Bachelor of Science

Interdisciplinary Studies - Environmental Science

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Solve Environmental Challenges

Understand the Earth's environment and the challenges it faces in the bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in environmental science program at the University at Albany. You will gain deep knowledge of our natural environment along with a detailed look at how human societies interact with the planet's landmasses, oceans and atmosphere.

Explore major national and international issues including climate change, air pollution, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation. Customize your studies to align with your career goals in areas like sustainability, energy, environmental conservation and geological survey.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin | Course Catalog | Four-Year Plans | Department Contact: Justin Minder

Program of Study
Applied Learning
Combined Master's
Career Outcomes
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Program of Study

programofstudy

The BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Environmental Science is a combined major and minor where you can choose from one of four specializations:

Climate Change
Ecosystems
Geography
Sustainability Science and Policy

Each track has a customized set of classes. In addition to environmental science, you will complete core coursework in math, biology, chemistry and physics. Benefit from the expertise of faculty, who are highly recognized and active researchers in the field of environmental science.

Honors Program

Students who have by the end of their fourth semester attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in courses required of the major in environmental science may apply to the department chair for the program leading to a B.S. degree with honors in environmental science.

General Program

Program (70-71 credits minimum)

Atmospheric Structure, Thermodynamics, and Circulation
Environmental Statistics and Computation
Meteorological and Environmental Measurement
General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
General Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology
Introduction to Biological Investigations I and II
Principles of Ecology and Evolution
General Chemistry I and II or Advanced General Chemistry I and II (and labs)
Introduction to Environmental Science (and labs)
Ocean Science
Major Topics in Environmental Science
Understanding the Earth
Algebra and Calculus II or Calculus I
Physics I: Mechanics

Specializations

Ecosystems

(22 credits)

Required courses

(7 credits)

Introductory Genetics
Ecology

Electives

(15 credits) In addition to environmental science courses, you can take electives in areas like anthropology, biology, public health, geography and political science. Sample courses:

Culture, Environment, and Health
Genetics of Human Disease
The Adirondack Environment
Urban Ecology
International Political Economic Science
Global Environmental Issues and Their Effect on Human Health

Four-Year Plan

Climate Change

(21 credits)

Required courses

(12 credits)

Climate Variability and Change
Water and Climate Change
Climate Laboratory
Paleoclimatology

Electives

(9 credits) Choose from courses in atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences, math, political science, public health and public administration & policy. Sample courses:

Air Quality and Air Pollution Policy
Environmental Internships
Calculus II
International Environmental Policy
International Political Economic Science
Global Environmental Issues and Their Effect on Human Health

Four-Year Plan

Geography

(22 credits)

Required courses

(10 credits)

Introductory Urban Geography
Introduction to Cartography
Geographic Information Systems

Electives

(12 credits) Sample Courses:

Climatology
Computer Mapping
Environmental Planning
Water and Climate Change
Sustainable Development: Energy and Resources

Four-Year Plan

Sustainability Science and Policy

(21 credits)

Required courses

(9 credits)

Air Quality and Air Pollution Policy
Sustainable Development: Energy and Resources
Selected Topics in Political Science

Electives

(12 credits) Select from anthropology, atmospheric science, biology, environmental science, geography, public administration, political science and public health courses. Sample courses:

Culture, Environment, and Health
Weather, Climate Change, and Societal Impacts
World Food Crisis
The Adirondack Environment
Introductory Urban Geography
Environmental Planning
International Environmental Policy
International Political Economic Science
Global Environmental Issues and Their Effect on Human Health

Four-Year Plan

Applied Learning

UAlbany is home to the New York State Mesonet, a collection of more than 100 weather stations that give you a unique opportunity to study environmental data. The nearby environment is also diverse, with many parks, wildlife preserves and sanctuaries to put your coursework to practice.

Past students have taken advantage of opportunities for coordinated study abroad involving Departmental collaborations with universities in Argentina, Brazil, and Taiwan.

You can also conduct research in a wide variety of environmental topics relating to climate and weather, the natural and human environment, ecology and conservation biology, including endangered species.

The University's location at the state capital provides access to environmental science internship programs and career opportunities with organizations including:

New York State Museum
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Huyck Preserve
U.S. Geological Survey
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

appliedlearning

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately.

Combine your Environmental Science degree with the MS in Information Science program. This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

combined

Career Outcomes

With an environmental science degree you will be prepared for jobs in the public and private sector.

Potential job titles include:

Environmental scientist
Environmental consultant
Environmental attorney
Environmental engineer
Renewable energy specialist
Air quality scientist
Data scientist
Secondary and primary school education

Undergraduate student researchers at the summit of the Greenland Ice Sheet

career

“The environmental science program is excellent in fostering genuine curiosity and passion for environmental issues and in encouraging students to become global citizens. The program equipped me with skills in GIS and statistical programming that put me ahead of my peers when I went on to earn my master's degree."

- Michelle Tran, Class of 2013

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Science

Effectively communicate with colleagues or others via clear and efficient writing or presentation technique.
Identify and describe the various systems comprising the Earth's environment, including recognizing key aspects of these systems’ interaction and feedback loops.
Perform quantitative analyses specific to environmental evaluation, including assessing relevant parameters and interpreting their trends in space and/or time.
Apply field methods, data, concepts, and models to the solution of problems in the environmental sciences.

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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors

Acting
Africana Studies
Anthropology
Art
Art History
Atmospheric Science
Bioethics
Biology
Broadcast Meteorology
Business
Chemistry
Chinese Studies
Cognitive Science
Communication
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice Studies
Cybersecurity
Documentary Studies
East Asian Studies
Economics
Educational Studies
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electronics
Film Studies
Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
English

Financial Market Regulation
Forensic Science
French
Game Design and Development
Geographic Information Science
Geography
Globalization Studies
Hebrew
History
Informatics
International Studies
Italian
Japanese Studies
Journalism (Fully Online Option)
Judaic Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Law and Philosophy
Leadership
Legal Studies
LGBTQ Studies
Library and Information Science
Linguistics
Machine Learning
Mathematics

Medical Anthropology
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Music
Musical Theatre
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Portuguese
Pre-Education
Psychology
Public Health
Public Policy
Religious Studies
Russian
Russian and Eastern European Studies
Social Welfare Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics
Sustainability
Theatre
Theatrical Design/Technology
Urban Studies and Planning
U.S. Latino Studies
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies