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California State University, Chico
College of Natural Sciences

Environmental Science BS

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Take on the complex challenges facing the environment today and help make a difference. In our program, you will learn about the environment that surrounds us, how people are affecting the environment, and how we can protect it.

Passionate faculty will teach you about fundamental environmental processes, how to collect data in the field, how to interpret data, and how to communicate your findings to others. Fieldwork will allow you to explore the workings of the world, how it was formed, and how it has changed. Upon graduation, you will be prepared for a wide variety of jobs, from managing air quality to protecting water resources.

A student holding a lighted object in a lab setting

Immersive Learning Environment

We combine theory and practice with faculty who are committed to teaching and rich research opportunities. You will learn the fundamentals of data collection and interpretation, grow your oral and written communication skills, and take courses in chemistry, atmospheric science, physics, pollution science, and more.

Unearth Your Passions

As a student in the BS program, you’ll choose one of four options that will prepare you for a career or graduate school.

  • Four smiling students looking toward the ground with one holding a clipboard

    Applied Ecology

    Apply the science of ecology to real-world questions and problems with the goal of providing recommendations on resource management. We ask questions like: How will climate change and drought impact vegetation communities? How does wildfire affect the growth and reproduction of vegetation communities?

  • test being conducted in a lab with pipet

    Atmosphere and Climate

    The atmosphere is one of the most significant factors influencing the environment. The weather controls how water evaporates, how greenhouse gases move, and how pollutants spread. The Earth's rotation and the location of bodies of water and landforms also have a profound impact.

  • Students working in a creek

    Energy and Earth Resources

    Energy demands consume a tremendous number of resources. You will explore energy resources and conservation, alternative energy, and sustainability, and apply these concepts to mine reclamation, solar and wind farm projects, and resource-heavy industries. Participate in projects that involve clean-up efforts, including mercury contamination of abandoned hydraulic mines.

  • A student in the creek conducting water research.

    Hydrology

    Learn how water moves, what it's made of, and where it's found. Dive into the science of rainfall, river flow, evaporation, and more. Discover how these processes impact the amount and quality of water in our environment and gain a deep understanding of how these factors play a crucial role in managing water resources sustainably.

A High-Reward, In-Demand Career

Use your talents for the greater good in a field that is seeing massive growth in opportunities. By pursuing a degree in environmental science, you open doors to rewarding careers such as microbiologists, industrial ecologists, climate change analysts, and environmental engineers. Our graduates are making a difference in agencies like US Fish and Wildlife Service, River Partners, California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, and the California Department of Water Resources.

Learn by Doing

Students in our department get hands-on. Whether you are collecting soil samples outside or learning how to code a sensor, you will gain real skills that you will take with you into your future jobs.

Fast Facts

25:1

student to faculty ratio

$60K

annual median

starting salary

6%

projected job growth

from 2022 to 2032

Two people working in a lab setting

Embrace a Welcoming Environment

The Association of Geological and Environmental Students (AGES) is a great way for you to get involved with the department, interact with your peers in a friendly and casual setting, and participate in professional development opportunities.

Intersection of the Environment, Stewardship, and Science

A person performing an experiment in a lab setting

Learning Beyond the Classroom

You will have access to industry-standard technologies to study the earth and atmosphere, including the Raman-shifted Eye-safe Aerosol Lidar (REAL), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and a Scanning Electron Microscope.

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