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The Environmental Science and Technology program educates students in the science, protection, and restoration of our natural resources—air, water, land, and ecosystems—as well as the sustainable design of the built environment. Environmental problems are interdisciplinary in nature. Our students develop a foundation in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, statistics, communication skills, and apply this knowledge in the study and solution of environmental problems. We balance theory with hands-on practice, and include considerable work outdoors in our spectacular local environment.

In the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Technology students choose either the Pollution Monitoring and Control option, which focuses on pollution prevention as well as investigation and cleanup, or the Ecosystem Restoration option, which focuses on strategies for managing and restoring natural resources. The program culminates with our capstone course, in which students work in small groups to plan, carry out a real-life project, and present their results to off-campus clients. In addition to providing students with a chance to showcase the knowledge and abilities they have acquired through their studies, students learn how to deal with the challenges of real-life project work.

The Environmental Science minor is an invaluable asset to students who are majoring in biology, chemistry, or geology and planning to work in an environmental profession.

Why study environmental science at CMU?

CMU’s Environmental Science program balances theory with hands-on practice. A large portion of the program is devoted to off-campus field work in our spectacular local environment. Our classes take frequent field trips to deserts, mountains, and major rivers on the public lands that surround Grand Junction. Our faculty have a variety of specialties, enabling our students to gain experiences in a wide variety of areas. Class sizes are small, leading to quality interactions with the instructors.

There are two options to choose from within the Environmental Science and Technology degree: Ecosystem Restoration focuses on strategies for managing natural resources; in addition to the core courses, students complete coursework in Soils & Sustainability, Restoration Ecology, Environmental Politics, Plant Biology, and other Environmental Science Restrictive Elective courses. Pollution Monitoring and Control focuses on pollution prevention as well as investigation and cleanup; in addition to the core courses, students complete coursework in Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Regulatory Compliance, Applied Atmospheric Science, Pollution Investigation & Monitoring, Geology, and other Environmental Science Restrictive Elective courses.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor in Environmental Science and Technology

The Environmental Science and Technology minor educates students in the science, protection, and restoration of our natural resources—air, water, land, and ecosystems.

Academic Requirements for Minor in Environmental Science and Technology

Graduates of CMU's Environmental Science and Technology programs are employed as environmental professionals in consulting firms, industry, non-profit organizations, and city, county, state, and federal government agencies (e.g., U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Geological Survey). Some graduates continue their studies in graduate school (e.g., Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, University of Denver).

#10

Best Colleges for Environmental Science

Ranked in Grad Reports

#23

Best Bachelor's Degrees in Environmental Science

Ranked by Study.com

70%

Job Placement

Environmental science graduates have job placements at graduation

College to Career

The experience Jordan received through the environmental science program's many outdoor labs and fieldwork opportunities prepared him for the variety of fieldwork he now conducts in his career.

More about this graduate

Environmental Science and Technology student learning outcomes

Students graduating with this degree will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of terminology, concepts, theories, and practices in environmental science. (Specialized knowledge)
  • Demonstrate the ability to design an environmental study. (Quantitative skills, critical thinking skills)
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze quantitative environmental data, effectively translate data into graphs or tables, and interpret the results. (Quantitative skills, critical thinking skills)
  • Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate tools, technology, and methods for measuring and analyzing environmental data. (Technology skills)
  • Identify and evaluate assumptions, hypotheses, alternative views on environmental problems, then articulate implications and form conclusions. (Critical thinking)
  • Construct an organized argument (oral and written) supported by current research on a technical issue in environmental science appropriate for a specialized audience. (Communication skills)
  • Complete a field-based project that evaluates and proposes a solution for a local problem or need by effectively synthesizing applicable concepts from environmental science and related disciplines. (Applied learning)

Please click here for a table showing in which courses these objectives will be addressed.