
Environmental Science BS
New York, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Let's face it—our planet needs scientists who know how to reduce air pollution, restore wetlands, protect national parks, address climate change … the list goes on and on. Some day that person could be you, especially if you're passionate about the environment, you're excited about using science and math to solve complicated problems, and you want a job that lets you travel the world and explore the great outdoors.
What will I learn?
As an environmental science major, you'll learn how to use chemistry, calculus, statistics, and other disciplines to understand and improve the environment. Typical courses and labs cover ecology, environmental engineering, wildlife management, plant biology, geographic information systems (GIS), and related topics. As you learn how to collect, analyze, interpret, and share environmental data, you'll gain confidence in the tools and techniques you’ll need throughout your career.
Environmental Sustainability vs. Environmental Studies vs. Environmental Science
- Environmental Sustainability: The bachelor of arts degree (BA) is designed to incorporate a strong foundation in the social sciences and humanities with a good foundation in the natural sciences.
- Environmental Studies: The bachelor of science degree (BS) is designed to incorporate a strong foundation in the natural sciences with a good foundation in the social sciences and humanities.
- Environmental Science: The bachelor of science degree (BS) is designed to incorporate a strong foundation in biological, physical, chemical, mathematics, statistics, and geospatial techniques.
What can I do outside of class?
Ready for hands-on experience and networking opportunities? Here's what you can do at UB.
- Internships: The environmental internships offered through our department are focused on four areas: environmental resources, policy, education, and sustainability. We currently coordinate with more than 70 organizations for student placement. More than one-third of these organizations have hired our students for either part-time or full-time positions
- Study abroad: Explore rainforests, glaciers, coral reefs, and other environments around the world, and see firsthand how scientists are protecting our planet.
- Research: With close access to professors in your department and throughout UB, you may have opportunities to work on projects related to ecology, climate, sustainability, and other highly relevant issues.
- Student groups and clubs: You’ll find a variety of groups committed to the environment, sustainability, and the outdoors.
- Letchworth Teaching Forest: Yes, there is a 34-acre forest right on campus, where you can see classroom concepts at work in nature.
Career Opportunities
Students graduating from this program generally seek professional positions in the areas of environmental engineering, geographic information systems, pollution control, remediation, and ecological restoration, and find these opportunities in a wide range of governmental, non-profit, and private organizations. This program highlights experimental learning through field-based coursework and ecology expeditions (national and international), which prepares our graduates for work as environmental consultants, government regulation enforcement, health and safety, pollution cleanup, mapping/cartography/remote sense and so much more.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans, and is provided through many different agencies including federal and state governments as well as individual departments at UB.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Scholarships
- I Applied, What’s Next?
- Special and Unusual Circumstances
You must meet the following basic criteria to be eligible for federal financial aid:
General Eligibility Requirements
- Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen;
- Have a valid Social Security number unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau;
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment (matriculated) as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible for Direct Loan program funds and at in at least 3 credit hours for Pell Grant funds (repeated coursework may not be counted in enrollment in some instances);
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the University at Buffalo;
- Sign a certifying statement on the FAFSA stating that:
- You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant and
- You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes;
- Show you are qualified to obtain a college education by:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives; AND
- Not be in default on a Federal Student Aid loan.
Citizenship Verification
Students who indicate that they are U.S. Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens on the FAFSA and who cannot have their citizenship status confirmed through the FAFSA application process will be required to complete the UB Citizenship Verification process.
To complete the verification, you will need to complete the Citizenship Verification form and present the original documentation proving your citizenship status as listed on the form to our office.
Students completing this process should also contact the Social Security Administration to update its database to avoid this requirement in the future.
High School Transcript or Equivalent Verification
For federal financial aid, you must provide one of the following if you are a first-time student or a transfer student with less than 24 earned credit hours:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the ability-to-benefit alternatives.
If your final high school transcript is not on file with the Office of Admissions on the first day of classes of your first term, the processing of your awards may be delayed.
For all New York State financial aid awards, a final official high school transcript from a U.S. high school, or an equivalent recognized by New York State, must be on file at UB by the first day of classes of the term to which the award is to be applied. Failure to meet this deadline will result in an ineligible status for that term. Eligibility may be regained in subsequent terms once the transcript is received.
Dependency Status
For purposes of Financial Aid, all students are considered either Dependent or Independent. Dependent students are required to provide parent information on their FAFSA. Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student.
Unusual Enrollment History
If you have enrolled in and received federal financial aid at multiple institutions over the last 4 years, UB may request official transcripts from those institutions.
Renewed Eligibility After a Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
If you have applied for or have received a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge of your federal student loans or TEACH Grant service obligation, you will not be eligible to receive a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant in the future unless:
- You obtain a certification from a physician that you can engage in substantial gainful activity; and
- You sign a statement acknowledging that the new loan or TEACH Grant service obligation cannot be discharged in the future based on any injury or illness present at the time the new loan or TEACH Grant is made unless your condition substantially deteriorates so that you are again totally and permanently disabled.
In addition, if you are approved for TPD discharge based on SSA documentation or a physician’s certification, and you request a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant during your 3-year post-discharge monitoring period, you must resume repayment on the previously discharged loans or acknowledge that you are once again subject to the terms of your TEACH Grant service obligation before you can receive the new loan or TEACH Grant.