The articulation agreement with BSU offers Inver Hills students the opportunity to complete an A.S. degree with courses and credits that transfer to an undergraduate program in the Minnesota State university’s Center for Sustainability Studies. BSU Environmental Studies students enhance a firm foundation in environmental science while acquiring a background in biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics, physics, geology, and hydrology.
Kristin Digiulio, MPP, serves as the Inver Hills biology department chair; Kristin is also a member of the biology faculty. She reported that her colleagues are thrilled about the Bemidji State University partnership, which represents a fantastic opportunity for Inver Hills students.
“BSU is so respected for their expertise and research in wildlife, fisheries, aquatic systems, and other natural resource fields,” Kristin said. “Transferring to Bemidji gives our students the chance to work in the field and in the lab with faculty doing cutting-edge science. I am sure this is just the beginning of a long and rewarding collaboration.”
More about Environmental Science at Inver Hills…
Housed primarily within the Biology department, our Environmental Science curriculum is taught by faculty with wide-ranging expertise and experience.
“Benefiting from small classes and hands-on labs, you will work closely with accomplished instructors with proficiency in the relevant science as well as a commitment to your success both academically and professionally,” Kristin Digiulio said. “Our new transfer agreement with BSU gives our graduates an opportunity to continue pursuing a career in the life sciences.”
An integrated, interdisciplinary understanding of environmental systems and human impacts
A science-based approach to addressing issues that affect human, animal, and ecosystem health
Hands-on knowledge of methods that can prevent and solve environmental problems
Bemidji State University faculty perspectives
SOURCE: Bemidji State University
“The Environmental Studies faculty at BSU are very excited about the prospects the new articulation agreement between IHCC make possible. Transfer students do very well in our program and, after graduating from BSU, transfer students have gone on work at state agencies like the MPCA and graduate programs such as the University of Alaska Fairbanks. You will find your path in Environmental Studies at BSU.
“The Environmental Studies faculty at BSU look forward to working with transfer students from IHCC to build the sustainable future we all want to live in. Through the broad spectrum of Environmental Studies courses offered at BSU, you will find your environmental studies career path. We are excited to work with you to ensure your credits transfer, and we will work with you to find the career path that most interests you.”
Carl Isaacson, PhD Associate Professor Environmental Studies Bemidji State University
SOURCE: Bemidji State University
“We are very excited to be working hand in hand with IHCC to help educate the next generation of environmental stewards. Now more than ever, we need engaged individuals to help protect our environment.
“This agreement creates a clear pathway for students hoping to complete a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Environmental Science students will be able to spend two years at IHCC and then transfer to Bemidji State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in just two years.
“Transferring from a Minnesota State college to a Minnesota State university like Bemidji State University is one of your most efficient routes to a bachelor’s degree. Between the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) and this new agreement, all of your credits will transfer to BSU.
“Students in Environmental Science generally love the outdoors. Those transferring to BSU will find a campus located right on the shores of Lake Bemidji and surrounded by northern Minnesota forests. Environmental Studies students learn in the best classroom settings and labs available, whether they are on campus, visiting BSU’s own Hobson Forest, or spending time in BSU’s Hard Water Lab on the frozen surface of Lake Bemidji, students will find an engaging classroom environment.”
Daniel Voss, MS Transfer Partnership Coordinator
Center for Extended Learning Senior Adjunct Faculty Bemidji State University
SOURCE: Bemidji State University
Why study Environmental Science at Inver Hills?
Explore life for a living.
Encompassing a massive array of disciplines both basic and applied, the life sciences can be defined as the study of life. Career paths in the life sciences include biochemist, microbiologist, industrial pharmacist, environmental scientist, wildlife biologist, and food scientist for starters.
Gain hands-on, real-world research experience.
We offer myriad opportunities for field and lab work. Our faculty supervise student research projects both on and off campus. We have active scientific studies on our own campus, including environmental monitoring and restoration programs in our 40-acre natural area.
It’s not just an education, it’s an adventure.
We partner with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other organizations to provide research and learning opportunities in state parks and other locations. We offer trips to Malaysia and Puerto Rico where you can get the chance to protect coral reefs and collect data for international university studies.
Find your perfect environment on campus.
As an environmental science student, you’ll get to collaborate with fellow students, faculty, and staff on projects designed to give Inver Hills a sustainable campus. Potential projects involve the Inver Hills Community Garden and Orchard and proposed Unity Trail. Inver Hills was the first community college in Minnesota certified as a Bee Campus USA.
Protect our one and only planet.
Environmental science illuminates the best ways to conserve the Earth’s resources and ecosystems. Human overpopulation and consumption threaten not only our own survival, but also the lives of the estimated 8.7 million animal and plant species sharing our fragile globe.
Solve the toughest problems of our times.
Studying environmental science gives you the tools to face down BIG challenges. Take your pick from desertification, deforestation, pollution, waste disposal, endangered species, climate change, overdevelopment, water scarcity, and so on. The list isn’t getting any shorter.
Turn your passion for the wonders of life into a baccalaureate degree.
Completing your A.S. in Environmental Science equips you with courses and credits that transfer to a four-year program in the same discipline or a related life science major such as wildlife management, ecology, plant and microbial biology, genetics, cell biology, and more.
Environmental Science projects at Inver Hills gallery
Career opportunities
“The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for.” — Earnest Hemingway
Delving into the life sciences gives you dynamic access to numerous career field options, including biology, botany, zoology, medicine, biotechnology, ecology, genetic engineering, and more. If you’re passionate about learning everything you can about life, Environmental Science at Inver Hills is your portal to success.
Environmental science marshals the amassed knowledge and experience of multiple fields and disciplines, including ecology, quantum biology, zoology, oceanography, atmospheric science, soil science, geology, bacteriology, biophysics, neuroscience, and, yes, you can keep going.
As an environmental scientist, you’ll investigate natural and human-made processes to find out how and why those processes interact to influence and oftentimes harm Earth’s complex biomes.
Highly transferable environmental science skills
Understanding the scientific method
Setting up experiments
Using scientific equipment
Applying laboratory techniques and procedures
Gathering, organizing, and analyzing data
Environmental science-related occupations in detail
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Microbiologists
Biological Technicians
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Medical Scientists
Biomedical Engineers
Agricultural and Food Scientists
Conservation Scientists and Foresters Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Research ways to remove hazards that affect people’s health or the environment.
WAGE
This is a very high-wage career that pays well above the statewide median of $23.00/hour
Minnesota
Median: $37.98/hour
High: $45.62/hour
Seven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $39.48/hour
High: $47.41/hour
OUTLOOK
In Minnesota, there are 1,740 workers employed in this small career, which is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. Growth rate in the Minnesota is 11.5 percent.
There will be a need for about 2,351 new Environmental Scientists to meet market demand between 2018–2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
