<p>I am a second year and am trying to decide on my major. I am interested in biology/ecology/conservation so I am debating on double majoring in Bio and Environmental Sciences or just going for a BS in Biology since I can take some environmental science classes for my upper-level requirements. What do you think will look better for future employers or possibly graduate school?</p>
<p>The BS in bio would look better for both grad schools and future employers. Also, a BS in Bio is more adaptable/optimal for your goals imo. Here is my reasoning…</p>
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<li><p>A BS in Bio shows you are able to study a subject far more indepth than a BA does. </p></li>
<li><p>The BS actually gives you a better general Scinece knowledge base/is more optimal for academic planning. If you double with a BA in Envi Sci and a BA in Bio, you will have to take all the Envi Sci core classes (Geology, Hydrology, Ecology and Atmosphere&Weather), not to mention all the annoying 1 credit envi sci labs which are the biggest time sinks ever. You would also need a “general science” credit, but for the BA that is completed by just taking two semesters w/lab of either chem, bio, and physics, which you would already have done. If you stick to a BS in Bio you still get a good ground knowledge in general science, if not better. I believe you need up through o-chem for chem (encouraged to take the Bio department’s biochem also), 2 semesters of math/stat and a physics class. This route also saves you from “wasting time” in classes you may not want to take like geo, hydro and atmo&weather. </p></li>
<li><p>A B.S. in bio actually prepares you for grad school in bio/a career in bio. With a B.S. you know much more than B.A. does. If you were either an admission officer to a graduate level bio department or an employer, who would you hire? A B.A. or a B.S.? In all honesty, the B.A. for bio is an all or nothing degree obtained by pre-meds in the sense that the B.A. looks good for med school, yet if they don’t get in they are screwed. The B.S. gives you options on the other hand.</p></li>
<li><p>The single B.S. will probably come out to be a tad easier in the long run than the double major when all is said and done. In today’s job market and admissions games, maintaining a high GPA is a must. </p></li>
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<p>Hope this helps.</p>