Introduction to Environmental Science
This course covers the basic principles of environmental science, including ecosystems, biodiversity, and the human impact on the environment.
Difficulty
Moderately challenging
Early data puts Environmental Science at 3.3/5 for difficulty from 4 ratings. More responses will make this picture clearer.
Average difficultyBased on 4 students across 2 schools.View review makeupEarly data
3.3/ 5
Share of students at each rating
Class-year breakdown needs more responses.It appears after at least two class years have 5 difficulty ratings each.
What makes this major demanding?
Worth it?
75% would recommend it
Based on 4 reviews across 2 schools
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Curriculum and careers
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that combines physical, biological, and information sciences to study the environment and find solutions to environmental problems. Students learn about ecology, sustainability, and how human activities impact the natural world.
Core course themes
Ecology
Students explore the relationships between organisms and their environments, focusing on ecosystems, population dynamics, and conservation biology.
Environmental Chemistry
This course examines the chemical processes occurring in the environment, including pollution, toxicology, and the chemical cycles of ecosystems.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Learn how to use GIS technology to collect, analyze, and interpret geographic data to solve environmental issues.
Environmental Policy and Management
Focuses on the development and implementation of policies aimed at protecting the environment and achieving sustainability.
Climate Change Science
Explores the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts, and mitigation strategies.
Common roles
- Environmental Scientist
- Conservation Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Specialist
- GIS Analyst
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Environmental Science by school
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Community
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Student reviews
PositiveCourses & teaching
Great, intimate major that’s underrated. I’m using it as a major for premed. It’s longer than most majors though because they require you to do a concentration which is basically like adding another minor. Professors are very chill and don’t like to be very intense in terms of grades bur you can tell that they’re passionate about what they do.
Oct 2025
PositiveCourses & teaching
Environmental Science is a major that has multiple concentrations to choose from so depending on what you are interested in, you can choose different classes to take. Upper-division classes also have a lot of variety where you can cater your courses and workload to your preferences. This makes this major something that can suit a lot of different people. This was definitely true for me because I care a lot more about the biology and conservation parts of Environmental Science compared to say Environmental Engineering or Health, and I can cater my classes to that interest.
Mar 2026
PositiveCourses & teaching
It is a very cross-disciplinary major, including combinations of pure science and social science. The concepts are not hard, and it builds a very general foundation for many aspects of study.
Oct 2025
CriticalCareers & next steps
I think it is fun in theory but the career prospects are not great. I would prefer if it was more business based.
Oct 2025
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