It hadn't been done before, but the dean was agreeable to the idea. A science journalist does not need to be an expert in any one field of science. They can draw on the knowledge of experts as each story requires. But to do so, they need to understand the basic concepts and terminology that render the experts' explanations intelligible. And they need such base knowledge in not just one field, but many.
Environmental science offers just such a broad-based foundation.
Add to that the knowledge of physiology and health from OT and the knowledge of physics, technology and industry from engineering, and I find myself with an exceptional background for the job of the science journalist.