Majors

Our majors and minors prepare students for careers in every facet of the food industry from production to consumption, careers in business and public service serving families and consumers, and careers that advance environmental sustainability. Our majors help students engage the issues that shape the complex, inter-connected world of the 21st century, from sustainable food systems to obesity, from water policy to energy economics, and from the far-reaching impacts of climate change to the linkages between the human genome, diet, and disease.

Graduation from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences requires the successful completion of one of the curricula (major programs of study) listed below.

Explore Majors

1. Agriculture and Food Systems (B.S.)

   The agriculture and food systems (A&FS) major is directed at students who are interested in an entrepreneurial and innovative education in the agricultural sciences. Students following the AF&S major receive training in agriculture that spans the range from field to plate. The A&FS major targets students who seek careers in agribusiness, government service, and agricultural education and extension, as well as those preparing to be owner/operators of farming enterprises.

2. Animal Science (B.S.)

   The animal science major provides training and career development for students having an interest in animal biology or related fields including veterinary medicine, biomedical research, laboratory animal care, horse management, agribusiness, and livestock production and management. The biological sciences form a basis for the study and management of animals. Options are offered in pre-veterinary medicine/research, laboratory animal science, equine science, production animal science, and companion animal science.

3. Biochemistry (B.S.)

   The biochemistry major provides students with an integrated education in biochemistry that brings together the basics of biochemistry and its application to biological systems. Students will apply their basic understanding of biochemistry to a specific area of interest, ranging from toxicology /pharmacology, to food and nutritional sciences, microbiology, animal science, and plant biology.

4. Bioenvironmental Engineering (B.S./B.S.)

   The bioenvironmental engineering major provides students with a broad and thorough education in bioenvironmental engineering fundamentals, applications, and design so as to prepare graduates for the practice of bioenvironmental engineering at the professional level with confidence and skills necessary to meet the technical and social challenges of the future and for continuing their studies at the graduate level.

5. Biological Sciences (B.A.)

   Students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) may choose the major in biological sciences, which is offered by the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). Completion of the major prepares students for graduate study; for careers in government, industry, or secondary school teaching; and also satisfies the entrance requirements for medical and dental schools.

6. Biotechnology (B.S.)

   Rutgers' biotechnology major is innovative, exciting, and challenging. Many of our faculty members have received awards for excellence in teaching, academic advising, and research. All students engage in research prior to graduation, most often at Rutgers or through collaborative programs with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey but also through placements in neighboring pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Opportunities for biotech internships are also available through the Student to Professional Internship Network (SPIN) program at the School of Environment al and Biological Sciences.

7. Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources (B.S.)

   The ecology, evolution, and natural resources major provides students a means to understand how natural living systems function and evolve and how they can be managed to conserve biodiversity while providing benefits to people. Students may pursue course work that prepares them for traditional careers in resource management or they may take a broader array of courses that meets interests related to the conservation of natural resources and the ecology and evolution of natural systems.

8. Entomology (B.S.)

   The entomology major is directed at students who are interested in insects and related arthropods. Students can receive training in a variety of subject areas including agricultural, urban, and forensic entomology. The entomology major targets students that seek careers in agribusiness, government service, agricultural education and extension, and public health or are preparing to be owner/operators of a pest management enterprise.

9. Environmental and Business Economics (B.S.)

   The major in environmental and business economics is a program of study for students interested in careers in business and management. Students learn to think strategically about the business environment within which firms, government agencies and non-governmental organizations operate and devise appropriate responses to gain a strategic advantage within such an environment.

10. Environmental Planning and Design (B.S.)

    This major provides a broad educational experience emphasizing an understanding of planning and design as they relate to the physical and cultural environments and the management of those environments. Particular attention is given to the interactions between natural and social systems. The curriculum includes four options: environmental geomatics, environmental planning, landscape architecture, and landscape industry.

11. Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior (B.S.)

