The Environmental Sciences major satisfies the growing demand among entry-level students for a rigorous, science-based program that promotes critical thinking and emphasizes environmental problem solving in service to society. The program is designed to prepare graduates who will be highly competitive for entry-level positions in nonprofit and private sectors, and for master’s programs and doctoral research programs in environmental fields. Possible career paths include environmental monitoring, consulting, education, research, and planning, as well as natural resource management, ecology restoration, remediation, water and air quality assessment, sustainability practices, and more. Undergraduates in Environmental Sciences prepare for a variety of career and graduate school opportunities that require a strong background in the natural sciences. Foundational course work in the major includes calculus, biology, chemistry, and physics. Core and elective course work is fulfilled through diverse offerings from both the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Letters & Science.
The Environmental Sciences major can be earned in either the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) or the College of Letters & Science (L&S) under the bachelor of science (BS) or bachelor of arts (BA) degree program. An undergraduate BS degree is offered through both colleges. A BA option is offered through L&S only. Students are encouraged to review the degree requirements for both L&S and CALS and choose the college from which they would prefer to earn their degree; students may choose only one degree "home."
- In CALS, the major is housed in the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences.
- In L&S, the major is housed in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.
The major can be taken as a stand-alone or as a double major with a variety of other majors on campus, including Biology, Community & Environmental Sociology, Life Sciences Communication, foreign language/culture, and a number of other disciplines.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | the third unit of a language other than English |
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Students majoring in Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 58 credits (detailed below). Courses may not double count within the major (unless specifically noted otherwise), but courses counted toward the major requirements may also be used to satisfy a university requirement and/or a college requirement.
Mathematics and Statistics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 4-10 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 (Recommended) | ||
| Survey of Calculus 1 | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Data Science Modeling I | ||
| Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering | ||
| Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Total Credits | 7-14 | |
Chemistry
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Chemistry (complete one of the following): | 5-10 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| Advanced General Chemistry | ||
| Chemical Principles I and Chemical Principles II | ||
| Organic Chemistry (complete one of the following): | 3 | |
| Elementary Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Total Credits | 8-13 | |
Biology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 10 | |
| Introductory Biology and Introductory Biology | ||
| General Botany and Animal Biology and Animal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics and Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory and Cellular Biology and Cellular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Physics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| General Physics (recommended) | ||
| General Physics | ||
| General Physics | ||
| Total Credits | 4-5 | |
Major Foundation
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Soil: Ecosystem and Resource | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Major Core
Complete at least one course and 3 credits from each of these following areas:
Ecology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL 370 | Grassland Ecology | 3 |
| BOTANY 455 | The Vegetation of Wisconsin | 4 |
| BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 460 | General Ecology (Recommended) | 4 |
| DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENTOM 450 | Basic and Applied Insect Ecology | 3 |
| ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473 | Plant-Insect Interactions | 3 |
| ENTOM 490 | Biodiversity and Global Change | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 510 | Ecology of Fishes | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 511 | Ecology of Fishes Lab | 2 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360 | Extinction of Species | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 410 | Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 520 | Ornithology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 521 | Birds of Southern Wisconsin | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 550 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 551 | Forest Ecology Lab | 1 |
| F&W ECOL/LAND ARC/ZOOLOGY 565 | Principles of Landscape Ecology | 2 |
| LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 361 | Wetlands Ecology | 3 |
| LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 581 | Prescribed Fire: Ecology and Implementation | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 300 | Cropping Systems | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 334 | Greenhouse Cultivation | 2 |
| PLANTSCI 335 | Greenhouse Cultivation Lab | 1 |
| SOIL SCI 323 | Soil Biology | 3 |
| ZOOLOGY 304 | Marine Biology | 2 |
| ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 315 | Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources | 2 |
| ZOOLOGY 316 | Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources | 2-3 |
Physical Environment
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATM OCN 310 | Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG 322 | Polar Regions and Their Importance in the Global Environment | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG/GEOSCI 335 | Climatic Environments of the Past | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 355 | Introduction to Air Quality | 3 |
| ATM OCN 425 | Global Climate Processes | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 520 | Bioclimatology | 3 |
| ATM OCN/PLANTSCI 532 | Environmental Biophysics | 3 |
| BSE 365 | Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems | 3 |
| BSE/ENVIR ST 367 | Renewable Energy Systems | 3 |
| BSE 460 | Biorefining: Energy and Products from Renewable Resources | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 320 | Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CIV ENGR/G L E 421 | Environmental Sustainability Engineering | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 423 | Air Pollution Effects, Measurement and Control | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/POP HLTH 502 | Air Pollution and Human Health | 3 |
| GEOG/GEOSCI 320 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOG/ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 332 | Global Warming: Science and Impacts | 3 |
| GEOG/BOTANY 338 | Environmental Biogeography | 3 |
| GEOG/GEOSCI 420 | Glacial and Pleistocene Geology | 3 |
| GEOSCI 304 | Geobiology | 3 |
| GEOSCI 551 | Paleoceanography | 3 |
| GEOSCI/G L E 627 | Hydrogeology | 3-4 |
| GEOSCI/G L E 629 | Contaminant Hydrogeology | 3 |
| POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 471 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 302 | Meet Your Soil: Soil Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory | 1 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324 | Soils and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 327 | Environmental Monitoring and Soil Characterization | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 430 | Soil Pollution and Human Health | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451 | Environmental Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 621 | Soil and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/CIV ENGR/M&ENVTOX 631 | Toxicants in the Environment: Sources, Distribution, Fate, & Effects | 3 |
Geospatial Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATM OCN 575 | Climatological Analysis | 3-4 |
| COMP SCI 220 | Data Science Programming I | 4 |
| ENVIR ST/CIV ENGR/LAND ARC 556 | Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 458 | Environmental Data Science | 3 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST/G L E/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GEOSCI/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/G L E 444 | Practical Applications of GPS Surveying | 2 |
| LAND ARC 311 | Introduction to Design Frameworks and Spatial Technologies | 2 |
| LAND ARC 511 | Geodesign Methods and Applications | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 585 | Using R for Soil and Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST/LAND ARC 695 | Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources | 3 |
Environmental Policy & Social Perspectives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A A E/ENVIR ST 244 | The Environment and the Global Economy | 4 |
| A A E 246 | Climate Change Economics and Policy | 3 |
| A A E/ECON/ENVIR ST 343 | Environmental Economics | 3-4 |
| AMER IND/ENVIR ST 306 | Indigenous Peoples and the Environment | 3 |
| AMER IND/ENVIR ST/GEOG 345 | Caring for Nature in Native North America | 3 |
| C&E SOC/F&W ECOL/SOC 248 | Environment, Natural Resources, and Society | 3 |
| C&E SOC/CURRIC/ENVIR ST 405 | Education for Sustainable Communities | 3 |
| C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/GEOG 434 | People, Wildlife and Landscapes | 3 |
| C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/SOC 540 | Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 541 | Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice | 3 |
| ENVIR ST 349 | Climate Change Governance | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/GEOG 439 | US Environmental Policy and Regulation | 3-4 |
| ENVIR ST/PHILOS 441 | Environmental Ethics | 3-4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST 339 | Conservation and Climate Change - Local to International Strategies | 3-4 |
| GEOG/URB R PL 305 | Introduction to the City | 3-4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST/HISTORY 460 | American Environmental History | 4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST 537 | Culture and Environment | 4 |
| GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 411 | Energy Resources | 3 |
| LSC 340 | Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science | 3 |
| URB R PL/ECON/ENVIR ST/POLI SCI 449 | Government and Natural Resources | 3-4 |
Major Electives
Students may consult with their environmental sciences advisor regarding pathways to complete the major electives requirement. Students must complete 12 credits of electives either by:
- distributing 12 credits across at least three categories;
- focusing 12 credits in a single category.
Distributed Electives
Students choosing the Distributed Electives path must complete a total of 12 credits of Environmental Sciences Electives from the categories below, including at least one course from each category(Ecology, Physical Environment, Geospatial Sciences).
