Environmental Science
How natural systems work and how human activity affects them.
Environmental science studies the natural world as an interconnected system, air, water, soil, ecosystems, and how human activity affects and is affected by it. It's interdisciplinary by design, drawing on biology, chemistry, geology, and policy.
Field work is common alongside lab analysis, collecting water or soil samples, surveying ecosystems, and coursework often includes a policy or applied component, since environmental science problems usually require both scientific understanding and public or regulatory action.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- ✓Ecology
- ✓Environmental Chemistry
- ✓Earth Systems Science
- ✓Environmental Policy
- ✓GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
- ✓Statistics
- ✓Field Research Methods
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Ecology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Environmental Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Earth Systems Science
- +Free elective
- ✓Environmental Policy
- +Free elective
- ✓GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Statistics
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Field Research Methods
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Cares about environmental and sustainability issues
- ★Enjoys both fieldwork and lab-based science
- ★Comfortable connecting science with policy and public impact
- ★Interested in an interdisciplinary rather than narrowly specialized science degree
Common minors & double-major pairings
Public Policy · Chemistry · Sustainability Studies
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Environmental Engineer
Designs systems for clean water, air, and waste management.
Environmental Scientist
Studies environmental conditions and human impact on natural systems.
Wildlife Biologist
Studies animal populations, behavior, and habitats.
Forestry & Natural Resources Specialist
Manages forests and natural resources for sustainable use.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Environmental Science major?
How natural systems work and how human activity affects them.
What courses do Environmental Science majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like General Biology & Chemistry, Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Environmental Science program?
Environmental Science coursework typically builds skills like Field sampling and ecological survey methods, Environmental data analysis (including GIS), Understanding environmental policy and regulation, Interdisciplinary scientific reasoning.
Is Environmental Science a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Cares about environmental and sustainability issues" or "Enjoys both fieldwork and lab-based science" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Environmental Science degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Environmental Engineer, Environmental Scientist, Wildlife Biologist. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Environmental Science?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Public Policy, Chemistry, Sustainability Studies.
How is Environmental Science different from Biology?
They're related but distinct. Environmental Science: How natural systems work and how human activity affects them. Biology: The broad study of living things, from cells to ecosystems. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Environmental Science degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
From our guides
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/environmental-science