Recognizing that our finite planet provides all of the life support systems on which we and all other living organisms depend, environmental scientists are trained to understand the physical, chemical, and biological processes of the Earth, their effects on living organisms, and to find solutions for meeting the needs of people today without compromising future generations. No matter your interests in the environment—global climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental toxicology, air and water quality, environmental health, sustainability, or environmental policy—the UMass environmental science program provides you with a rigorous, multidisciplinary science education to understand earth and ecosystem processes and environmental sustainability. Students graduate from this program with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.
Interested in more information about the environmental science major or minor? Click here for more information.
What You'll Learn
Our environmental science program provides students with the knowledge and professional training to address the wide variety of complex environmental issues facing our world today. Graduates of the program will:
- Collect and analyze air, water, and soil samples.
- Develop monitoring plans for environmental contaminants.
- Conduct field surveys.
- Analyze data and prepare technical reports and presentations.
- Learn techniques for restoring or remediating contaminated ecosystems.
- Develop effective environmental policies and management plans.
- Prepare you to pursue graduate studies.
Careers
There are many opportunities for an exciting career in environmental science across state and federal environmental agencies, private industries, and environmental consulting firms, such as:
- Environmental analyst
- Environmental health
- Environmental policy and law
- Environmental toxicologist
- Soil scientist
- Wetland scientist
- Environmental outdoor or science educator
Resources