Bachelor's in Earth Science (BA)

Rice University is a prestigious private research university located in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1912, Rice is known for its strong academic programs, cutting-edge research, and close-knit campus community. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and business. With a focus on personalized education and small class sizes, Rice provides students with ample opportunities for hands-on learning, research collaborations, and interdisciplinary studies. The university's distinguished faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and beautiful campus create an environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, innovation, and personal growth. Rice University is committed to shaping future leaders, advancing knowledge through research, and making a positive impact in the world.

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.