Gain Hands-on Experience with an Environmental Science Degree Online
Environmental scientists analyze environmental issues and develop practical solutions. They look to repair and prevent damage caused by climate change, overpopulation, loss of biodiversity and other crises. They're protectors of the planet, champions of clean energy and self-admitted tree huggers.
At University of Michigan Science, you can gain the education and experience you need to pursue your passion with an online environmental science degree. This BS degree program gives you a strong foundation in natural and physical sciences. Choose the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree program alone or elect a concentration in Natural Resources and Conservation or Geospatial Technologies.
In the natural resources and conservation concentration, you'll focus on the conservation and management of natural resources and remediation of natural and human hazards. You'll develop a broad-based interdisciplinary skill set that companies and organizations are looking for to solve complex environmental problems like climate change, alternative energy, and sustainability.
The geospatial technologies concentration will give you practical, real-world experience in geographic information systems (GIS) technology, including spatial awareness, remote sensing and imagery analysis. These technologies are an essential planning, analytic and management tool used in the field of environmental sciences to help GIS professionals visualize data in a geographic model. In UMS's online geospatial technologies degree, you'll explore the acquisition, integration and analysis of geospatial data that's applicable to a wide array of environmental issues.
Watch the two-minute video to learn more about this online degree, including how you'll get hands-on experience in courses and labs.
Not available for students outside the continental U.S.
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See Yourself Succeed in Environmental Science
The unique interdisciplinary BS in Environmental Studies online program gives you a foundation in essential environmental concepts with courses such as Ecological Principles and Field Methods, Environmental Ethics and Environmental Science Research Methods. Coursework features instructor-led labs using custom lab kits that are mailed to students to provide hands-on learning.
Upon completion of the online environmental science degree, you'll have the knowledge and skill set to:
- Utilize effective oral and written communication strategies in the construction, evaluation and presentation of solutions to environmental problems
- Analyze intersections of the human and natural world, drawing upon an understanding of the structure and functions of ecological systems and processes
- Propose practical solutions that address the complexity of environmental problems by employing interdisciplinary approaches
- Articulate a personal ethical framework that integrates environmental science concepts, principles and practical experiences
- Apply various technological and field-based methods to the study of the environment
- Design and execute projects that effectively integrate the scientific method using quantitative and qualitative research methods
As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your bachelor’s in environmental science online at UMS include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we’ll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there’s no application fee
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Career Outlook
Our online environmental science programs equip you with the skills you need to pursue or advance your career in a wide array of roles, including environmental scientist, geospatial analyst, geographic information systems specialist, protection specialist and hazardous substance scientist.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sees 11% growth for environmental scientists and specialists through 2026.* The BLS also projects 6% growth for geographers through the same time period, about as fast as the average rate for all occupations.*
Curriculum
The online environmental science degree program gives you a strong foundation in natural and physical sciences, like biology, chemistry and physics. Choose the environmental conservation concentration, and you'll study the implications of climate change, loss of biodiversity and other environmental issues. In the geospatial technologies concentration, you'll tackle spatial awareness, geospatial programming, remote sensing and imagery analysis.
Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
UMS's bachelor's in environmental science program includes:
- General education
- Degree-specific courses
General Education Program
Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:
- Writing
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem solving
All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Courses May Include
Program Outcomes
- Utilize effective oral and written communication strategies in the construction, evaluation, and presentation of solutions to environmental problems
- Analyze intersections of the human and natural world drawing upon an understanding of the structures and functions of ecological systems and processes
- Propose practical solutions that address the complexity of environmental problems by employing interdisciplinary approaches
- Articulate a personal ethical framework that integrates environmental science concepts, principles, and practical experiences
- Apply various technological and field-based methods to the study of the environment
- Design and execute projects that effectively integrate the scientific method and quantitative and qualitative research methods (including laboratory procedures) as applied to questions related to the natural environment
