Environmental Science

Environmental Science investigates the physical processes that shape our planet and the ways we can respond to today’s environmental challenges. You will study dynamic Earth systems—from soils and aquifers to climate and natural hazards, using tools like GIS, remote sensing, and field-based research. Courses combine theory, lab work, and real-world applications to help you understand and model environmental change. With a strong focus on sustainability and resilience, this field prepares you to tackle pressing issues like climate adaptation, resource management, and ecosystem protection.

Opening up Environmental Science courses

Starting in Environmental Science is simple, as you can take any of the 100-level courses. If you want to take a 200-level course, you will need to take Sustainability Essentials I. If you want to take a 300-level, you will have to have done both Sustainability Essentials I and Sustainability Essentials II.

Courses in Environmental Science

Gateway

Sustainability Essentials I

Provides key concepts in physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics and modelling necessary for sustainability. Uses a case study to connect concepts to real‑world sustainability challenges and prepares students for 200‑level sustainability courses.

Gateway

Sustainability Essentials II

Builds on Sustainability Essentials I. Applies tools and knowledge to a real‑world sustainability case study and allows students to delve deeper into aspects connected to their field of interest.

100-level

Dynamic Earth

This course offers an in-depth introduction to Earth Science. We will move from observations and phenomena, to focusing on the dynamic interactions between the deep earth, the lithosphere, and hydrosphere. We will explore how these spheres are interconnected through key cycles and their role in shaping Earth’s surface. Highlights of the course are in/outdoor labs and a multi-day field excursion where you’ll experience Earth Science in action.

100-level

Natural Hazards, Risks & Adaptations

How do we weigh the risks of flood events and ecosystem collapses caused by climate change against mining disasters resulting from the extraction of the precious ores needed to make the batteries that store solar energy? This course covers the geosciences principles and analytical tools needed to understand what makes some ‘natural’ disasters more likely or more consequential than others, and thus what actions are best at reducing the risk to societies and ecosystems from events ranging from earthquakes to droughts to toxic algae blooms.

200-level

Soils & Aquifers

Soils and aquifers are vital natural resources, especially in the face of climate change and the growing pressure on food and water availability. You will explore both systems through hands-on fieldwork and lab-based analyses. The first part of the course focuses on soil formation, properties, health, and remediation strategies. The second part of the course shifts to seismic and electromagnetic mapping of physical properties of local fresh/salt-water aquifers to assess geothermal energy and coastal defense strategies as well as threats to freshwater supplies.

200-level

Earth Observation

Geospatial data and images from satellites or drones are widely used to explore and model changes in the Earth’s system at various scales. In this course you will gain hands-on experience with GIS and data integration techniques. By combining data from different fields you’ll uncover how human actions can impact global ecosystems and climate, and how tools like GIS can promote sustainable practices like soil/water governance and coastal protection planning. For the courses’ finale, you will investigate an earth science-focused research question.

200-level

Earth System Science Tools

This course explores how Earth’s systems—the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere—interact and change over time, shaping our climate. You’ll get hands-on basic system modelling experience and learn how scientists use proxies, and (isotope) tracers to study past and future climates. We’ll also look at major events like earthquakes, asteroid impacts, and human influence on the Earths system. The course finishes with a multi-day field trip with a special focus on the pathways of the greenhouse gas CO₂.

300-level

Environmental Biogeochemistry

The role and properties of natural waters on earth will be the at center of this course. The interactions with rocks, soils, and minerals under near-surface conditions will be investigated to understand biogeochemical processes and cycles and their potential for nature-based solutions. Examples are weathering, mineral formation, absorption, water treatment technologies and resource recovery. Geochemist Workbench and Visual Minteq applications will support course work. A joint case study will be conducted for potential submission to a professional earth science conference.

300-level

Earth’s Resources

This course takes “deep dives” into cutting-edge geoscience research to tackle real-world resource and environmental challenges—like safely storing nuclear or electronic waste underground, using aquifers for geothermal energy, or capturing and storing CO₂. In-depth literature reviews by individual students investigate the relevant state of the art drawing from areas like hydrology, geochemistry, seismology, climate science, soil and rock mechanics, and GIS modeling. Unified class reports will be submitted for presentation to a professional earth science conference.

Also consider these options:

Environment & Sustainability

The other fields within the Environment & Sustainability cluster.

Environment & Sustainability

Explore Heritage, Art & Museums!

To discover how culture and conservation come together to tell the story of our changing planet.

Heritage, Art & Museums

Explore Cognitive Science!

To understand how people perceive, value, and respond to environmental change.

Cognitive Science

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The UCR Program Builder is designed to help you easily plan your academic program. Step by step, the tool guides you through selecting courses, building a balanced curriculum, and meeting UCR’s academic requirements.

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The UCR Program Builder is designed to help you easily plan your academic program. Step by step, the tool guides you through selecting courses, building a balanced curriculum, and meeting UCR’s academic requirements.

Try the Program Builder

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Environmental Science

Environmental Science

Opening up Environmental Science courses

Courses in Environmental Science

Courses in Environmental Science

Sustainability Essentials I

Sustainability Essentials I

Sustainability Essentials II

Sustainability Essentials II

Dynamic Earth

Dynamic Earth

Natural Hazards, Risks & Adaptations

Natural Hazards, Risks & Adaptations

Soils & Aquifers

Soils & Aquifers

Earth Observation

Earth Observation

Earth System Science Tools

Earth System Science Tools

Environmental Biogeochemistry

Environmental Biogeochemistry

Earth’s Resources

Earth’s Resources

Also consider these options:

Also consider these options:

Environment & Sustainability

Environment & Sustainability

Explore Heritage, Art & Museums!

Explore Heritage, Art & Museums!

Explore Cognitive Science!

Explore Cognitive Science!