Environmental Science: Environmental Health BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Southeast Missouri State University

Program Overview

Southeast Missouri State University’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science: Environmental Health prepares students to understand how environmental conditions influence human health and community well-being. The program combines biology, chemistry, environmental science, public health, and toxicology, helping students develop the scientific knowledge and practical experience needed to address challenges such as pollution, hazardous materials, disease prevention, and environmental safety.

Curriculum structure

The curriculum requires a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation, including general education and major coursework. The following four-year structure is based on SEMO’s published sample degree plan; course sequencing may vary.

First year: Building a scientific foundation

Students begin with core science subjects that establish the foundation for understanding environmental systems and human health. Courses include Cell and Organismal Biology (BI 173), Environmental Biology (EV 105), Environmental Biology Lab (EV 106), and General Chemistry I and II, supported by mathematics and general education coursework. These subjects introduce biological processes, environmental systems, laboratory practices, and essential scientific reasoning.

Second year: Exploring environmental health

Students start connecting scientific concepts with public health and environmental conditions. Key modules include Environmental Health I (EV 386), Physical Geology (GO 110), Health Perspectives (HL 120), and Elementary Probability and Statistics (MA 223). Together, these courses develop an understanding of environmental influences on health, geological processes, quantitative analysis, and the foundations of health protection.

Third year: Investigating environmental risks

The third year focuses on evaluating environmental hazards and understanding their effects on individuals and communities. Students study Environmental Health II (EV 388), Environmental Site Assessment (GO 305), Earth Science: Environmental Hazards (GO 150), and Community Health (HL 320). These subjects help students explore environmental assessment, hazard identification, community-level health concerns, and approaches to managing environmental risks.

Fourth year: Applying knowledge to real-world challenges

In the final year, students strengthen their specialist knowledge through Introduction to Environmental Law (EV 387), Environmental Economics (EV 344), Introduction to Toxicology (EV 460), and Environmental Science Seminar II (EV 401). The program also provides for an environmental science internship or research experience, enabling students to apply their learning to practical problems and prepare for employment or further study.

Focus areas

Environmental health, environmental toxicology, epidemiology, hazardous materials assessment, environmental site assessment, environmental hazards, community health, environmental law, environmental economics, and pollution-related health risks.

Learning outcomes

Graduates are prepared to apply scientific principles to environmental health problems, understand how environmental exposures affect human health, examine disease patterns and risk factors, assess environmental hazards, interpret scientific data, and consider the regulatory and economic dimensions of environmental protection. The program’s emphasis on internship or research experience also supports the development of practical problem-solving and investigative skills.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

SEMO describes this as a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with an Environmental Health option. The official program page does not identify a specific professional accreditation for this degree, so students interested in a particular environmental health credential or certification should confirm the applicable requirements with the department before enrolling.

Reputation (employability rankings)

SEMO identifies organizations where environmental science students and graduates have gained internship, employment, and post-baccalaureate opportunities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These examples demonstrate relevant professional pathways, but they should not be interpreted as a guaranteed placement rate or a program-specific employment ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At SEMO, students in Environmental Science: Environmental Health develop practical skills through laboratory work, field-based learning, and applied research. The program includes an internship or research experience, giving students opportunities to connect classroom knowledge with environmental challenges. The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences provides access to natural research areas, analytical laboratories, and scientific equipment that can support students' investigation of environmental systems and health-related issues.

Students can build their practical experience through the following opportunities:

- Internship or research: Complete an environmental science internship or research experience for academic credit. Internship placements must relate to the student's major and receive program approval; research students investigate an environmental science problem.

- Miller Reserve Wetlands Restoration Project: Explore environmental restoration and field-based study at the university's Miller Reserve, a 27.22-acre research site. The department's research activities also use analytical laboratories and geoprocessing facilities.

- Kelso Wildlife Sanctuary: Gain exposure to forest ecosystems through a natural area maintained by the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and used for classes and independent student research.

