This intercollege program, hosted between the colleges of Engineering & Physical Sciences and Life Sciences & Agriculture, is designed for students seeking broad, interdisciplinary training in the foundational sciences with an emphasis on the interactions of biological, chemical, and physical processes that shape our natural environment. The geosystems option, coordinated by the Department of Earth Sciences, provides students with foundational coursework in math and the sciences, enhanced by broad training across the environmental sciences and specialized training in Earth system processes, thereby positioning students with the ability to focus on climate, atmospheric and/or biogeochemical processes from an environmental sciences perspective.

WHY STUDY GEOSYSTEMS AT UNH?

The location of UNH, on the Great Bay Estuary and close to the White Mountains, provides an ideal backdrop for hands-on learning opportunities for all environmental science students. Students have multiple opportunities to immerse themselves in research experiences in the field and in state-of-the-art laboratories, and funds are available by competitive application to support these opportunities. Employment for environmental scientists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing need for environmental protection and responsible land and water resource management is projected to spur demand for environmental scientists.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

Environmental consultant
Environmental toxicologist
Geospatial scientist
Hydrographer
Hydrologist
Physical scientist
Resource manager
Science journalist
Secondary school teacher

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) and the College of Life Science and Agriculture (COLSA) jointly offer a bachelor of science degree in environmental sciences. Environmental sciences, an interdisciplinary field, focuses on the interaction of biological, chemical, and physical processes that shape our natural environment. Students graduating with a degree in environmental sciences will have an understanding of these interacting processes, the ability to communicate effectively with both scientific and lay audiences, competency in field methods appropriate for entry-level environmental science positions, competency in the use and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a basic understanding of environmental policy, and the ability to contribute to multidisciplinary teams. The University of New Hampshire is a recognized leader in environmental sciences research, and the environmental sciences program capitalizes on faculty expertise in this area. The full-time faculty members comprising this program have major teaching and research emphases in the areas of biogeochemical cycling, environmental chemistry, ecosystem science, geospatial science, global change, hydrology, plant ecology, soil science, and water resource management.