COURSE CURRICULUM

This Environmental Sciences (Soils and Watersheds option) curriculum at University of New Hampshire is a comprehensive 106–110 credit program that systematically builds from foundational science to advanced environmental problem-solving focused on land–water interactions, preparing students for technical and interdisciplinary careers in environmental management. The program begins with introductory courses like NR 400, NR 403, and NR 435/437 to establish core awareness of sustainability and conservation issues, followed by a strong scientific base including biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics, ensuring students develop analytical and quantitative skills essential for environmental science. The “Earth and its Systems” core expands this knowledge into key environmental domains such as geology, freshwater systems, soils, climate, ecology, and environmental policy, helping students understand how natural systems function and how human activities influence them. The Environmental Toolkit component emphasizes practical and technical skills such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, environmental modeling, and quantitative ecology, which are highly valued in modern environmental careers. In the advanced stage, the Soils and Watersheds focus dives deeper into soil chemistry, watershed management, ecosystem processes, and biogeochemistry, along with specialized topics like hydrology, environmental change, and water quality management, enabling students to analyze how soil and water systems interact under natural and human pressures. A key feature is the capstone experience, where students complete research, internships, or field-based projects to apply their learning to real-world environmental challenges. Additionally, 15–16 credits of flexible coursework allow students to pursue minors, study abroad, or specialized interests. Overall, this program combines scientific depth, technical expertise, and hands-on experience, preparing graduates for careers in environmental consulting, water resource management, sustainability, research, and government agencies, or for advanced graduate study in environmental sciences.