BA Environmental Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Denver

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Environmental Science at the University of Denver prepares students to understand environmental challenges and explore practical solutions to issues such as climate change, air and water quality, natural resource conservation, sustainable development, and waste management. Designed for students who want to combine scientific knowledge with broader interests in environmental policy, sustainability, conservation, and planning, the program offers a flexible interdisciplinary education with opportunities for hands-on field studies and learning across different academic disciplines.

Curriculum Structure

The BA is designed as a four-year degree. The following is a general year-by-year learning progression based on the university's published curriculum and course requirements; it is not a guaranteed semester-by-semester study plan.

Year 1: Building a Foundation in Environmental Systems

Students begin by exploring the physical processes that shape the environment through GEOG 1201: Environmental Systems – Weather, GEOG 1202: Environmental Systems – Hydrology, and GEOG 1203: Environmental Systems – Landforms. These courses introduce weather and climate, water systems, and landform development, helping students understand how Earth's natural systems function and interact. Students also begin developing their biological science knowledge through courses such as BIOL 1010: Physiological Systems and BIOL 1011: Evolution, Heredity & Biodiversity, alongside the university's broader undergraduate curriculum.

Year 2: Understanding Ecosystems and Environmental Chemistry

Students deepen their understanding of environmental processes through subjects such as BIOL 2010: General Ecology and its laboratory component, which explore relationships between organisms and their environments. They can also study CHEM 1010: General Chemistry I, CHEM 1020: General Chemistry II, and CHEM 2240: Introduction to Environmental Chemistry, developing a stronger understanding of the chemical processes affecting environmental quality. Statistics, through an approved course such as GEOG 2000: Geographical Statistics, adds quantitative skills that support environmental analysis and evidence-based decision-making.

Year 3: Exploring Environmental Challenges and Specializing

As students progress, they can use the program's environmental science electives to explore areas aligned with their interests, including conservation, water resources, environmental geology, sustainability, and environmental policy. Options listed by the university include ENVI 3000: Environmental Law, ENVI 2801: Water Quality of Western Rivers and Streams, and GEOL 3100: Environmental Geology. This stage allows students to connect scientific concepts with real environmental challenges and begin shaping a direction for their future careers or postgraduate studies.

Year 4: Applying Knowledge and Preparing for a Career

In their final year, students complete remaining major requirements, environmental electives, and the wider university curriculum while refining their interests in areas such as resource management, conservation, and environmental policy. Depending on their chosen courses and eligibility, they may pursue supervised research through ENVI 3995: Independent Research or gain professional experience through ENVI 3999: Environmental Science Internship. Students also complete the required professional development coursework, helping them prepare for employment or further academic study.

Focus Areas

The BA in Environmental Science supports exploration of climate change, environmental systems, air and water quality, ecosystem conservation, natural resource management, environmental chemistry, sustainable development, waste management, environmental policy, and planning. Its flexible elective structure enables students to complement their scientific foundation with subjects that align with their particular environmental interests.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop an understanding of physical and biological environmental systems, the scientific processes behind environmental challenges, and the relationships between ecosystems and human activity. Through scientific coursework, statistics, laboratory study, electives, and potential field or research experiences, they can strengthen their analytical thinking, environmental problem-solving, research, and evidence-based decision-making skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program provides a scientific foundation relevant to environmental conservation, resource management, environmental planning, sustainability, and policy-related careers. The official program information reviewed does not identify a specific external professional accreditation for the BA in Environmental Science; students who require a particular professional credential should confirm applicable requirements with the department before enrolling.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings)

The University of Denver's program information highlights career pathways in conservation, resource management, and environmental policy, while the department offers academic and career guidance to support students' professional development. However, the official program sources reviewed do not provide a specific employability rate, graduate salary figure, or program-level QS or Guardian ranking for this degree, so these should not be presented as verified outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Denver, environmental science students can take their learning beyond the classroom through field-based research, laboratory work, and supervised professional experiences. The Department of Geography and the Environment encourages students to participate in Field Quarter, an immersive experience in which students travel with faculty to study different environments, collect data, and conduct research projects. The department also offers access to research facilities supporting geographic information science, remote sensing, geomorphology, soils, and climatology.

