COURSE CURRICULUM

The Environmental Sciences (Earth Systems option) major requirements at University of New Hampshire show that this is a scientifically rigorous and quantitatively strong program, positioned between pure environmental science and engineering, making it ideal for students who want deep technical understanding without going fully into engineering design. The foundation is quite heavy in core STEM subjects, including calculus (MATH 425, 426), physics (PHYS 407, 408), chemistry (CHEM 403/404 or 405), biology (BIOL 411/412), and statistics, which means you must be comfortable with math and analytical thinking from the start. The program then builds into environmental science fundamentals through courses like NR 403 and specialized Earth science subjects such as ESCI 401 (Dynamic Earth), ESCI 561 (Landscape Evolution), mineralogy, and biogeosciences, helping you understand how Earth systems function across geological and environmental scales. A major strength of this option is its focus on key technical areas like hydrology (water systems), geochemistry (chemical processes in Earth), and geospatial analysis (GIS), which are highly valuable skills in environmental careers. The “Methods” section adds practical tools such as GIS, environmental techniques, and quantitative modeling, while the option to choose advanced courses like data science, programming (Python), differential equations, or geophysics allows you to specialize further in data-driven environmental analysis. Compared to Environmental Engineering, this program is slightly less focused on infrastructure design but still quite technical, and compared to Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, it is much more science- and math-intensive with less emphasis on policy or social aspects. The capstone experience ensures you apply your knowledge to real-world problems, often involving research or data analysis. Overall, this degree is best suited for students interested in climate science, hydrology, geochemistry, environmental data analysis, or research careers, and it provides strong preparation for graduate studies or technical roles in environmental consulting, government agencies, and scientific research.