Food and water security for all North Americans depends on the Great Lakes, and environmental scientists play a critical role in their management and sustainability. Here, at the heart of the Great Lakes, we provide our students with comprehensive and balanced training in the physical and living environment – atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere. Through a systems-based approach, you will learn and apply a diversity of scientific tools and skills to understand the structure, function and health of this globally important freshwater resource. Our students have the skills employers are looking for!

  • Understand and analyze the impact of natural and human influences on economic, political, cultural, and environmental systems
  • Discuss major topics in environmental science and studies, including climate change, population trends and globalization, resource management, and environmental assessment and monitoring
  • Observe and assess changes in various environments and interpret their impact on biogeochemical systems
  • Operate advanced scientific laboratory equipment and field instruments
  • Acquire, organize, and interpret accurate data sets; perform statistical analyses
  • Propose optimal land use and resource allocation for conservation and sustainability
  • Visualize and model complex environmental datasets using geospatial technologies