Ecology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL 370 | Grassland Ecology | 3 |
| BOTANY 455 | The Vegetation of Wisconsin | 4 |
| BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 460 | General Ecology | 4 |
| DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473 | Plant-Insect Interactions | 3 |
| ENTOM 450 | Basic and Applied Insect Ecology | 3 |
| ENTOM 490 | Biodiversity and Global Change | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 510 | Ecology of Fishes | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 511 | Ecology of Fishes Lab | 2 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360 | Extinction of Species | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 410 | Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 448 | Disturbance Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 520 | Ornithology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 521 | Birds of Southern Wisconsin | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 550 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 551 | Forest Ecology Lab | 1 |
| F&W ECOL/LAND ARC/ZOOLOGY 565 | Principles of Landscape Ecology | 2 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 660 | Climate Change Ecology | 3 |
| LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 361 | Wetlands Ecology | 3 |
| LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 581 | Prescribed Fire: Ecology and Implementation | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 300 | Cropping Systems | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 334 | Greenhouse Cultivation | 2 |
| PLANTSCI 335 | Greenhouse Cultivation Lab | 1 |
| SOIL SCI 323 | Soil Biology | 3 |
| ZOOLOGY 304 | Marine Biology | 2 |
| ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 315 | Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources | 2 |
| ZOOLOGY 316 | Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources | 2-3 |
| ZOOLOGY 320 | Field Marine Biology | 3 |
Physical Environment
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATM OCN 310 | Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG 322 | Polar Regions and Their Importance in the Global Environment | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG/GEOSCI 335 | Climatic Environments of the Past | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 355 | Introduction to Air Quality | 3 |
| ATM OCN 425 | Global Climate Processes | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 520 | Bioclimatology | 3 |
| ATM OCN/PLANTSCI 532 | Environmental Biophysics | 3 |
| BSE 365 | Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems | 3 |
| BSE/ENVIR ST 367 | Renewable Energy Systems | 3 |
| BSE 460 | Biorefining: Energy and Products from Renewable Resources | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 311 | Hydroscience | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 320 | Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 324 | Environmental Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CIV ENGR/G L E 421 | Environmental Sustainability Engineering | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 423 | Air Pollution Effects, Measurement and Control | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/POP HLTH 502 | Air Pollution and Human Health | 3 |
| GEOG/GEOSCI 320 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOG/ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 332 | Global Warming: Science and Impacts | 3 |
| GEOG/BOTANY 338 | Environmental Biogeography | 3 |
| GEOG/GEOSCI 420 | Glacial and Pleistocene Geology | 3 |
| GEOSCI 304 | Geobiology | 3 |
| GEOSCI 551 | Paleoceanography | 3 |
| GEOSCI/G L E 627 | Hydrogeology | 3-4 |
| GEOSCI/G L E 629 | Contaminant Hydrogeology | 3 |
| POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 471 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 302 | Meet Your Soil: Soil Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory | 1 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324 | Soils and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 327 | Environmental Monitoring and Soil Characterization | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 430 | Soil Pollution and Human Health | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451 | Environmental Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 621 | Soil and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/CIV ENGR/M&ENVTOX 631 | Toxicants in the Environment: Sources, Distribution, Fate, & Effects | 3 |
Geospatial Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATM OCN 575 | Climatological Analysis | 3-4 |
| ENVIR ST/CIV ENGR/LAND ARC 556 | Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 458 | Environmental Data Science | 3 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GEOG 378 | Introduction to Geocomputing | 4 |
| GEOG 523 | Advanced Paleoecology: Species Responses to Past Environmental Change | 3 |
| GEOG 560 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| GEOG 578 | GIS Applications | 4 |
| GEOG 579 | GIS and Spatial Analysis | 4 |
| GEOSCI/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/G L E 444 | Practical Applications of GPS Surveying | 2 |
| LAND ARC 311 | Introduction to Design Frameworks and Spatial Technologies | 2 |
| LAND ARC 511 | Geodesign Methods and Applications | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 585 | Using R for Soil and Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST/LAND ARC 695 | Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources | 3 |
Focused Electives
Students choosing the Focused Electives path must complete a total of 12 credits of Environmental Sciences Electives from one of the following categories (Ecology, Physical Environment, Geospatial Sciences, or Environmental Policy & Social Perspectives).
