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Environmental sciences is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on scientific study of the environment and promotes understanding of the earth as a complex network of interacting organic and inorganic systems.
Why
Study Environmental Sciences at Iowa?
Iowa’s Environmental Sciences Program offers rigorous training and a comprehensive approach, with four diverse environmental tracks: biosciences, chemical sciences, geosciences, and hydrosciences. It also emphasizes field experience.
The major is truly interdisciplinary. You’ll study and do supervised research with faculty members from the program’s four sponsoring departments—biology, chemistry, geography, and geoscience—as well as participating faculty from anthropology, chemical and biochemical engineering, and civil and environmental engineering.
Some of your degree requirements will overlap with those for degrees in related fields, so you may decide to earn a second major or a minor outside of environmental sciences. Or you might complete one of the University’s interdisciplinary certificate programs.
Course Work
Students majoring in environmental sciences earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Both degrees require similar science and mathematics foundation courses and environmental sciences foundation courses, but the BS degree requires more intensive study in one of the major's four tracks.
The Environmental
Biosciences Track studies biotic systems and the ability to inventory biologic resources. It prepares students for graduate or professional training in disciplines such as ecology, wildlife management, and natural resource management.
The Environmental
Chemical Sciences Track helps students develop an understanding of chemical principles and a working knowledge of basic chemical concepts as applied to the environment. It provides a foundation for advanced study in environmental chemistry.
The Environmental
Geosciences Track provides a basic understanding of geological principles and a working knowledge of basic geologic principles applied in the environmental industry. It provides a strong foundation for graduate study in environmental geology, engineering geology, and natural hazards assessment.
The Environmental
Hydrosciences Track helps students acquire an understanding of geological principles and a working knowledge of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. It prepares students for graduate study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geochemistry, aqueous chemistry, and environmental engineering.
Bachelor of Arts
The BA requires a minimum of 120 semester hours (s.h.), including 61–67 s.h. for the major in environmental sciences. You’ll complete the following courses for the major.
- Science and mathematics foundation—eight courses in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, calculus, and statistics
- Environmental sciences foundation—seven courses in environmental sciences, earth surface processes, ecology, GIS (geographic information systems) or remote sensing, and environmental issues
- Environmental sciences field study—one course
- Environmental sciences tracks—three courses, including one from each of three of the tracks
Bachelor of Science
The BS requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 80–85 s.h. for the major in environmental sciences. You’ll complete the following courses for the major.
- Science and mathematics foundation—eight courses in biology, chemistry, geology, calculus, and statistics
- Environmental sciences foundation—six courses in environmental sciences, earth surface processes, ecology, GIS (geographic information systems), and remote sensing
- One environmental sciences track—a concentration of courses, including field study (10–12 courses, depending on your choice of track)
For More Details
See Environmental Sciences in the UI General Catalog to learn more about the major and for information about graduating with honors or earning a minor in environmental sciences.
Facilities
and Resources
The Environmental Science Program’s sponsoring departments offer students access to a number of outstanding facilities, including laboratories, computer centers, and a paleontological repository. Shared facilities include environmental, hydrogeology, geomorphic computing, morphometric, petrology, sedimentary geology, thin-section and rock preparation, and stable isotope laboratories.
State agencies affiliated with the University include the Iowa Geological Survey Bureau and the Office of the State Archaeologist. The State Historical Society has an office next to campus. Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, the field station for Iowa’s three state universities, provides opportunities for students to take small, field-oriented classes.
Related
Programs and Courses
The University offers numerous programs and courses related to environmental sciences. Because your environmental sciences major is so strongly interdisciplinary, you’ll find that many of your courses overlap with requirements for other programs, offering you the opportunity to earn a second major or a minor in other disciplines, such as anthropology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, geoscience, geography, physics, and psychology. The major also pairs well with the Certificate in Sustainability.
The Department of Geography offers an environmental studies track that emphasizes human-environmental interactions, in contrast to the Environmental Sciences Program’s focus on the natural environment.
Careers
As an environmental sciences graduate, you’ll be able to look forward to a career in an area such as conservation, environmental assessment, and hazardous waste management. You might work as an inspection and compliance officer with the National Park Service, in a state park, or in a pollution control agency.
The major also prepares you for graduate study in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, ecosystem sciences, environmental engineering, environmental law, environmental science, environmental sustainability, geoscience, hydrologic sciences, natural resource management, remote sensing and landscape modeling, renewable energy, and urban and regional planning.
Scholarships
Consult multiple sources for scholarship information, including the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and departmental web sites.
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