    The environmental policy, institutions and behavior (EPIB) major examines the human dimensions of environmental problems. It addresses such issues as how human actions affect the environment; how societies adapt to changes in natural resource availability; and how individuals, nations, and international agencies respond to environmental hazards.

12. Environmental Sciences (B.S.)

    Environmental sciences is the interdisciplinary study of natural processes and human impacts in the atmosphere, aquatic systems, and soils. The course of study is built on a foundation of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.

13. Exercise Science (B.S.)

    Offered in cooperation with the Department of Kinesiology and Health at the School of Arts and Sciences, this program offers options in Applied Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, and Sport Management.

14. Food Science (B.S.)

    Many students are unaware of this exciting field of study. Yet, rewarding careers await graduates who are well-grounded in the basic sciences, and wish to specialize in food systems. Integration of these scientific disciplines is used in the development of methods for the processing and fabrication of new food products. Improvement of food quality (safety, flavor, color, texture, and nutritional value) are major objectives of the food scientist.

15. Landscape Architecture (B.S.)

    The landscape architecture program offers a four-year undergraduate professional design curriculum that encompasses the breadth of the discipline and a strong foundation for professional practice. Emphasis is on creative environmental design using social and environmental information. Issues addressed by landscape architects range from the design of parks, urban spaces, housing sites, and gardens to the planning, design, and management of entire regions. This professional program is nationally accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects.

16. Marine Sciences (B.S.)

    Marine science is the study of the marine environment and its interactions with the earth, the biosphere, and the atmosphere. It is therefore an interdisciplinary science requiring a knowledge of the principles of physics, geology and geophysics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology. A major in marine sciences provides students with a broad curriculum in the sciences, which demonstrates how the different disciplines can be brought to bear on understanding marine processes and managing ocean resources wisely.

17. Meteorology (B.S.)

    Meteorology is the study of weather and climate, of the characteristics, structure, and processes of the atmosphere. Students learn how to forecast the weather and how to understand climate change. The emphasis of the Bachelor of Science degree program is on developing a broad understanding of the fundamental physical and dynamic processes governing the motions and behavior of the atmosphere, and its interactions with the underlying land and ocean surfaces.

18. Microbiology (B.S.)

    The micriobiology major examines the diverse roles of microorganisms and covers the fundamentals of microbial diversity, physiology and genetics. The focus is on microorganisms, microbial processes in natural and managed environments and their effects on human, animal, plant and environmental health. The curriculum provides students with a fundamental understanding of the various applications of microbes in biotechnology, the food industry, agriculture, and medicine. The curriculum examines the nature and activity of microbial populations in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the interactions within microbial communities, and biogeochemical cycles and energy flows.

19. Nutritional Sciences (B.S.)

    Through completion of the program in nutritional sciences, graduates will be prepared for supervised practice in dietetics, graduate school, or employment by focusing upon the biological, social science and community principles of food and nutrition coursework.

20. Plant Biology (B.S.)

    The plant biology program prepares students for careers or further study in areas related to food, fiber, turfgrass, ornamental plant production, pest management, plant breeding, plant pathology, or plant science education.

21. Public Health (B.S.)

    Students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) may choose the major in public health, which is offered by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. This major leads to a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree issued by both SEBS and the Bloustein School. The public health major prepares students for graduate education in public health and for entry-level positions in a broad spectrum of private and public health organizations. Students in the program receive a conceptual understanding of interrelated health, environmental, economic, educational, and social welfare issues.

Any student in the school who decides to double-major may choose the second major from those offered by other faculties or schools at Rutgers University; however, only one bachelor's degree is conferred upon graduation. Students must receive departmental approval for non-SEBS majors. Students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences may also minor in programs offered by other faculties and schools. They may also enroll in individual courses offered by other faculties and schools of the university.

Any potential student who does not wish to major in a curriculum that is on the list above should apply directly to the school at Rutgers that offers the desired major. Any student already enrolled in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, but who no longer wishes to major in a curriculum on the list above should consult with one of the school's deans in the Office of Academic Program in Martin Hall about initiating an application for a school-to-school transfer within Rutgers.