The B.S. in Earth, Water, and Climate Science is a STEM degree for students who want to use evidence-based knowledge to address Earth’s grand challenges, including global climate change, water and mineral resource availability and sustainability, natural hazards, and shifting global energy resources. Students gain skills in critical thinking, problem solving, technical communication, modern field techniques and data analysis. Coursework includes topics related to the natural history of the Earth, processes that shape Earth’s surface and its water and climate systems, the distribution and inventory of resources and the impacts those processes have on Earth’s inhabitants and the environment. Students completing this degree can take the knowledge and skills developed to professional careers in natural resources, Earth or environmental sciences, graduate school, or any future career or professional experience where critical thinking, data analysis, and communication are required. This degree is for students who seek post-graduate employment as professional geoscientists, hydrologists, and environmental/climate scientists working with federal, state, or local government or environmental consulting agencies. This degree also serves as excellent preparation for graduate study in Earth, water, and climate science and related fields.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must complete successfully, in addition to any other requirements, the University of Montana General Education Requirements. Please refer to the General Education Requirements page for more information. 

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page. 

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

Four Year Plan

Last updated Autumn 2024