Environmental Science Concentrations
Choose Your Path to Success
UNC Asheville offers multiple pathways for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science through specialized concentrations. Students can choose from the Geoscience Concentration, the Ecology Concentration, the Environmental Management and Policy Concentration, or opt for an Individualized Concentration—each designed to build a robust interdisciplinary foundation while aligning with distinct academic interests and career trajectories.
Ecology
The Ecology Concentration within UNC Asheville’s Environmental Science program focuses on the study of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the interactions between organisms and their environments. Students explore topics such as conservation biology, restoration ecology, freshwater ecosystems, and landscape analysis while gaining valuable field and research experience. This concentration provides a strong foundation for careers in ecological research, natural resource management, conservation, environmental education, or pursuing graduate studies in related fields.
Environmental Management and Policy
Blending science, economics, politics, and social perspectives, UNC Asheville’s Environmental Management and Policy concentration equips students to address complex environmental challenges. Coursework in land economics, environmental politics, public policy, and climate finance builds practical skills in policy analysis and strategic planning, preparing graduates for careers in resource management, governance, consulting, or advanced policy studies.
Geoscience
The Geoscience Concentration in UNC Asheville’s Environmental Science program equips students with a deep understanding of earth systems through coursework in mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, soils, hydrology, and water quality. All concentrators complete foundational lab-based courses, then tailor their studies with electives focused on areas such as soils, mineral processing, economic geology, or hydrologic systems. This concentration lays the groundwork for careers or further study in environmental geology, water resource management, soil conservation, or geological research.
Individual Concentration
The Individualized Concentration allows Environmental Science majors to design a custom curriculum centered on a theme that isn’t addressed by the other concentrations. Students complete the Environmental Science core and then work closely with the department chair to select specialized coursework tailored to their interests. Past examples of individualized pathways include environmental education, environmental planning, environmental journalism, and human ecology.
Earth Science with Teacher Licensure
The Environmental Science with Teacher Licensure concentration allows students to earn a B.S. while completing the requirements to become licensed 9–12 Earth Science teachers in North Carolina. Combining Environmental Science with Education courses, fieldwork, and a full semester of student teaching, this pathway equips graduates with both deep content knowledge and practical classroom experience to step confidently into secondary science teaching roles.
Ready for What's Next?
By earning your Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at UNC Asheville, you’ll join a community of students and faculty who are committed to environmental education and sustainability. Through the environmental science major, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a variety of careers in environmental sustainability, conservation, policy, and more.