environmental biology major
Environmental Biology is an exciting and growing field of study at MVNU that equips students for successful and satisfying careers in the environment. Our Christian worldview provides students with a unique approach to the diverse concerns within the environmental arena. We examine sustainability, wildlife study, conservation, and environmental education at local, state, national, and world levels to prepare students for work at home or in the mission field.
Because environmental issues transcend boundaries, we also actively collaborate with fellow organizations that share our concern for the environment including the Knox County Park District, the Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College, Heartland Outdoor School, and the Ohio State University. Students who choose the Environmental Biology major at MVNU receive in-depth training in environmental topics through classes, lab activities, field studies, and partnerships with researchers.
- Professional faculty — Professors in the Biology and Physical Sciences Department at MVNU are knowledgeable and experienced educators who actively engage with students in their studies. Faculty members also remain closely involved in their respective fields of expertise to promote awareness of new developments.
- Advising relationships — You'll begin interacting with the faculty within your chosen discipline during your first day of classes, and develop mentorship relationships with them that often continue well past graduation.
- Quality facilities — You will work in our laboratories and field stations, which complete the learning environment by training you for the professional settings in which you will work upon graduation.
- Dr. Carrie Beal, Professor of Biology and Department Chair
- Dr. Jon Bossley, Associate Professor of Biology
- Dr. Geoffrey Fuller, Professor of Biology
- Professor Chris Ingersol, Associate Professor of Biology
- Dr. Paul Madtes, Jr., Professor of Biology
Check out the catalog for a complete list of the requirements, courses, and objectives for the Environmental Biology program.
All MVNU students are invited to participate in our many other service and learning trips, including a unique opportunity to study Tropical Ecology in Belize that is offered exclusively for Biology majors.
MVNU has many endowed scholarships available for students of a wide variety of backgrounds and majors.
Environmental Biology is a diverse field that can lead to many career options spanning the alphabet from A to Z and everything in between! Students who graduate with a degree in Environmental Biology may pursue work in academia as a teacher and researcher or zoo management to work closely with animal care and training. Career options also include agriculture, aquatic studies, energy research, environmental assessment, naturalist programs, public health, and wildlife rehabilitation.
- Kendrick Flanagan, 2017, operates the nature center at Heartland Outdoor School and teaches classes in the outdoors for visiting school groups.
- Grace Hall, 2019, was accepted into Miami University’s Master of Environmental Science program for the 2019 Fall semester.
- Emily Smith, 2018, is the Education Program Coordinator at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, and helps to rehabilitate and train injured birds of prey in addition to regularly conducting educational programs for public and school groups.
- Madison Lotz, 2018, conducts mosquito monitoring to assess the potential for mosquito-borne diseases at the Richland County Health Department.