We have one of the oldest Environmental Science degree programs in the U.S. Our location is obviously well suited for environmental studies. Not only are we located within Daniel Boone National Forest, we have State and National Forest Service offices, the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, the US Army Corp. of Engineer’s Cave Run Lake, and our own wetland teaching/research area.

Contemporary regional problems in natural resources are holistic: ecological, economical, sociological, technological, and political. It is important to understand the processes and principles of the environment to deal with these issues. Scientists and professionals are needed who, after achieving a solid disciplinary education in science-related fields as undergraduates, have learned integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to deal with these problems. The Environmental Science program is designed to cut across traditional discipline boundaries to provide an understanding the natural resource science and management. The program philosophy emphasizes a systematic and interdisciplinary approach to natural resource issues and the effective communication of knowledge and information. The degrees prepare students for work in public service, government, education, or nonprofit organizations.

There is a need in the region for broadly-trained scientists with expertise in field biology and environmental assessment and analysis. Much of Appalachia has been, or is being, polluted by various sources, and extraction of natural resources is a major industry in the region. The Environmental Science Program offers a B.S. degree in Environmental Science, and M.S. degree in Biology, which trains professionals to manage, monitor, and assess those resources.

The Environmental Science Program has a greater than average number of transfer students. Agreements have been reached with Maysville Community College and Hocking Technical College to facilitate transfers from their 2-yr. Environmental Science programs. There are numerous collaborations between faculty/students and local government agencies (e.g. US Forest Service, health departments, regional Natural Resource Conservation Service, regional water treatment and sewage treatment plants).

The environmental lab, plant collections, and animal collections are constantly under expansion and are accessible for student use.

The faculty in the program have a strong background in environmental issues, and are connected to state and local agencies. These working relationships help us prepare students for the current job market. All the faculty see instruction as their primary mission, and the quantitative and qualitative measures of instruction rate us very high. Students complete an academically rigorous program, and indicate that they are well prepared. Our faculty includes outstanding field taxonomists,experts in environmental assessments and geographic information. All the faculty are very student oriented, and interact with students both inside and outside the classroom. The student Environmental Science Club, which is directed by faculty, is renown on campus for its activities.

Our laboratory facilities for chemical analysis of water are excellent. Our ecology and animal collection labs are well equipped with the latest technology. We have greenhouse, herbarium, fish collection, bird and mammal collection, aquatic insect collection, natural history museum, aquatic toxicology lab, ecology lab, and water testing lab. We constantly upgrade our technology to provide students with the best of what is available.