Bachelor of Science in
Environmental
Science
A University-Wide Degree Program
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE The Environmental Science Program at the University of Idaho brings together faculty and courses from across the university for an interdisciplinary framework that addresses environmental issues. This provides you with the opportunity to explore environmental issues through a variety of lenses, such as science, policy, society, literature, politics, and restoration—equipping you to become a well-rounded environmental scientist with the skills to land an exciting and rewarding career. While attending Idaho’s land-grant institution, you’ll benefit from the university’s deep commitment to the stewardship of natural resources and the communities that depend on them. Through close collaboration with faculty, opportunities to work with local and regional stakeholders, and access to Idaho’s incredible natural laboratory, you’ll graduate prepared to make a lasting impact.
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n Coeur d’ Ale
Moscow
Idaho Falls Boise
Located in one of the most ecologically diverse states in the country, the University of Idaho offers you the chance to study in forests, rivers, mountains, and rangelands—right in your backyard. Fieldwork, lab research, and community engagement are central to the program, allowing you to apply what you learn to real-world environmental challenges across Idaho. You’ll examine both local and global environmental concerns, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, water and energy sustainability, land-use conflicts, and natural resource management. You can focus your studies on the biological, physical, or social sciences, while gaining a broad understanding of how environmental systems interact with human values, economics, and politics.
With a solid understanding of the science behind environmental issues, you can choose one of four emphasis areas.
DO YOU WANT TO... Shape policy? Manage ecosystems? Educate future generations? Write about the environment? Be an environmental influencer? The Environmental Science program at the University of Idaho offers you the knowledge, experience, and perspective to help you succeed. To further tailor your experience, the program offers you four specializations: CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION Make a difference as a scientist who can effectively communicate about the environment. By diving deeper into the environmental issues that matter now, you’ll be poised as a leader to advocate for the natural world. Build a well-rounded degree with courses in sociology, philosophy, history, and English. With an emphasis in Culture and Communication, you’ll be ready for careers in consulting, journalism, science writing, public affairs, and community organizing.
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION Advance your knowledge at the intersection of biology, physics, and environmental science as you gain a deeper understanding of the ways humans shape the environment. Focus your studies through courses in water, climate science, ecology, geospatial technologies, and soils. With an emphasis in Ecological Restoration, you’ll be ready for a career in environmental analysis, restoration and remediation, consulting, environmental impact assessment, and more.
POLICY, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Shape policies, laws, permits and regulations surrounding environmental science. Through political, economic, historical and ethical approaches, you’ll gain the skills to directly impact how the environment is managed and protected. Study topics from ecological sciences and water conservation to government regulations and city planning. With an emphasis in Policy, Planning and Management, you’ll be ready for a career in politics, policymaking, public relations, ecotourism, land management and more.
INTEGRATED SCIENCES Build a broad, customized foundation in environmental science by integrating coursework across biological, physical, and social sciences. This specialization is ideal if you’re looking for flexibility to explore multiple areas of interest or prepare for graduate school, research, or careers that demand interdisciplinary expertise. With an emphasis in Integrated Sciences, you’ll be ready for a career in sustainability, environmental education, scientific research, and cross-sector roles that require a holistic view of environmental challenges.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
FIELD COURSES:
You’ll participate in immersive, relevant field experiences that prepare you for your career.
RESEARCH:
As an undergraduate student, you can jump into research with talented faculty that has real world implications and looks great on a resume!
STUDY ABROAD:
Take your degree global and study abroad. As a study abroad student, you’ll enhance your knowledge, increase your cultural savvy—all of which translates naturally into highly transferable professional skills.
Make yourself more competitive in the job market, while making memories and challenging yourself through unique experiences.
Steve Lemeshko
ENVS B.S., Integrated Science emphasis I chose to study Environmental Science because I’m curious about where environmental science meets social issues, where academia meets hands-on work, and how all of it matters at every scale. My senior project won the Solar Farm Summit Dual-Use Student Challenge. It was 100% desk-based: big-picture GIS modeling to predict how pollinator habitat and solar panels could fit into the corners of center-pivot fields in Idaho. The goal, though, was to give policymakers and stakeholders the numbers they can use. But there’s another piece of the same puzzle: this photo is actually from the on-campus Pollinator Garden I helped re-establish. The scales, the disciplines, the roles, the audiences are all different, but the throughline is the same. We need more people working across scales and disciplines, and that’s the beauty of the Environmental Science Program at the University of Idaho.
Miles Butler
ENVS B.S., Ecological Restoration emphasis I was drawn to the U of I’s environmental science program because of the opportunities for students in field research and experiential learning. I participated in two different research projects while in my degree, and it was a very valuable experience to build toward a future career in natural resources. The classes I took while in the degree were also very useful and helped me to build communication skills and people skills that were not as present in other classes I’ve taken at other schools.
Maia Cuddy
ENVS B.S., Policy, Planning and Management emphasis I pursued a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Policy, Planning and Management because of my love for beauty in nature. I am both an artist and a scientist- and whether it’s through depicting endangered ecosystems in oils and charcoal or collecting tree ring data in Yellowstone Park, I’m always seeking to educate, network, and activate. The Environmental Science Program is a wonderful place to dive into new experiences - whether studying invasive insects with the Dendrochronology Field School or whitewater rafting on the Salmon River with professors and other new friends. I will leave this program well prepared for adventure and excellence as a professional.
Learn more:
https://www.uidaho.edu/natural-resources/academics/environmental-science
Visit University of Idaho:
www.uidaho.edu/admissions/visit-idaho Schedule a Campus Tour or Virtual Tour
Ready to Apply?
www.uidaho.edu/admissions/apply
Questions?
Email envs@uidaho.edu