Ecology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL 370 | Grassland Ecology | 3 |
| BOTANY 455 | The Vegetation of Wisconsin | 4 |
| BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 460 | General Ecology | 4 |
| DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473 | Plant-Insect Interactions | 3 |
| ENTOM 450 | Basic and Applied Insect Ecology | 3 |
| ENTOM 490 | Biodiversity and Global Change | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 510 | Ecology of Fishes | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 511 | Ecology of Fishes Lab | 2 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360 | Extinction of Species | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 410 | Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 448 | Disturbance Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 520 | Ornithology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 521 | Birds of Southern Wisconsin | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 550 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 551 | Forest Ecology Lab | 1 |
| F&W ECOL/LAND ARC/ZOOLOGY 565 | Principles of Landscape Ecology | 2 |
| F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 660 | Climate Change Ecology | 3 |
| LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 361 | Wetlands Ecology | 3 |
| LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 581 | Prescribed Fire: Ecology and Implementation | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 300 | Cropping Systems | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 334 | Greenhouse Cultivation | 2 |
| PLANTSCI 335 | Greenhouse Cultivation Lab | 1 |
| SOIL SCI 323 | Soil Biology | 3 |
| ZOOLOGY 304 | Marine Biology | 2 |
| ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 315 | Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources | 2 |
| ZOOLOGY 316 | Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources | 2-3 |
| ZOOLOGY 320 | Field Marine Biology | 3 |
Physical Environment
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATM OCN 310 | Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG 322 | Polar Regions and Their Importance in the Global Environment | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG/GEOSCI 335 | Climatic Environments of the Past | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 355 | Introduction to Air Quality | 3 |
| ATM OCN 425 | Global Climate Processes | 3 |
| ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 520 | Bioclimatology | 3 |
| ATM OCN/PLANTSCI 532 | Environmental Biophysics | 3 |
| BSE 365 | Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems | 3 |
| BSE/ENVIR ST 367 | Renewable Energy Systems | 3 |
| BSE 460 | Biorefining: Energy and Products from Renewable Resources | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 311 | Hydroscience | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 320 | Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 324 | Environmental Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CIV ENGR/G L E 421 | Environmental Sustainability Engineering | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 423 | Air Pollution Effects, Measurement and Control | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/POP HLTH 502 | Air Pollution and Human Health | 3 |
| GEOG/GEOSCI 320 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOG/ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 332 | Global Warming: Science and Impacts | 3 |
| GEOG/BOTANY 338 | Environmental Biogeography | 3 |
| GEOG/GEOSCI 420 | Glacial and Pleistocene Geology | 3 |
| GEOSCI 304 | Geobiology | 3 |
| GEOSCI 551 | Paleoceanography | 3 |
| GEOSCI/G L E 627 | Hydrogeology | 3-4 |
| GEOSCI/G L E 629 | Contaminant Hydrogeology | 3 |
| POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 471 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 302 | Meet Your Soil: Soil Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory | 1 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324 | Soils and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 327 | Environmental Monitoring and Soil Characterization | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 430 | Soil Pollution and Human Health | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451 | Environmental Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 621 | Soil and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/CIV ENGR/M&ENVTOX 631 | Toxicants in the Environment: Sources, Distribution, Fate, & Effects | 3 |
Geospatial Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATM OCN 575 | Climatological Analysis | 3-4 |
| ENVIR ST/CIV ENGR/LAND ARC 556 | Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 458 | Environmental Data Science | 3 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GEOG 378 | Introduction to Geocomputing | 4 |
| GEOG 523 | Advanced Paleoecology: Species Responses to Past Environmental Change | 3 |
| GEOG 560 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| GEOG 578 | GIS Applications | 4 |
| GEOG 579 | GIS and Spatial Analysis | 4 |
| GEOSCI/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/G L E 444 | Practical Applications of GPS Surveying | 2 |
| LAND ARC 311 | Introduction to Design Frameworks and Spatial Technologies | 2 |
| LAND ARC 511 | Geodesign Methods and Applications | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 585 | Using R for Soil and Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST/LAND ARC 695 | Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources | 3 |
Environmental Policy & Social Perspectives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A A E/ENVIR ST 244 | The Environment and the Global Economy | 4 |
| A A E 246 | Climate Change Economics and Policy | 3 |
| A A E/ECON/ENVIR ST 343 | Environmental Economics | 3-4 |
| AMER IND/ENVIR ST 306 | Indigenous Peoples and the Environment | 3 |
| AMER IND/ENVIR ST/GEOG 345 | Caring for Nature in Native North America | 3 |
| C&E SOC/F&W ECOL/SOC 248 | Environment, Natural Resources, and Society | 3 |
| C&E SOC/CURRIC/ENVIR ST 405 | Education for Sustainable Communities | 3 |
