENSS 037, Environmental Case Analysis. These courses introduce environmental challenges, scientific investigation, and evidence-based problem-solving, while introductory geology and chemistry or physics help establish the scientific foundations needed for advanced study.
Year 2: Understanding Earth Systems and Environmental Data
Students build their understanding of Earth's physical systems through ENSS 041, Principles of Geology, and ENSS 042, Principles of Geology Lab. They can also study ENSS 065, Geographic Information Systems, to develop skills in mapping and spatial analysis, alongside ENSS 157, Environmental Justice, which examines the social dimensions of environmental challenges.
Year 3: Aquatic Systems, Climate, and Quantitative Analysis
Students can develop specialist knowledge through courses such as ENSS 138, Water Resources and Policy, and ENSS 162, Hydrology, exploring water management, water systems, and environmental decision-making. Depending on their selected requirements, they may also take ENSS 135, Global Climate Change: The Science and Policy of Global Warming, or ENSS 168, Dynamic Environmental Modeling, to strengthen their understanding of climate processes, quantitative analysis, and environmental prediction.
Year 4: Professional Skills and Applied Environmental Practice
In their final year, students complete ENSS 191, Environmental Science and Sustainability Practicum, the program's capstone course, bringing together scientific knowledge and practical environmental problem-solving. Students can complement this experience with electives such as ENSS 115, Environmental Field Course, ENSS 165, Applications of Geographic Information Systems, or ENSS 196, Environmental Internship, subject to their degree requirements and course availability.
Focus Areas
Aquatic and Earth sciences; water quality and water resources; geology; hydrology; environmental chemistry; geographic information systems; climate change; environmental policy; environmental justice; quantitative analysis; and environmental consulting.
Learning Outcomes
Students develop an understanding of environmental systems and human impacts, apply scientific methods to environmental questions, interpret field and laboratory data, use GIS for spatial analysis, strengthen quantitative and analytical skills, and evaluate environmental challenges from scientific, social, and policy perspectives. The program also supports the development of communication and practical problem-solving skills through fieldwork, internships, and applied coursework.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The degree provides an interdisciplinary science education suited to environmental consulting, water resource management, environmental education, field sampling, and related professional pathways. The official program information reviewed does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for this major. Students seeking specialized or regulated roles should verify any additional professional certification or licensing requirements relevant to their intended career.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Drake University highlights the practical career preparation offered by its Environmental Science program, including field experience, internships, and research opportunities. The university identifies potential employers and organizations in the environmental sector, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state departments of natural resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Iowa Conservation Corps; these examples indicate possible career pathways rather than guaranteed placements. No specific QS or Guardian ranking for this individual track was verified.
Drake University emphasizes hands-on learning in Environmental Science, giving students opportunities to investigate environmental systems through fieldwork, laboratory exercises, internships, and research experiences. The Aquatic and Earth Science Track is particularly relevant for students interested in water quality, geology, mapping, and natural resource management. Students can connect classroom concepts with real environmental settings through the university's field-based learning opportunities and external research experiences.
Students can develop practical expertise through the following opportunities and facilities:
One Earth Laboratory: ENSS 036, One Earth Laboratory, introduces practical scientific investigation related to environmental systems.
Geographic Information Systems: ENSS 065, Geographic Information Systems, introduces digital mapping and spatial analysis techniques useful for environmental monitoring and resource management.
Applications of Geographic Information Systems: ENSS 165 allows students to develop further practical GIS skills through an elective focused on applying spatial tools to environmental questions.
Environmental fieldwork: Field experiences in environmental science and geology help students investigate ecosystems, landscapes, and environmental processes. Drake also highlights weekend and summer field trips.
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory: Drake identifies this biological field station in Milford, Iowa, as an opportunity for students to gain additional field-based experience.
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory: The program highlights semester-long marine science experiences at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge: Students can connect their studies with environmental projects at this refuge, including prairie restoration involving bison and elk.
Environmental Learning Center: Through a collaboration with Metro Waste Authority, Environmental Science majors can explore prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats at the Environmental Learning Center.
Environmental internships: ENSS students have opportunities to gain professional experience in education, environmental research, conservation, and community engagement. Past internship and summer work examples include organizations such as the Sierra Club, U.S. Forest Service, and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Senior capstone practicum: ENSS 191, Environmental Science and Sustainability Practicum, provides an opportunity to integrate academic knowledge with applied environmental problem-solving.
The BA in Environmental Science: Aquatic and Earth Science Track prepares students for career paths involving water resources, environmental consulting, resource conservation, environmental education, and field-based environmental work. Its combination of scientific foundations, practical skills, and interdisciplinary learning can help graduates pursue entry-level professional roles or continue into postgraduate study.
Potential job roles include:
Environmental Consultant
Water Resources Technician
Environmental Field Technician
Environmental Education Specialist
Career Support and Employment Opportunities
Career development services: Drake's career services provide support with career exploration, résumé and cover-letter preparation, networking, job searches, interview preparation, and graduate-school applications.
Internship opportunities: The Environmental Science and Sustainability program connects academic learning with practical experience in research, conservation, environmental education, and community engagement. Students can explore internships and summer positions related to their interests.
University–industry connections: Drake's environmental science students have pursued opportunities with organizations such as the Sierra Club, U.S. Forest Service, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and other environmental organizations. These are examples of previous opportunities, not guarantees of employment or formal partnerships for every student.
Potential employers: The university identifies organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state departments of natural resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Iowa Conservation Corps, and Iowa Environmental Council as examples of relevant environmental career destinations.
Employment statistics: Drake's career services publishes graduate outcomes covering employment, advanced study, and other professional activities. A verified, track-specific employment rate for the Aquatic and Earth Science BA was not available in the official information reviewed, so a program-specific percentage should not be assumed.
Salary information: Earnings depend on the position, location, experience, and additional qualifications. No verified salary figure specific to graduates of this track was identified in the official sources reviewed.
Professional accreditation: The university does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for this degree track in the information reviewed. Graduates should check the requirements for any specialized environmental role or professional certification they intend to pursue.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BA, graduates can consider master's programmes in environmental science, hydrology, water resources management, geology, environmental policy, sustainability, or related fields, subject to each institution's admission requirements. Students interested in research-intensive postgraduate programmes should review the prerequisites carefully, particularly in chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, and other relevant sciences. The BA also provides a flexible foundation for students who wish to combine environmental expertise with policy, communication, education, or resource management.
US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Science applicants are generally assessed on the rigour of their Mathematics and laboratory-science coursework. Relevant preparation may include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus or Statistics, depending on the intended field. Research, science fairs, Olympiads, laboratory exposure, independent investigation and environmental or community-science projects can demonstrate scientific curiosity and analytical thinking.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Environmental ScientistHydrologistGeologistWater Quality SpecialistAquatic EcologistWatershed Management SpecialistEnvironmental ConsultantEnvironmental Policy AnalystSoil and Water Conservation SpecialistClimate Change AnalystGeographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst
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