Environmental Science
Study the natural world and how humans impact it
What You'll Study
Environmental Science is the scientific study of the environment. Unlike Environmental Engineering (which builds solutions), Science focuses on observing, measuring, and understanding the problems in nature (pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss).
- Ecology
- Geology / Earth Science
- Atmospheric Science
- Environmental Policy
- Oceanography
- Climate Change Science
- GIS (Mapping)
- Conservation Biology
Example Classes
How to Know If You'll Like It
You'll probably enjoy this if...
- ✓You love the outdoors and nature
- ✓You are passionate about sustainability
- ✓You like gathering data in the field
- ✓You want to understand the science of climate change
- ✓You are interested in policy and law too
- ✓You want a broad science degree
You might not enjoy this if...
- ✕You hate bugs/dirt/weather
- ✕You want a very high starting salary (lower than engineering)
- ✕You dislike politics (enviro sci is often political)
- ✕You want to build machines (Engineering)
Self-Check Quiz
Answer these questions honestly to see if this major might be a good fit for you.
Do you recycle religously?
Career Outcomes
Featured In-Demand Careers
Environmental Engineer
Develop solutions to environmental problems including pollution control, waste management, and sustainability.
Data Scientist
Analyze complex data sets to derive insights that drive business decisions. Combine statistics, programming, and domain expertise.
Civil Engineer
Design, build, and maintain infrastructure including roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems.
Other Common Career Paths
- •Environmental Consultant
- •Conservation Scientist
- •Park Ranger
- •Sustainability Officer
Industries
Try It First
Test if you like this field before committing to a major:
Test your tap water with a kit from a hardware store.
Create a map of trees in your neighborhood using Google Earth or GIS.
Write a report on a local environmental issue (e.g., river pollution) proposed solutions.
Related Majors
Frequently Asked Questions
Sci = Understanding/Measuring. Eng = Designing Solutions. Sci is less math-heavy.
Yes, growing demand in consulting and government compliance.
No, it is a rigorous science involving chemistry, physics, and biology.
Yes, usually a lot.
You can contribute the data needed to save it.
Ready to Explore This Major?
Get personalized guidance on whether Environmental Science is right for you and how to build a competitive profile.