Explore the Environmental Science Major
Turn your passion for the planet into real-world action.
From climate change and water quality to sustainable development and conservation, the Environmental Science major puts you at the heart of today’s most pressing environmental issues. You’ll study the science behind the problems and be empowered to work on practical solutions that matter.
This interdisciplinary program combines geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, and policy to help you understand how natural systems work—and how human activity impacts them. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience through fieldwork, research projects, and engage with local and global environmental initiatives - all guided by expert faculty.
Whether you're sampling water in local rivers, analyzing soil in our labs, or exploring policy solutions to global challenges, you won’t just study the environment—you’ll engage with it. Our program prepares you for real-world impact, whether that’s pursuing graduate study, launching a career in environmental consulting, or advancing sustainability in government, nonprofit, or private sectors.
Why Choose Environmental Science?
- Real-world experience through labs, field studies, and community partnerships
- Supportive faculty mentors who know your name and care about your goals
- Flexible pathways for careers in science, policy, sustainability, education, or law
- Global + local impact, from Pittsburgh to the planet
What Can You Do with an Environmental Science Degree?
Anywhere the Earth needs advocates, innovators, and problem-solvers—you can be there.
Our graduates go on to careers in environmental consulting, government agencies, nonprofits, education, research, and beyond. Many pursue advanced degrees in environmental science, law, public health, or sustainability. Whatever path you choose, you’ll be equipped with the scientific know-how and critical thinking skills to make a lasting difference.
Potential career paths include:
- Environmental Scientist
- Sustainability Consultant
- Climate Change Analyst
- Environmental Educator or Interpreter
- GIS Analyst or Environmental Data Specialist
- Environmental Lawyer (with additional training)
Advising
Explore the links at right to learn what you need to know to pick your major and plan out your undergraduate career. The Degree Requirements and Self-Advising link is particularly helpful! It is important to do this before you meet your advisor because you are really the best person to chart your future. You do NOT have to declare you major before coming to meet one of our two environmental science faculty advisors:
Faculty Advisors
Our faculty advisors can provide an overview of the major, compare our three majors, and give you advising on careers, internships, field programs, and graduate school.
Dr. Anusha Balangoda
216 SRCC (attached to Thaw Hall at 4107 O'Hara Street)
anusha.balangoda@pitt.edu
Dr. Abby Carroll
312/313 SRCC (attached to Thaw Hall at 4107 O'Hara Street)
arc235@pitt.edu
Staff Advisors
We have two wonderful staff advisors who will be the ones who, once you declare your major, will lift your advising holds and make sure that your schedules make sense and will get you to graduate on time:
Corbin Curtis
255 Thackeray Hall / 200E SRCC (in Dept office)
cac535@pitt.edu
412-648-7384
Virginia Robson
201 Thackeray Hall / 200E SRCC (in Dept office)
robson@pitt.edu
412-648-7431