Environmental science is the study of natural and modified environments and their interactions with biological (including human) systems. It is a multifaceted field that combines aspects of chemistry, biology, ecology, physics, statistics, and human behavior. The environmental science and ecology major at WSU provides a comprehensive understanding of environmental science in an ecological context. The program emphasizes strong scientific knowledge and hands-on experience. Students learn to assess beneficial and disruptive impacts on ecological systems and get hands-on experience in the methods used to analyze these complex systems.

Careers for environmental science graduates include: hazardous materials manager, spatial data analyst, fishery manager, city or regional planner, oceanographer, water resources manager, parks and recreation planner, earth science editor and writer, forester, ground water advisor, marine conservation biologist, marine fish conservationist, water pollution control technician, watershed specialist, health advocate, soil consultant, weather forecaster, ecological restoration consultant, wetland scientist, and sustainable business consultant.