Undergraduate programs

The Department of Environmental Science and Management offers two undergraduate degrees. The Environmental Science degree is focused on natural science, whereas the Environmental Studies degree is focused more on policy and management. The B.A./B.S. degrees in both Environmental Science and Environmental Studies rest on an interdisciplinary curriculum that develops understanding and expertise in environmental science by building on a foundation in mathematics, natural sciences, and economics complemented by related courses in environmental policy and management. Students should consult with their department adviser to assure proper course planning. Students can complete field experiences by working on projects in the University, metropolitan community, and region.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Environmental Science B.A./B.S.

Environmental Studies B.A./B.S.

Environmental Science/Environmental Studies Honors Track

Climate Adaptation and Management Certificate

Forest Ecology and Management Certificate

Lake and Reservoir Management Certificate

Climate Change Science and Adaptation Minor

Environmental Science Minor

Sustainability Minor

Climate Adaptation and Management Certificate

The department is currently not accepting applications to this certificate.

Over the coming decades, governments and the private sector around the world will spend billions of dollars to support adaptation measures that seek to reduce climate-related vulnerabilities for people and the ecosystems on which they depend. To contribute to climate risk management and adaptation at local to global levels students will need to understand the fundamentals of adaptation planning, assessing climate impacts, evaluating risk and vulnerability, identifying adaptation strategies, as well as monitoring climate impacts. Students who complete the certificate will be prepared to take active roles in and contribute to climate adaptation.


This is a rigorous certificate that will require a total of 21 credits in 300- and 400-level courses. The courses are split between science and management/policy courses. Although the certificate could be earned by any student, they will have to have had many pre-requisites (or equivalent preparation) in ESM or Geography.

Certificate requirements

The certificate requires 21 credits of which 13 required credits are offered in ESM.

Electives (choose 2)

G 459Quaternary Climate

4

ESM 428Urban Ecology

4

ESM 483Marine Conservation and Management

4

ESM 418/Geog 418Landscape Ecology

4

ESM 427Watershed Biogeochemistry

4

ESM 480Coastal Marine Ecology

4

PS 435Disasters and Public Policy

4

Geog 310U/Sci 333UClimate and Water Resources

4

Geog 311UClimatology

4

Geog 312U/Sci 334UClimate Variability and Change

4

Total Credit Hours:8

Required courses

ESM 335Introduction to Environmental Management

4

ESM 462Climate Change Impacts, Adaptations and Responses: Geosphere and Anthrosphere

4

ESM 464Climate Adaptation: Managing Environmental Risks and Vulnerabilities

4

ESM 407Climate Change Adaptation SOE Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours:13
Students must take required courses for a differentiated grade and earn a C-or better for it to count toward the certificate (except that a P is acceptable for the ESM 407 only).

Total Credit Hours: 21