College environmental programs have become increasingly popular, and a number of majors have resulted, including environmental management, environmental planning, environmental policy, and sustainability. However, the two most common environmental majors are environmental science and environmental studies. These two majors seem similar and have a lot of overlap, but the difference can greatly affect a student’s course of study and career outlook.

The Environmental Science Major

Environmental science focuses on the application of scientific reasoning to Earth’s systems and the analysis of artificial and natural influences on these systems. It is an interdisciplinary and scientifically rigorous course of study.  Environmental science degrees are often classified as a Bachelors of Science, though some schools offer a Bachelors of Arts degree that requires less scientific coursework.

Two or three required classes each in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and mathematics is typical for an environmental science major. Environmental science emphasizes a breadth of scientific knowledge, especially in the first two years of the program. The last two years is where students often get to pick a concentration or elective classes in topics such as, marine science, watershed management, wetland science, conservation biology, soil science, or geoscience. The major may end with a research-based capstone class or senior thesis, requiring the student to conduct independent research on an environmental topic and present their findings.

Environmental science programs aim to qualify graduates for scientific, research, educational and compliance careers. These graduates tend to secure positions in environmental consulting, academia, government environmental agencies, health departments, laboratories, conservation nonprofits, and private industry. Therefore, minors or double majors in topics such as biology, chemistry, geology, statistics, education, GIS, computer science, engineering, environmental health, or sustainability may be useful.

Recommendations

Environmental science major requirements vary greatly from school to school. However, I recommend at least three semesters of chemistry (through a semester of organic chemistry), two semesters of physics, a semester or two of calculus, a semester or two of GIS, and a semester of statistics, even if the program does not require it. These classes will ensure that a graduate has a broad range of scientific knowledge, and prepares them for many graduate programs in the sciences. It’s always good to keep your options open. Internships and a relevant concentration of study are important in separating yourself from other graduates in the job market as well.

The Environmental Studies Major

Environmental studies programs are even more interdisciplinary that environmental science. Environmental studies focuses on the integration of environmental sciences and humanities into one course of study. It applies scientific reasoning to Earth’s systems as well, but focuses more on the relationship of society to these systems and how humans think about and influence their environment. Environmental studies draws on natural sciences, but also on political science, sociology, public policy, economics, urban planning, and philosophy to analyze these relationships. For example, environmental science majors may focus on how pollution affects Earth’s systems. Meanwhile, environmental studies majors will focus on exploring questions such as: Who released this pollution? What are the scientific, sociological, economical, and political reasons that caused them to release it? Can policies be put in place to stop this pollution? What would those solutions look like? How would we measure the effectiveness of these solutions?

Most environmental studies degrees are classified as Bachelors of Arts, but some schools offer a Bachelors of Science degree with more science coursework required. One or two required classes in biology, chemistry, and/or geology, and a required course in mathematics, are typical for an environmental studies major. The major emphasizes a combination of natural and social sciences, so the first year of the program commonly includes introductory courses in natural sciences and environmental issues. The last three years of the program give students a lot of flexibility to pick electives in geography, economics, policy, philosophy, or sustainability. Concentrations and course emphasis can be placed on food, climate, water, urban, sustainability, or international environmental issues, for example.

Environmental studies programs aim to qualify graduates for administrative, policy, and educational careers. Graduates tend to secure positions in government environmental agencies, government planning agencies, environmental nonprofits, and private industry. Therefore, minors or double majors in topics such as biology, political science, public policy, business administration, urban planning, chemistry, geology, education, GIS, or sustainability can be helpful.

Recommendations

Environmental studies majors have a lot of flexibility to figure out their interests and take relevant courses. This is a huge advantage of the major, but also its biggest disadvantage. To be cliché, you can easily become a “jack of all trades, master of none”.  I recommend pairing environmental studies with a career-relevant double major if you are targeting a job immediately after your undergraduate degree. For example, if you are interested in corporate sustainability, a double major in business or sustainability would be a good choice. If you are interested in public policy, a double major in political science, economics, public policy, or urban planning would be of interest.

Furthermore, environmental studies can be a great major for pre-law or pre-medicine students. For these students, competing in the job market is less important. Instead, building an excellent GPA and an enticing law/medical school application is paramount. Environmental studies programs can assist greatly with this, as they let students cater their coursework to their strengths.

Environmental Science vs. Environmental Studies Program Comparison

Below, I’ve picked a few universities that offer both environmental science and environmental studies and categorized the classes required for each degree. The degree requirements for each school were collected in winter 2020, and are likely to change. The table shows that up to twice as many natural science courses (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science) and mathematics courses may be needed for an environmental science major at these schools, as compared to an environmental studies major. However, environmental studies may require twice as many social science, policy, and humanities courses.

University	Degree	Natural Science Courses Needed	Math Courses Needed	Social Science/ Humanities Courses Needed
University of Oregon	BS in Environmental Science	17	4	6
University of Oregon	BA in Environmental Studies	7	2	13
Villanova University	BS in Environmental Science	11	2	3
Villanova University	BA in Environmental Studies	8	1	6
Northeastern University	BS in Environmental Science	13-14	2	1
Northeastern University	BA in Environmental Studies	5-11	1	6-12

Both majors can be an excellent course of study. However, prospective students should think deeply about their interests and career goals. Environmental science graduates will likely qualify for positions sought by environmental studies graduates, but it could be difficult for environmental studies graduates to qualify for environmental science jobs that emphasize science coursework. Additionally, science graduate programs often have scientific coursework prerequisites, but social science and policy graduate programs do not typically require significant social science coursework. In summary, environmental science graduates enjoy greater career flexibility, but must take more science and math courses. Environmental studies students enjoy greater coursework flexibility, and can more easily double major or pursue other interests.