Environmental Science
Let's face it—our planet needs scientists who know how to reduce air pollution, restore wetlands, protect national parks, address climate change … the list goes on and on. Some day that person could be you, especially if you're passionate about the environment, you're excited about using science and math to solve complicated problems, and you want a job that lets you travel the world and explore the great outdoors.
What will I learn?
As an environmental science major, you'll learn how to use chemistry, calculus, statistics and other disciplines to understand and improve the environment. Typical courses and labs cover ecology, environmental engineering, wildlife management, plant biology, geographic information systems (GIS) and related topics. As you learn how to collect, analyze, interpret and share environmental data, you'll gain confidence in the tools and techniques you’ll need throughout your career.
Environmental Sustainability vs. Environmental Studies vs. Environmental Science
- Environmental Sustainability: The bachelor of arts degree (BA) is designed to incorporate a strong foundation in the social sciences and humanities with a good foundation in the natural sciences.
- Environmental Studies: The bachelor of science degree (BS) is designed to incorporate a strong foundation in the natural sciences with a good foundation in the social sciences and humanities.
- Environmental Science: The bachelor of science degree (BS) is designed to incorporate a strong foundation in biological, physical, chemical, mathematics, statistics and geospatial techniques.
What can I do with an environmental science degree?
Students graduating from this program generally seek professional positions in the areas of environmental engineering, geographic information systems, pollution control, remediation and ecological restoration, and find these opportunities in a wide range of governmental, non-profit and private organizations. This program highlights experimental learning through field-based coursework and ecology expeditions (national and international), which prepares our graduates for work as environmental consultants, government regulation enforcement, health and safety, pollution cleanup, mapping/cartography/remote sense and so much more.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance Officers | $93,680.00 | $45.04 | |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,730.00 | $48.43 | Rapid Growth |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $73,470.00 | $35.32 | Rapid Growth |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $111,670.00 | $53.69 | |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,190.00 | $61.63 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.