Environmental biology explores the interactions among organisms, the environment and human activities. It is a dynamic and growing major that prepares you with the scientific background needed to understand and address the many pressing environmental concerns that exist in the modern world.
An internship is required of all environmental biology majors, and is usually served in the junior or senior year. Three credit hours of internship are required, and up to six hours can be taken. This unique opportunity allows students to obtain valuable training and "on-the-job" experience under the mentorship of established scientists and other professionals at local, state and federal government agencies and a wide diversity of environmental firms.
In addition to internships, students gain hands-on experience working out in the field in some of our courses. Also, students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of faculty field and laboratory research projects through special topics courses.
Personal attention between students and faculty provides students with great research experience, as well. We focus on each student as an individual and strive to create a strong foundation from which each graduate is able to launch satisfying careers that meet their vocational aspirations.
Dayton's Old River Park served for more than a half-century as a recreational area for NCR employees and their families, but now our students are using a portion of the 45-acre park for environmental research and education.
Ready to take the next step? Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about environmental biology at UD.
At UD, biology students study the diversity of life on earth (including plants, animals and microorganisms) and the ecological and evolutionary processes acting on populations, communities, and ecosystems through space and time. Our program emphasizes experiential learning and creates opportunities for students to get out of the classroom into nature.
This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2025-26 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations, and your personal goals and interests. Please contact your holistic advisor if you have any questions.
At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.
Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.
Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.
At the University of Dayton, applying is free and test scores are optional. When you apply, you'll automatically be considered for a merit scholarship.
Learn about our admission process, then apply using UD's application or the Common App.
Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.
To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work study are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.
Get more than your foot in the door — get ready for success. At our College of Arts and Sciences, you will have the opportunity to combine the classroom and business world together in a way that allows you to further sharpen your skills. It’s a key reason why employers love hiring our students — they can hit the ground running.
Let’s explore the possibilities. Now you know what we’re about: community, personal attention, hands-on learning, integrity and global thinking. Take the next step and connect with us today.
Our faculty and staff are here to support you throughout your environmental biology journey at UD.