Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a Major in Environmental Science and a Major Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

BS Degree with a Major in Environmental Science

For graduation requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing BS degree with a major in Environmental Science must complete: 

• A minimum of 26-29 courses (77-82 credit hours), depending on course selection, to satisfy major requirements.  
• A minimum of 520 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.  
• A minimum of 5-7 courses (55-24 credit hours), depending on declared major concentration, taken at 300-level or above. 
• An advanced field or research experience requirement. 
• A capstone senior seminar requirement.
• requirements of a major concentration. When students declare major in Environmental Science, students must additionally identify and declare one of two major concentrations, either in:
  • Earth Science, or
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Because of common core requirements, it is possible for students to change their major concentration at any time, even after initially declaring major. To do so, please contact the Office of Registrar.

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary major that addresses environmental issues in context of what we know about earth, ecology, and society. In addition to its science core, major also seeks to provide students with some appreciation of social, cultural, and policy dimensions of environmental issues.

courses listed below satisfy this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of major’s academic advisor, or where applicable, department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document courses to be taken.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways:

1. Completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum prior to submitting an application.

2. Submitting one of the following official test scores.

• The Coalition Application or the Common Application and Rice writing supplement
• $75 nonrefundable application fee (must be paid online)
• Official high school transcript in English (or a certified English translation)
• Recommendation Letters
  • School Counselor
  • Teacher 5
  • Teacher 2
• Demonstration of English proficiency
• International Student Financial Statement
• Architecture portfolio (Architecture applicants only)