Where Science Meets Sustainability: Explore UNC Asheville’s Environmental Science Major
At the intersection of science, policy, and innovation, UNC Asheville’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science equips you to tackle today’s most pressing environmental challenges. Through a liberal arts lens, you’ll explore the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, drawing from biology, geology, chemistry, economics, public policy, and other natural and social sciences. Our program blends rigorous coursework with hands-on fieldwork, undergraduate research, and faculty mentorship—preparing you to design sustainable solutions, influence environmental policy, and lead change across diverse sectors in the public and private spheres.
The Environmental Science major integrates scientific, social, and economic perspectives to address environmental challenges and develop sustainable solutions. Students can choose from concentrations in Geoscience, Ecology, Environmental Management and Policy, Earth Science with 9–12 teaching licensure, or create an individualized concentration tailored to their interests.
Graduates of UNC Asheville’s Environmental Science program pursue careers across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. They work as environmental consultants, scientists, policy analysts, educators, and conservation specialists with organizations ranging from government agencies and engineering firms to environmental nonprofits and energy companies. Many also continue their education in competitive graduate programs, advancing their expertise in areas such as ecology, geoscience, environmental policy, and sustainability.
At UNC Asheville, undergraduate research is a hands-on, faculty-mentored experience where students design and conduct original projects in the sciences, humanities, and arts. Recognized nationally for excellence, the program empowers students to explore their passions, develop critical skills, and share their work through publications, conferences, and campus symposia. With opportunities across every discipline, undergraduate research prepares students to think deeply, communicate effectively, and make meaningful contributions—skills that set them apart in graduate school, careers, and beyond.
Explore the Natural and the Sustainable:
Success in environmental science begins with curiosity, a passion for discovery, and the commitment to create solutions that protect and restore our planet.
My advice to current UNCA ENVR students is to not rule any opportunity out. Even if it doesn’t seem to be a direct route to where you want to be, something may present itself that ultimately leads you to something great. Try different things, like undergrad research and internships that challenge you and give you real, useful skills, and know your worth when pursuing jobs after graduation.
T. Blake Hudson ‘23
Environmental Science Concentrations
Environmental Science Concentrations
Choose Your Path to Success
Building on a core foundation in environmental science, UNC Asheville students can choose from several concentrations to align their studies with their specific interests and career goals. These options include Ecology, Environmental Management and Policy, Geoscience, and Earth Science with Teacher Licensure, as well as an Individual Concentration that allows students to design a path tailored to their unique aspirations. Each concentration features a focused set of courses that prepares students for the complex work they’ll do in the field—whether that’s conducting ecological research, shaping environmental policy, analyzing earth systems, or teaching the next generation of scientists.
Students in UNC Asheville’s Environmental Science program apply their knowledge to protect and sustain our planet. From Sarah Harney (’25), who monitored stream health as a field technician intern with the Environmental Quality Institute, to students in the Outdoor Recreation class gaining hands-on experience through river cleanups and trail building, the program blends classroom learning with real-world impact. With career-focused courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and field identification, and a 15-year Fiske Guide to Colleges distinction for excellence, UNC Asheville equips graduates to thrive in sustainability, conservation, and policy roles.
Students in Lecturer Ashley Case's Experiential Learning in Ecology class worked with Riverlink, a local nonprofit focused on the conservation of the French Broad River and its watershed, to repair a section of riverbank that was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene.
UNC Asheville environmental studies major Sarah Harney spent a semester as the field technician intern for Environmental Quality Institute, learning the ins and outs of stream quality monitoring for a nonprofit organization. She collected, identified, and quantified aquatic insects that act as indicators of stream health and pollution levels.
UNC Asheville Fish Ecology students partnered with faculty and local organizations in fall 2023 for a hands-on learning experience in the French Broad River. Through activities like snorkeling, seine netting, species identification, and habitat restoration, students applied classroom knowledge to real-world environmental work. The program highlights UNC Asheville’s commitment to experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
Two student-led initiatives received Green Grants in spring 2023 to support campus and local environmental improvements. One project, developed by Professor Ashley Case’s Applied Ecology class, funded the planting of native species to restore ecological function along the Reed Creek Greenway. The other, led by UNC Asheville’s Audubon chapter, purchased window decals to reduce bird collisions on campus. These efforts highlight the university’s commitment to sustainability, student activism, and community-based ecological stewardship
The Student Environmental Center (SEC) is a student-funded and student-run organization that bridges campus and community to engage in environmental conversation, advocacy, and action. The SEC serves as a hub for sustainability initiatives, peer-to-peer education, and community outreach, supporting students in developing and leading real-world projects that promote ecological stewardship and university sustainability efforts
UNC Asheville environmental science faculty members are experts in a wide range of environmental fields, including ecology, conservation biology, geology, hydrology, environmental policy, and environmental justice. Our faculty are dedicated to providing students with the tools they need to succeed in their academic and professional careers.
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.
