Environment, Earth & Natural Resources Degrees

S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Explore, protect, and shape the natural world.

Sustainability meets action in these degree programs. Whether you want to restore wetlands, manage forests, track and predict climate patterns, protect wildlife, design sustainable communities, or shape environmental policy—Utah State University has a program for you. These degrees blend science, technology, and real-world experience to match your goals and prepare you for careers that make a difference for yourself, your community, and the planet.

From the microscopic to the global scale, our programs connect classroom learning with outdoor labs, field research, internships, and engaging research and creative opportunities focused on real-world challenges. You’ll gain the technical, analytical, and communication skills to lead in conservation, resource management, environmental law, sustainability planning, environmental science teaching, and more.

These programs are a great fit for students who:

  • Are passionate about nature, science, and sustainability
  • Enjoy learning through outdoor, hands-on experiences
  • Want to tackle global challenges like climate change, xloss, and land use
  • See themselves working in government, nonprofits, education, consulting, or field science

Would you like more information? We can help!

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Text Us: 435-554-8830 | Email Us: qanr.info@usu.edu
 

Undergraduate Degrees

Climate Science (BS)

The Climate Science Degree (CSD) program integrates basic and applied principles of meteorology, climatology with environmental physics, which are concerned with how natural laws determine the climate. Physical oceanography and land surface physics are al...

Conservation and Restoration Ecology (BS)

Gain a solid understanding of biological sciences while you learn to leverage ecological principles to maintain healthy ecosystems and restore forests, rangelands, wildlands, and grasslands that have been damaged over time.

Earth Science Teaching (BA) (BS)

The earth science composite teaching major prepares students to teach earth science in secondary schools. Coursework integrates geology, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics in the study of our natural surroundings.

Environmental Geoscience (BA) (BS)

From climate change to clean water to sustainable energy sources, today’s biggest challenges demand experts who understand Earth’s systems and how humans interact with them. The Environmental Geoscience major at Utah State University gives you the science...

Environmental Planning

The Environmental Planning undergraduate degree prepares future professionals to recognize the reciprocal relationship between the biophysical attributes of a region and the human dimensions of settlement and culture

Environmental Studies (BS)

Study the complex opportunities, issues, and concerns that surround humans' relationship with nature in this interdisciplinary field, encompassing ecology, politics, economics, geography, and societal management.

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (BS)

Study the ecology, management, restoration, and protection of freshwater fish populations and their habitats in one of the few programs in the state, providing access to fieldwork in a range of aquatic ecosystems

Forest Ecology and Management (BS)

This degree lets you gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage public or private forests — including a broad understanding of biology, economies, and policies — in the only nationally accredited forestry program in the state.

Freshwater and Marine Ecology (BS)

At the heart of the FAME program is a deep exploration of how aquatic ecosystems work, how they respond to natural and human-driven changes, and how they support biodiversity and societal wellbeing. In this major, students explore the biological, chemical...

Geography (BS)

Explore the relationships between human society and the physical environment while delving into research about the earth's resources, whether you choose to specialize in mapping and information analysis or the dynamics of human behavior.

Horticulture - Statewide Campus Only (BS)

The Horticulture major is designed for students in USU’s regional campus system along the Wasatch Front. It is targeted to the field of ornamental horticulture and will prepare students for careers in arboriculture, nursery production, landscape manageme...

Landscape Architecture (BLA)

USU’s landscape architecture program is the 13th oldest landscape architecture program in the United States and is accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Landscape architecture is the design of land and buildings to achieve environmen...

Plant Science (BS)

USU is home to the only agriculturally focused plant science degree in the state. In this program, students focus on the research, production, and management of economically important plants. Students have access to faculty mentors and the opportunity to ...

Rangeland Ecology and Management (BS)

Learn how to manage public lands for recreational use while preserving the land's natural resources and restoring previously misused areas at the first university to offer expansive academic classes in outdoor recreation.

Recreation Resource Management (BS)

Gain a solid understanding of how humans interact with the world in outdoor recreation, a firm foundation of natural resources and scientific knowledge, and learn the best management practices for the various roles of public lands.

Wildlife Ecology and Management (BS)

Study with nationally renowned faculty and gain hands-on experience in fieldwork and research of the ecology, behavior, conservation, and management of wildlife populations as you focus on current issues and concerns in natural resources.

Minors

Agronomy (Minor)

Students investigate evolution, utilization, environmental adaptation, principles of agroecology, world production, and economic and social issues arising from crop production and management.

Climate Change and Energy (Minor)

Students gain understanding of the scientific process and practice critical thinking about science’s role in societal issues. Students integrate socio-economic and sustainability concepts in the analysis of current climate and energy problem(s).

Crop Biotechnology (Minor)

Crop Biotechnology minor catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.

Environmental Planning (Minor)

The primary goal of the Minor in Environmental Planning at Utah State University (USU) is to provide students with a strong professional education in the core principles of environmental planning.

Environmental Studies (Minor)

When you're interested in learning about natural resources and the environment but you're not majoring in those topics, this is the minor for you. Learn the basic ecological principles, plus best practices for tourism and sustainability.

Fisheries Science (Minor)

From the general ecology of fish and their habitats to the fundamentals of watershed sciences, this minor lets you dive into the world of conservation and management practices, plus hands-on experiences.

