About the Environmental Science Program

Cross Boundaries

Branch out. Focus on a broad range of fields to prepare for your career.

Environmental science is no walk in the park. It's grounded in the natural sciences and mathematics. There’s also a social sciences component, so you can gain an understanding of economic and policy issues – after all, important change often happens at the government level. To prepare for a career in environmental science, only half of your learning will take place in class. You’ll explore outdoors and see the world with other opportunities like internships, research and travel courses.

See Course Catalog

Group of students work together to sprinkle field with seeds

Broaden the Field

From the Cofrin Arboretum to the Richter Natural History Museum, our facilities give you access to our natural resources.

Explore Facilities

Students faculty and staff perform a controlled prairie burn

Beyond the Classroom

Developing your career in college isn’t just about attending class – it’s about getting experience in the field to stand out to future employers.

Find an Internship

Students take class outdoors and explore nature's biodiversity

COmplement Your Major

Many environmental science students bolster their education with a double major or minor. The most common include public administration, political science, biology and urban studies.

Explore our Programs

Choose Your Emphasis

Environmental science majors must choose between two emphases:

General Emphasis, which gives you the option of getting into the field right after graduation or pursuing graduate study somewhere else.
Environmental Science (Accelerated), which is integrated with our Environmental Planning and Policy graduate program and gets you graduate credits during your undergraduate study.

You may also choose to minor in environmental science to strengthen your major and increase your job opportunities after graduation.

Have an
impact

“I’ve always had an acuity toward science and math, but I enjoy being outdoors. I also enjoy solving problems, like the impact of climate change. So when it came to choosing environmental science as a major, I thought ‘I can get involved in this.’ All my professors were extremely knowledgeable and attentive. They would go the extra mile to help.”

Tanner Nate
Environmental Science Major

Get in Touch

Having trouble in your classes? Trying to figure out which emphasis you should choose? Want to know more about the major? We can get you back on track!