| C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/GEOG 434 | People, Wildlife and Landscapes | 3 |
| C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/SOC 540 | Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 541 | Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice | 3 |
| ENVIR ST 349 | Climate Change Governance | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/GEOG 439 | US Environmental Policy and Regulation | 3-4 |
| ENVIR ST/PHILOS 441 | Environmental Ethics | 3-4 |
| GEOG/URB R PL 305 | Introduction to the City | 3-4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST 339 | Conservation and Climate Change - Local to International Strategies | 3-4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST/HISTORY 460 | American Environmental History | 4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST 537 | Culture and Environment | 4 |
| GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 411 | Energy Resources | 3 |
| LSC 340 | Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science | 3 |
| URB R PL/ECON/ENVIR ST/POLI SCI 449 | Government and Natural Resources | 3-4 |
Capstone
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BOTANY/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 516 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 515 | Hydroclimatology for Water Resources Management | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/SOIL SCI 575 | Assessment of Environmental Impact | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/A A E 430 | Decision Methods for Natural Resource Managers | 3 |
| LAND ARC 668 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH 315 | Plant Microbiomes | 4 |
| PLANTSCI 510 | Senior Capstone Experience | 2 |
| SOIL SCI 486 | Soil Management | 3 |
Residence & Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all major courses
- 2.000 GPA and 15 credits of upper level major courses taken in residence1
- 15 credits in the major taken on the UW–Madison campus
- 1
Major courses numbered 300 through 699 are considered upper level.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is not available in Environmental Sciences.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of Environmental Science fundamentals in the context of biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and physics.
- Demonstrate a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the ecological relationships (material and energetic) between organisms, both as individuals and in groups, and their biotic and abiotic environment. This may include processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms.
- Demonstrate a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the physical, largely abiotic, conditions (e.g. climate, water, soil, air, noise, greenspace, etc.) of the environment. The physical environment can include natural or managed settings such as urban environments.
- Demonstrate a quantitative and qualitative understanding of geospatial processes and information as it relates to the environment including how to collect, interpret, and analyze geospatial information regarding the features of the Earth's surface. These technologies may include geographic information systems (GIS), the global positioning system (GPS), digital maps, and satellite based remote sensing.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of relationships that focus on the organization and implementation of laws, regulations, and other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues and sustainability and their effect on society. This includes how human behaviors influences, and are also influenced by, the natural environment.
- Apply skills in critical thinking, problem identification and resolution of a complex environmental issues that require interdisciplinary solutions and team-based work.
- Articulate the role of environmental science in one or more focused areas of a specific environmental discipline (e.g. geology, soils, atmosphere, water, plants, animals).
- Demonstrate expertise in organizing and presenting (written and oral) scientific information to both lay and professional audiences.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 103 or 109 | 4 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| MATH 114 | 5 | MATH 221 | 5 |
| Language Requirement | 4 | Environmental Sciences Foundation Course | 3 |
| Comm A | 3 | Language Requirement | 4 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 or BOTANY 130 | 5 | BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101 & BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102 (or BIOLOGY 152) | 5 |
| CHEM 341, 343, or 561 | 3 | STAT 371 | 3 |
| Social Science Course | 3 | Humanities/Ethnic Studies Course | 4 |
| Literature Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHYSICS 207, 201, or 103 | 5 | Major Core Course | 3 |
| Major Core Course | 3 | Major Core Course | 4 |
| Major Core Course | 3 | Literature Course | 3 |
| Social Science Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course | 3 | Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course | 3 |
| Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course | 3 | Social Science Course | 3 |
| Capstone | 3 | Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | Humanities Course | 3 |
| Social Science Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Major
Please follow the process described on the Environmental Sciences website.
Any Letters & Science student interested in the Environmental Sciences major should the Undergraduate Academic Advising Manager to set up an appointment to explore or declare the major.
Careers
A major in Environmental Sciences serves as excellent preparation for careers of great diversity, including environmental modeling, agricultural scientist, botanist, ecologist, park ranger, agricultural technician, air and water quality manager, environmental analyst, air pollution analyst, environmental consultant, environmental educator, GIS analyst, project manager, hazardous waste manager, hydrologist, environmental lawyer, soil conservation technician, and natural resource specialist. For more info about careers, please visit our website.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students