Environmental Sciences BS

Lead the planet to a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

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About the Program

Tackle the planet’s toughest challenges across a variety of disciplines by analyzing complex problems and developing real-world solutions. The Environmental Sciences BS program emphasizes experimental learning, immersive internships, close-up study of Boston Harbor’s shoreline, and field experiences in Boston Harbor and at UMass Boston’s Nantucket Field Station. These hands-on opportunities prepare you to develop innovative solutions for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Here’s your chance to:

Turn Boston Harbor into your classroom through access to coastal ecosystems, and urban environment just steps from campus.
ddress the impacts of the climate crisis through hands-on research with our award-winning faculty and at the Stone Living Lab, where students test nature-based solutions to protect coastlines, restore natural habitats, and promote climate justice.
Acquire training to tackle urgent environmental challenges through tracks in Marine Science, Policy and Management, and Earth and Hydrological Sciences and put your knowledge to work for public and private organizations across Boston and beyond.

average starting salary (UMass Boston Survey Data, 2020-2022)

of students stay to live and work in MA (UMass Boston Survey Data, 2020-2022)

concentrations to suit different industries (University Survey 2025)

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A Focus on Solutions to Real-World Challenges

With training in a broad spectrum of issues facing the natural and built worlds, Environmental Sciences students graduate ready for a wide variety of roles in the public and private sectors.

Two students work on sailboat in water near UMass Boston.

Career Possibilities

Create meaningful environmental change with immersive research, practical internships, and skills that grow your potential for a career with real-world impact.

Here’s where this degree can take you:

Environmental Specialist
Environmental Technician
Marine Biologist
Environmental Science Educator
Wildlife Biologist
Environmental Consultant
Water Quality Scientist

Example Employers of Program Graduates

Employers of UMass Boston's Environmental Sciences BS program graduates include:

Student Stories

What I valued most about the Environmental Sciences BS program was how the program connected academics with real-world issues. Through internships, hands-on projects, and involvement with campus sustainability efforts, I gained direct experience that gave me confidence in professional settings and a strong sense of purpose in my career.

Honey G.

Plan Your Education

How to Apply

First Year Student Deadlines: Fall

Early Action I: November 1
Early Action II: January 1
Regular Decision: February 15

Transfer Student Deadlines:

Fall Semester (Domestic): June 15
Spring Semester: December 15

Please review the first-year and transfer apply pages for important information about application requirements, deadlines, and application status check.

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.

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Undergraduate Scholarships

Scholarships for Transfers

Program Details

Curriculum

Course requirements for a BS in environmental science comprise a total of 120 academic credits, at least 30 of which must be taken at UMass Boston. In addition to UMass Boston general education requirements, students take introductory courses in biology, chemistry and physics as well as calculus 1. Students also take introductory courses in environmental science and environmental policy, skills courses in statistics and GIS, natural science courses in geology, oceanography, and global environmental change, social science courses in urbanization and globalization and the environment, upper level electives across all disciplines of environmental science, and a senior capstone research course.

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Environmental Science BS Program:

Students will be able to apply scientific ways of knowing and design appropriate experiments to answer environmental science questions.
Students will understand the contributions of laboratory, field, and survey data collection and analysis for approaching environmental science problems.
Students will be able to analyze and critique environmental questions across multiple natural and social science perspectives and research approaches.
Students will demonstrate analytical and quantitative proficiencies to analyze environmental and/or social science data.
Students will understand the system interactions and feedbacks between human activities and social institutions and the natural environment.
Students will be experienced in communicating their learnings both in writing, visually, and orally, and for specific and general audiences.

Graduation Criteria

Degree Requirements

If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.

Major Requirements

Complete at least 64 credits from 23 courses including three introductory courses, two designated skills courses, two 200-level natural science electives, one 200-level social science elective, eleven bachelor of science courses, three track courses, and one capstone.

Track: Students must choose from one of four major tracks: Earth and hydrological sciences, environmental policy and management, environmental science (general), and marine science.

Pass/Fail: No courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the major.

Residency: At least five environmental science courses used for the major must be completed at UMass Boston.

Concentrations

The BS in environmental science provides students the opportunity to focus their studies, through degree tracks, in marine science, policy & management, and earth & hydrologic science. Students may also pursue a general track allowing them to take a breadth of courses across the environmental disciplines.

Contact

School for the Environment
McCormack Hall
2nd Floor, Room 615
Phone: 617.287.7440

Email the School for the Environment