Geography (Minor)

Obtain a broad understanding of the physical processes that make up Earth, from the natural elements to how they impact societies and various cultures of the world surrounding them, whether you focus on Utah or elsewhere in this minor.

Geography Teaching (Minor)

Master the basics of geography, from the physical to its impacts of society, with this minor so you can learn how to teach students. Get hands-on clinical experience to help you teach social studies through secondary education.

Geology (Minor)

A minor in Geology is available to allow students to learn some of the important principles and concepts of geology without having to earn a bachelor’s in it.

Horticulture (Minor)

Horticulture minor catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.

Landscape Architecture (Minor)

Helps students better understand the form and function of natural, cultural, and built environments. Students find compelling connections to their own interests as they become more familiar with how landscapes emerge and evolve.

Ornamental Horticulture (Minor)

Ornamental Horticulture associates degree catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.

Recreation Resource Management (Minor)

Master the basics of recreation management, from planning and infrastructure to regulation and integration of natural resources, and explore human connections and partnerships to prepare for careers related to recreation resources.

Soil Science (Minor)

Soil Science minor catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.

Watershed Science (Minor)

Explore the social, economic, and ecological issues surrounding watershed science—including in western environments—in this minor to boost a variety of careers, from research and policy to agriculture and natural resources.

Wildlife Science (Minor)

Learn about the ecology, behavior, conservation, and management of wildlife populations as you focus on current issues and concerns in natural resources, specifically those adjacent to fisheries and aquatic sciences.

Certificates

Airframe Maintenance (TC)

The Airframe Maintenance program prepares students for high-demand careers in the aviation industry, offering hands-on training with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Upon completing the certificate, students will be eligible to take the FAA General an...

Environmental Planning (ICP)

The Environmental Planning certificate at Utah State University aims to provide students with a strong professional education in the core principles of environmental planning.

Geographic Information Science (GIS) (PBC)

Utah State University’s online Geographic Information Science (GIS) certificate is designed for graduate students or professionals wanting skills and experience applying industry standard GIS and remote sensing tools to natural resource issues.

Ornamental Horticulture (UC)

Ornamental Horticulture Certificate of Completion catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.

Paleontology (ICP)

To be proficient in paleontology, students need a core understanding of Earth history, as well as sedimentation and stratigraphy. The series of elective courses provides the possibility of studying a broad range of specific topics relevant to paleontology...

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TC)

USU Eastern is offering students in Price, Utah, the chance to develop industry-specific skills and gain hands-on experience with a Drones Certificate-Certificate of Completion.

Graduate Degrees

Agricultural Extension and Education (MS)

Emphasizing a wide range of teaching and learning skills, this MS degree allows students to specialize in teaching, Extension/informal education, and adult education. While this degree does not result in a teaching license for public schools, students wil...

Applied Environmental Geoscience (MS)

This degree is for students interested in knowing core geoscience principles while also having a multidisciplinary degree for careers in wide variety of fields. This terminal degree program requires a combination of advanced courses selected from geoscien...

Climate Sciences (MS, PhD)

The program at USU focuses on climate variability, prediction/attribution, land surface processes, paleoclimate, and exchanges between land ecosystems and the atmosphere. These subjects impact agricultural crops, rangelands in the area, and mountain ecosy...

Ecology (MS, PhD)

The Ecology Center at USU has had a string of directors known nationally and worldwide as premier scientists in the field of ecology, and students graduating with a degree in ecology are able to make contacts with influential faculty that can help them as...

Environmental Planning (MSeP)

The environmental planning degree prepares graduates to assist communities with growth and development. Additionally, graduates will be able to produce and evaluate alternative futures to help communities make decisions about future building and growth.

Forestry (MS) (PhD)

Study the management of forest ecosystems and a variety of related issues in a customized plan of study as you earn a graduate degree.

Geography (MS)

Earn a degree in geography as you study a wide range of issues like land use, rural development, map making, the social aspects of natural resource management, and more.

Geology (MS) (PhD)

The Department of Geosciences is one of the oldest departments at Utah State. It fosters a friendly environment where students are able to interact with faculty and receive specialized attention and opportunities for research.

Landscape Architecture (MLA)

As future landscape architects and planners, students in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning will learn to analyze the way people interact with the world around them and how natural environments interact with built environm...

Master of Natural Resources (MNR)

The online Master of Natural Resources degree is designed to give natural resource professionals the skills to analyze complex natural resource issues and better communicate the results of their analyses.

Plant Science (MS, PhD)

The plant science graduate degrees are centered on the biology, genetics, and management of plants and other issues related to agricultural and horticultural production. In particular, USU’s plant science programs focus on regional issues pertaining to th...

Soil Science (MS, PhD)

The graduate programs in soil science are concerned with the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the soil. This program is particularly strong in water-related issues, especially regional issues involving water and irrigation in the West.

Watershed Science (MS) (PhD)

Integrate physics, chemistry, and biology to understand watershed systems with hands-on field work and a plan of study based on your individual research interests

Wildlife Biology (MS) (PhD)

Study the management of human-wildlife conflict and current issues and concerns in natural resources under professors who are world-renown for their research and publications.