Students can build practical skills through the following opportunities:

- Field Quarter and environmental fieldwork: Participate in off-campus learning across locations in the American Southwest, Mexico, Central America, and other destinations, subject to the available courses. Activities may include studying desert ecosystems, examining geological processes, collecting environmental samples, and conducting conservation or sustainability research.

- Environmental research laboratories: The department's research facilities support work in GIS, remote sensing, geomorphology, soils, palynology, dendrochronology, and climatology. These facilities provide opportunities to engage with environmental observations, data analysis, and research methods.

- Field research tools and techniques: Field courses can introduce students to sediment sampling, tree-ring core collection, and GPS technology, helping them develop practical environmental investigation and data-gathering skills.

- Internships and professional experience: Students can pursue supervised internships with state, local, or federal government offices and private-sector organizations. The department's internship program supports the process of finding, registering, and evaluating placements, while helping students develop professional connections.

- Research projects and independent study: Eligible students can explore independent research through ENVI 3995 or pursue an approved environmental science internship through ENVI 3999, subject to course requirements and faculty approval.

- Career development and digital resources: The university's Career & Professional Development Office can assist with résumés, cover letters, internship searches, and career planning. Pioneer Careers Online provides access to internship listings and professional development resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Environmental Science can prepare graduates to contribute to environmental protection, conservation, sustainable resource use, and environmental policy. Its combination of natural science coursework, interdisciplinary electives, and potential field or internship experience can support entry-level opportunities in environmental organizations, government agencies, consulting, and sustainability-related work. Students can tailor their electives and practical experience toward the roles that best match their interests.

Potential career paths include:

Environmental Policy Assistant: Support research, policy development, and environmental planning initiatives.
Conservation or Natural Resource Assistant: Help with conservation projects, habitat protection, and resource management.
Environmental Research Assistant: Assist with field observations, sample collection, research documentation, and environmental data analysis.
Sustainability Coordinator or Assistant: Contribute to sustainability initiatives, environmental assessments, and resource-efficiency projects.

These are potential career directions rather than guaranteed job placements; specific roles may require additional technical skills, experience, or postgraduate qualifications.

Students can strengthen their employability through several university resources and opportunities:

- Career & Professional Development Office: Access career advising, résumé and cover-letter support, internship application guidance, and help exploring graduate study options.

- Pioneer Careers Online: Explore job and internship postings, professional networking opportunities, workshops, and career events.

- Department internship support: Work with the department's internship program director to identify relevant placements, obtain approval, and reflect on professional learning. Internship hosts may include government offices, organizations, and private-sector employers; individual placements depend on availability and student initiative.

- Faculty-led research and field experience: Build practical experience through environmental research, field courses, and opportunities to collect and analyze data in different ecosystems. These experiences can help students demonstrate applied skills to prospective employers.

- Employment statistics and salary figures: The official program sources reviewed do not publish a BA-specific graduate employment rate, median salary, or placement report. Prospective students should therefore treat salary and employment outcomes as dependent on the role, location, experience, and further qualifications rather than as guaranteed program outcomes.

- Industry partnerships and accreditation: The department supports internships with external organizations, but the reviewed official sources do not establish a specific industry partnership guaranteeing employment or identify a dedicated professional accreditation for this BA. Students interested in regulated or specialized environmental careers should confirm the relevant requirements before choosing a pathway.

- Graduation outcomes: The university identifies conservation, resource management, and environmental policy as potential career directions for BA graduates. Relevant internships, independent research, and fieldwork can help students build experience aligned with these opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BA in Environmental Science, students can consider postgraduate study to develop deeper scientific, technical, research, or policy expertise. The University of Denver's Geography and the Environment department offers graduate pathways in geography and geographic information science, including a master's degree in geographic information science and master's and PhD study in geography.

Potential next steps include:

Master's in Geographic Information Science (GISc): Develop advanced capabilities in geospatial analysis and environmental data applications.
Master's in Geography: Explore environmental systems, human–environment relationships, and related research areas.
PhD in Geography: Pursue advanced research and prepare for research-focused, academic, or specialized professional careers.
Other relevant postgraduate programs: Consider environmental management, sustainability, conservation, environmental policy, or related disciplines at universities offering suitable entry requirements and specializations.

Admission to postgraduate programs depends on each institution's entry requirements, academic performance, and any prerequisite coursework. Students should confirm eligibility and program availability directly with the university before applying.