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Earth and Environmental Sciences, BS

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  1. Degree Programs
  2. Undergraduate Degrees
  3. Earth and Environmental Sciences, BS

At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
    Tempe campus,
    or
    online
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
  • Math Intensity: Moderate program math intensity moderate
  • Initial Math Course: MAT 251 - Calculus for Life Sciences

Required Courses (Major Map)

Major Map

Online Major Map

Major Map on-campus archive

eAdvisor Tracking Tool


Explore the foremost issues currently confronting scientists in ecological well-being, climate dynamics and natural resources, and develop your capacity to improve the human condition, both present and future. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills as you become a master learner and changemaker.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science program in Earth and environmental sciences, both in-person and online, provides broad training in the physical sciences, especially process-oriented geosciences that focus on Earth's life-sustaining surface environment. This training establishes a foundational understanding of the evolution of the Earth system, with an emphasis on the surface environment, oceans and climate, and implications for sustainable human societies. The program empowers graduates to help Arizona and the global community address some of the most pressing challenges of the day in environmental health, climate change and natural resources.

Through elective tracks, students can focus their studies on climate and environmental change, environmental policy, sustainability, Earth resources, environmental management or environmental education.




Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman Transfer International Readmission


Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.


Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.


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Career Outlook

Graduates are prepared to attend graduate school in the natural and environmental sciences, education, environmental journalism, environmental law, public policy and environmental management.

They are also well prepared for "green" professional careers in fields such as education, environmental reporting, public planning, environmental consulting, and natural resource management, and more technical positions, such as environmental scientist, in a variety of subdisciplines. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and corroborated by data reported by the Occupational Information Network, the many career opportunities in growth areas available to graduates of this program include:

  • conservation scientist or natural resource manager (7% growth, $64k median salary)
  • environmental science educator (secondary education: 8% growth, $63k median salary).
  • environmental science technician (11% growth, $47k median salary)
  • environmental scientist (8% growth, $73k median salary)
  • geological and hydrologic technician (8% growth, $73k median salary)
  • geoscientist (7% growth, $93k median salary)
  • hydrologist (6% growth, $84k median salary)
  • natural science manager (9% growth, $51k median salary)

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:

Climate Change Policy Analysts

  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Conservation Scientists

  • Growth: 4.1%
  • Median Salary*: 64460

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Environmental Restoration Planners

  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

  • Growth: 4.2%
  • Median Salary*: 83040

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

  • Growth: 5.8%
  • Median Salary*: 48380
  Bright Outlook

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

  • Growth: 5.1%
  • Median Salary*: 87480
  Bright Outlook

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

  • Growth: 3.6%
  • Median Salary*: 97770

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

  • Growth: 2.1%
  • Median Salary*: 107970

Water Resource Specialists

  • Growth: 4.8%
  • Median Salary*: 144440
  Bright Outlook

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook | Green Occupation Green Occupation


Global Opportunities

Global Experience

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, Earth and environmental sciences students are able to tailor their experience to their unique interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.



Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • sese-advising@asu.edu
  • 480/965-5081


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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