Environmental Science

Environmental Science

Caroline A. Masiello
Undergraduate Advisor, major concentration in Earth Science
masiello@rice.edu

Julia K. Morgan
Undergraduate Advisor, major concentration in Earth Science
morganj@rice.edu

Amy Dunham
Undergraduate Advisor, major concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
aed4@rice.edu

Evan Siemann
Undergraduate Advisor, major concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
siemann@rice.edu

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that explores the interconnection between humans and the natural environment. Modern environmental issues reflect the complex interactions of natural and social systems at global and local scales, and the resulting impacts on the Earth have led many to ask whether humankind has entered into a new epoch in the planet’s history, one in which humans are now a key driver in the change of Earth systems. The Environmental Science program fosters the critical, integrative thinking required to better understand the complexities of this human-nature relationship and the resultant scales of impact, and to assess and develop solutions that meet intergenerational human needs without compromising the natural systems upon which humans depend.  

The Environmental Science program offers a major in Environmental Science for both the BA and BS degrees, along with two paths, a major concentration in Earth Science, or a major concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The program includes a number of interdisciplinary courses for students interested in broadening their understanding of environmental issues. These courses often are team-taught by faculty from various areas of study. 

Students desiring a major with an environmental emphasis have multiple options:  

  • environmental science (the aforementioned major, earned through the pursuit of the BA or BS degree) 
  • environmental engineering (an area of specialization within the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BSChE) degree)
  • environmental engineering (a major concentration within the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in Civil and Environmental Engineering)
  • environmental engineering (an area of specialization within the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) degree)
  • environmental earth science (an area of specialization within the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences)

Students seeking information or advice on the Environmental Science major should contact:

  • Dr. Caroline A. Masiello (masiello@rice.edu) for the major concentration in Earth Science, or
  • Dr. Evan Siemann (siemann@rice.edu) for the major concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 

Bachelor's Programs

Environmental Science does not currently offer an academic program at the graduate level.

Environmental Science Major Advisors

Caroline A. Masiello, Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences
Julia K. Morgan, Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences
Amy E. Dunham, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Evan Siemann, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

For Rice University degree-granting programs:
To view the list of official course offerings, please see Rice’s Course Catalog
To view the most recent semester’s course schedule, please see Rice's Course Schedule

Description and Code Legend

Note: Internally the university uses the following descriptions, codes, and abbreviations for this academic program. The following is a quick reference: 

Course Catalog/Schedule

  • Course offerings/subject code: Courses from various subjects may apply towards this program

Department (or Program) Description and Code

  • Environmental Studies: ENST

Undergraduate Degree Descriptions and Codes

  • Bachelor of Arts degree: BA 
  • Bachelor of Science degree: BS 

Undergraduate Major Description and Code

  • Major in Environmental Science (both the BA and BS Degrees): ENVS 

Undergraduate Major Concentration Descriptions and Codes

  • Major concentration in Earth Science (both the BA and BS Degrees): ESEA 
  • Major concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (both the BA and BS Degrees): ESEC 

CIP Code and Description1

  • ENVS Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 03.0104 - Environmental Science
  • ESEA Major Concentration: CIP Code/Title: 40.0601 - Geology/Earth Science, General 
  • ESEC Major Concentration: CIP Code/Title: 26.1310 - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology