Earth and Environmental Sciences students dig on beach.

Earth and Environmental Sciences

B.S. Degree with a major in Earth and Environmental Sciences

Explore the Planet, Shape the Future

At UMF, Earth & Environmental Sciences students join a close-knit community, gaining hands-on skills in field observation, sampling, and analysis.

At the University of Maine at Farmington, Earth and Environmental Sciences students work closely with professors in classrooms, labs, and the field. You’ll conduct real-world research in nearby forests, lakes, rivers, mountains, and coastal areas, gaining valuable skills while exploring diverse environments.

The program combines in-the-field and in-the-lab investigations to help you understand the Earth’s past, present, and future systems. You’ll also have opportunities for hands-on internships, building both technical and communication skills — including presenting your work in public and professional settings — to prepare you for a successful career in science.

Question? Ask a professor.

Save more than $5,500 per year in tuition.

Through the NEBHE Tuition Break program, students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont receive a $5,670 tuition discount on all UMF degree programs.
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UMF students taking a walk through the woods in the fall
UMF students taking a walk through the woods in the fall

UMF Named a 2024 Top Green College

The University of Maine at Farmington has been recognized as a 2024 “Top Green College” by The Princeton Review for its leadership in sustainability. From recycling and renewable energy to LEED-certified buildings and strong environmental academic programs, UMF has made sustainability a core value.

Key initiatives include the Sustainable Campus Coalition, founded in 2001, and the campus biomass heating plant, which heats 85% of campus with locally sourced wood chips, cutting carbon emissions by 4,000 tons a year. A second biomass boiler, added in 2023, now heats campus hot water in warmer months, further reducing fossil fuel use and supporting the local economy.

Two Paths, One Passion for Discovery

UMF’s Earth and Environmental Sciences program offers two hands-on, field-focused concentrations: Geology and Environmental Science.

The Geology concentration explores the processes that shape our planet, with field experiences ranging from local sites to geologically rich destinations like Newfoundland, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada. Graduates often pursue careers in mineral exploration, water resource management, education, and GIS analysis.

The Environmental Science concentration takes a flexible, interdisciplinary approach grounded in natural sciences and mathematics, allowing for specialized study. Career opportunities include lake conservation, environmental assessment, endangered species protection, sustainable agriculture, and air quality or energy resource management, as well as preparation for graduate school.

What Can I Do With A Degree in Earth & Environmental Science?

With a degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from UMF, you have a wide range of career and further-study options. Graduates often pursue roles such as:

  • Environmental consultant or analyst

  • Geologist or mineral resource specialist

  • Hydrologist or water resource manager

  • GIS analyst or cartographer

  • Conservation scientist or wildlife/environmental manager

  • Park or marine resource manager

  • Environmental educator or policy specialist

Professor and students picking berries off of a tree
Professor and students picking berries off of a tree

Be the Change: Solve Environmental Challenges

No matter which Earth and Environmental Sciences concentration you choose, UMF prepares you to address the pressing resource, energy, and environmental issues of today.

You’ll graduate as an environmentally literate scientist, equipped with the skills and knowledge to use scientific approaches to drive positive social and environmental change.

Plant stand with dirt and growing plants coming out of it outside

UMF: Affordable and Eco-Friendly

The University of Maine at Farmington was ranked the #4 Most Affordable Eco-Friendly College in the U.S. by Best Choice Colleges for 2021–2022. UMF combines a commitment to sustainability with accessible tuition, offering LEED-certified buildings, a biomass heating facility, geothermal wells, and an on-campus community vegetable garden. Whether you want a career in environmentalism or live sustainably, UMF provides hands-on, eco-friendly experiences at an affordable cost.

Contact Us to Get Started!

Office of Admissions
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
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