Wondering whether a degree in environmental sciences might be right for you? Contact us to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.
Phone: 530-898-5262
Email: erth@csuchico.edu
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.
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.
Choose Your Path
As a student in the BS program, you'll choose additional courses in one of four sub-disciplines that will prepare you for a career or graduate school.
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?
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.
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.
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:
- Climate change analyst
- Environmental engineer
- Industrial ecologist
- Microbiologist
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.
Research Reveals the Threat of Wildfires on Water Quality
Critical research by faculty at Chico State, UC Boulder, and USGS aims to identify preventative insight during future wildfires.
Research and Presentations
Conduct important research in your field of interest and have the opportunity to present your findings at the California Society for Ecology Restoration and Geological Society of America conferences.
Faculty Receive $6 Million Grant for Soil Carbon Accrual Project
John Knowles and Sandrine Matiasek will contribute to the Soil Carbon Accrual Project (SCAP) project component that is designed to address soil degradation, erosion, and diminished water availability, all critical issues facing California agriculture.
Fast Facts
25:1
student to faculty ratio
$60K
annual median
starting salary
6%
projected job growth
from 2022 to 2032
- 25:1
student to faculty ratio
- $60K
annual median
starting salary
- 6%
projected job growth
from 2022 to 2032
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.
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.
Discover Stories and More
Chico State TodayRelated Programs
Earth and Environmental Sciences Department
Wondering whether a degree in environmental sciences might be right for you? Contact us to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.
Phone: 530-898-5262
Email: erth@csuchico.edu