- Reis Biological Research Station: Participate in field trips, short courses, and research opportunities in an area featuring forests, caves, springs, ponds, rivers, and reservoirs. The station is owned and maintained by Saint Louis University and is part of a research-station consortium in which SEMO participates.

- Analytical laboratories and geoprocessing technology: The department's research resources include analytical instrumentation, geographical information system (GIS) technologies, and software. These resources can help students become familiar with environmental data and spatial analysis, although the university does not specify that every tool is used in this particular degree option.

- Scientific imaging and microscopy: Departmental research facilities include digital microscopy equipment, fluorescent microscopy, and image-analysis tools. These resources support biological research and may be relevant to students pursuing related laboratory investigations.

- Internship and fieldwork organizations: SEMO lists organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers among the organizations where environmental science students have gained experience. These are examples of opportunities, not guaranteed placements for every student.

Progression & Future Opportunities

SEMO's Environmental Science: Environmental Health BS prepares students to explore careers focused on environmental protection, public health, and the assessment of environmental hazards. By combining scientific coursework with internship or research experience, graduates can pursue entry-level roles in environmental monitoring, health and safety, laboratory research, or related public-sector and private-sector organizations. Students seeking advanced specialist positions may also choose to continue their education through graduate study.

Potential career paths include:

Environmental Health Specialist: Help identify environmental hazards and support measures to protect public health.
Environmental Scientist: Investigate environmental conditions, assess risks, and contribute to pollution prevention or environmental management.
Environmental Health and Safety Technician: Assist with workplace safety, environmental compliance, and the identification of chemical or physical hazards.
Environmental Research Assistant: Support scientific investigations involving environmental exposures, toxicology, or related public health issues.

These are potential career directions aligned with the degree's subject areas, rather than guaranteed graduate job titles.

Career development and graduate outcomes

- Career Services support: SEMO's Career Services office provides resume and cover-letter reviews, mock interviews, job-search guidance, and internship-search assistance. These services help students prepare applications and communicate their skills to employers.

- Handshake employment platform: Students can use SEMO's Handshake platform to search and apply for internships and full-time positions, register for career events, and explore on-campus interview opportunities.

- Employer networking: SEMO's Career Expos connect students and alumni with employers, recruiters, and schools seeking potential interns and employees. The university's published information for its 2026 Fall Career Expo states that more than 140 employers, recruiters, and schools attend these events.

- Industry and public-sector connections: SEMO lists the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers among organizations associated with student internship, employment, and post-baccalaureate opportunities. These connections can help students identify relevant professional pathways, but they do not guarantee employment.

- Employment and salary information: SEMO's program page reports U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics mean annual salaries of $88,640 for environmental scientists and specialists, $94,160 for epidemiologists, and $111,310 for environmental scientists and geoscientists. These are occupation-level figures, not salaries specific to SEMO graduates, entry-level positions, or guaranteed outcomes.

- Graduation outcomes: The university identifies employment and further-study opportunities across environmental agencies, research organizations, public health institutions, and other employers. Its published information does not establish a specific employment rate or median starting salary for graduates of the Environmental Health option.

- Long-term professional development: The degree's interdisciplinary foundation in environmental science, toxicology, epidemiology, and environmental assessment can support continued professional development. Students should verify any licensing, certification, or specialist qualification requirements for their intended occupation, as the official program page does not specify a particular professional accreditation for this degree.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BS, graduates may consider a master's degree in environmental science, environmental health, public health, epidemiology, toxicology, or a related discipline. Students interested in disease prevention and population health could explore further study in public health or epidemiology, while those interested in environmental assessment and pollution control could pursue advanced environmental science qualifications. Admission requirements vary by institution, and some programs may require additional prerequisite coursework or relevant experience.

For students planning a research-oriented career, graduate study can provide deeper specialist training and opportunities to develop advanced research skills. SEMO's environmental science program also identifies graduate study as a possible pathway after the bachelor's degree.