Environmental Science vs Environmental Studies vs Environmental Biology – Understanding the Differences with Dr. Nate Bosch

A faculty blog by Dr. Nate Bosch

Environmental science is like the field of ecology. Ecology looks at how organisms interact with the physical environment and each other, and so does environmental science – except environmental science puts a wrinkle in it. Environmental science asks, How do we as people then help or harm those ecological systems? Therefore, it brings politics, society, and the economy into ecology and looks at how those functions influence how the natural environment works.

But when it comes to your options of study within the field of environmental science, you’ve got some options. What is the difference between environmental science vs environmental studies vs environmental biology?

Let’s dive into these three common majors to understand what makes them unique.

Environmental Science

Environmental science is the most popular of the three. It brings in the ecological foundation of learning how to understand organisms, but it also seeks to answer the questions: How do we care for God’s creation? How do we care for those interactions between organisms? And how do we create relationships through environmental science? 

God created His world with all of these relationships in place, and we as environmental scientists are helping to restore some of those relationships. I just love the way God created in an interrelated way: people to the Creator, people to nature, and nonhuman parts of Creation with each other. We, as people, are the caretakers of His Creation. And so we get to join God in that relational effort, which makes it a really compelling field to get into and a really rewarding field once you’re in it. 

Environmental science helps students move into a hands-on role in restoring relationships. So they understand the technical science aspects of the environment, but they also understand some of the social aspects of how to implement change. Many environmental science majors go on to work for a state agency, local municipality, or environmental consulting company.

Environmental Biology

Environmental biology is a more technical degree that is ideal for students who are planning to attend graduate school. This major requires some of the more foundational math-oriented classes like physics, calculus, and even organic chemistry. These requirements are intentionally designed to prepare students for graduate level coursework and to ensure that they have a technical understanding of the environment.   

Those who study environmental biology usually go on to engage in technical research for government entities, universities, or even businesses. 

Environmental Studies

If environmental biology sits on one side of the spectrum, then environmental studies sits on the other end. This degree focuses less on the technical aspects of the science and focuses more on the relationship aspects. This includes areas of politics, sociology, psychology, and business. Therefore, environmental studies programs often include interdisciplinary coursework — maybe a few classes from the business department, a class in the behavioral sciences, and a course or two in the humanities. By adding in these types of courses, we also pull out some of the more technical sciences mentioned above. 

Students who pursue environmental studies usually feel a pull toward advocacy and nonprofit work. They want to use their knowledge and passion to influence people in how they think and act when it comes to the environment.

Finding the Right Fit for You

At Grace College, we offer all three degrees in order to prepare each of our students for the unique purpose God has given them to play a role in stewarding His Creation. We’ve seen our graduates go on to cover all areas of the spectrum of environmental science — from more technical, research-based roles to more people-focused careers. While there are many differences between environmental science vs environmental studies vs environmental biology, we see them all as a pathway for our students to lean into their passions. 

Learn more about our environmental science program, and find out how you can get hands-on experience right here at Grace through our Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams. 

Dr. Nate Bosch serves as the dean of the School of Science and Engineering, professor of environmental science, and director of the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College. He received his Ph.D. in 2007 from the University of Michigan in the field of limnology, the study of freshwater lakes and streams. He has more than 20 peer-reviewed publications spanning research in the Great Lakes to smaller inland lakes and streams.