Undergraduate Degree
	BS, BA in Environmental Sciences from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minor
	Environmental Sciences
Teaching Licensure
	Yes, in Earth Science
Four-year Graduation Plan
	No
Links
	Web Site Courses General Catalog

Environmental sciences is an interdisciplinary program providing students with rigorous training in the scientific study of the environment, and promotes an understanding of the earth as a complex network of interacting organic and inorganic systems. Hands-on field experience is a crucial component of the program.

• Why Study Environmental Sciences at Iowa?
• New BA Program Information
• Course Work (BS program)
• Minor
• Honors
• Facilities and Resources
• Related Courses/Majors
• Careers
• Scholarships

Why Study Environmental Sciences at Iowa?
The program offers rigorous training in the scientific aspects of the environment, four diverse tracks, and an emphasis on field experience. It is truly interdisciplinary, with oversight by the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, and Geoscience.

Students can engage in faculty-supervised research with 43 faculty from the Departments of Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geography, and Geoscience who are affiliated with the program. They can take advantage of overlapping requirements to minor or double-major in a related field (e.g., biology, chemistry, geoscience) or to obtain the Certificate in Sustainability.

Course Work (BS program)
Students majoring in environmental sciences complete the science and mathematics foundation courses in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and statistics, plus environmental sciences foundation courses, including Introduction to Environmental Science, Earth Surface Processes, Ecology, Introduction to Applied Remote Sensing, Foundations of GIS, and Environmental Seminar.

Students then select one of four tracks—biosciences, chemical sciences, geosciences, or hydrosciences—to develop in-depth expertise in one area. Each track prepares students for different demands in the basic environmental sciences.

Environmental geosciences (33 s.h.) develops a basic understanding of geological principles and a working knowledge of basic geologic principles applied in the environmental industry; a strong foundation for graduate study in environmental geology, engineering geology, and natural hazards assessment.

Environmental hydrosciences (34 s.h.) develops an understanding of geological principles and a working knowledge of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry; prepares students for graduate study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geochemistry, aqueous chemistry, and environmental engineering.

Environmental biosciences (33 s.h.) studies biotic systems and the ability to inventory biologic resources; prepares students for graduate or professional training in disciplines such as ecology, wildlife management, and natural resource management.

Environmental chemical sciences (35 s.h.) develops an understanding of chemical principles and working knowledge of basic chemical concepts as applied to the environment; provides a foundation for advanced study in environmental chemistry.

The program requires 83 to 85 semester hours (s.h.) of environmental sciences course work.

Minor
To earn a minor in environmental science, students complete Introduction to Environmental Science, one other environmental sciences foundation course, and course work in one of the four tracks. The minor requires 16 s.h. of environmental sciences course work.

Honors
In order to graduate with honors in environmental sciences, you must be a member of the University of Iowa Honors Program.

In addition, students in environmental science must complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty sponsor and submit an honors thesis on the research, written in the format of a scientific paper. Students must complete at least 6 s.h. of honors research conducted over two or more semesters. They also present a short seminar or poster about the research at a professional meeting and/or at The University of Iowa.

Facilities and Resources
Through the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, and Geoscience, environmental sciences majors have access to a number of outstanding facilities and resources, including laboratories, computer centers, and a paleontological repository. Examples of shared facilities are the following labs: environmental, hydrogeology, geomorphic computing, morphometric, petrology, sedimentary geology, thin-section and rock preparation, and stable isotope.

State agencies affiliated with the University include the Iowa Geological Survey Bureau and the Office of the State Archaeologist. The State Historical Society of Iowa's Iowa City Center is situated on the edge of campus. Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, the field station for Iowa’s three state universities, provides many opportunities for students to take small, field-oriented classes.

Related Courses/Majors
Given the interdisciplinary nature of the Environmental Sciences Program, there are numerous related courses/majors that allow students to earn a minor or double major. They include anthropology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, geoscience, geography, physics, and psychology. The program also integrates particularly well with the Certificate in Sustainability.

The Environmental Sciences Program and the environmental studies track in the Department of Geography have similar names, but different foci and requirements. The Environmental Sciences Program focuses on the natural environment, whereas the environmental studies track in geography emphasizes human-environmental interactions..

Careers
Environmental sciences graduates can look forward to careers in conservation, environmental assessment, and hazardous waste management. They may work as inspection and compliance officers, with the National Park Service or in state parks, or in pollution control.

Those who wish to pursue a graduate degree can focus on such fields 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.

Majors in the geosciences and hydrosciences tracks can apply for the Cornelia C. Cameron Award offered by the Department of Geoscience. This award is for environmental sciences students with a minimum 3.00 GPA who make significant contributions to the department through field trips, work, research, and/or undergraduate affairs.

Majors in the biosciences track are required to take a field course at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Lakeside Lab offers merit scholarships that cover basic room and board for the term in which a four-semester-hour course is being taken. Honors scholarships are available for students taking specific courses.