Please note that not all emphases are available online. Check with your advisor for additional information.
This degree encourages students to explore the many faces of the environmental sciences, including living and non-living components. Students will receive an overall grounding in essential sciences, with options to delve into the human dynamics of the environment, such as policy and management.
If it’s science you love, we offer a BS in Environmental Sciences. There is no minor required, instead you choose one of eight emphasis areas: Applied Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Climate, Environmental Administration and Policy, Environmental Communication, Environmental Geology, or Environmental Management. Please contact our advisors for more information.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | STA 275 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Research | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Emphasis Required | An emphasis is required for this major. |
Purpose Statement
The Environmental Science program at NAU constructs an interdisciplinary base of knowledge and skills to explore and develop real-world solutions to environmental problems.
Our program provides a firm grounding in the natural and social sciences to ensure all students understand how chemical, physical and biological processes maintain life, and the complex relationships among humans and the environment. Students work together and individually in the classroom, field and laboratory to practice applying the scientific method to address environmental problems and explore creative solutions that apply cutting-edge technologies.
The broad range of emphases available within our program allows students to delve deeper into a specific knowledge base, then work individually and often together in Environmental Science courses to solve problems by applying the perspectives and knowledge they developed in their emphasis with students from other emphasis areas. To culminate the learning in the program, students develop an individually designed research project or internship addressing an environmental issue of importance to them, which in turn, is expected to further prepare students for a range of professional or graduate opportunities.
Student Learning Outcomes
This major requires 78 - 87 units distributed as follows:
Environmental Sciences Common Course Requirements (42 units)
Emphasis Requirement - Select One (36 - 45 units)
Courses in the selected emphasis must be completed with average Grade of "C" or better.
Applied Statistics Emphasis (39 units)
Biology Emphasis (44 - 45 units)
Please note that Biology is the only emphasis available at the Yuma campus. Check with your advisor for additional information.Chemistry Emphasis (38 - 39 units)
Climate Emphasis (41 - 44 units)
Environmental Administration and Policy Emphasis (36 units)
Environmental Communication Emphasis (36 - 37 units)
Environmental Management Emphasis (37 units)
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and start a Master of Science in Climate Science and Solutions at NAU.
Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:
This major requires 81 - 90 units distributed as follows:
Environmental Sciences Common Course Requirements (45 units)
Emphasis Requirements - Select One (36 - 45 units)
Courses in the selected emphasis must be completed with average Grade of "C" or better.
Applied Statistics Emphasis (39 units)
Biology Emphasis (44 - 45 units)
Please note that Biology is the only emphasis available at the Yuma campus. Check with your advisor for additional information.
Chemistry Emphasis (38 - 39 units)
Climate Emphasis (41 - 44 units)
Environmental Administration and Policy Emphasis (36 units)
Environmental Communication Emphasis (36 - 37 units)
Environmental Management Emphasis (37 units)
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.