Why Iowa?

Majors in earth, environment, and sustainability come together in one dynamic school that encompasses natural science and human-centered perspectives to help you focus your passion and make an impact in your chosen career.

Build a foundation

Advance your knowledge

Learn from experts

See yourself here

Exciting field trips, research opportunities, and internships will take you out of the classroom and into labs and nature, providing hands-on, real-world experience.

Write your story

From working in a lab to drafting policy, you’ll find your place here. Our majors are designed to provide the foundation and flexibility you need to succeed academically and professionally.

Iowa students bird banding at Lake MacBride Nature Center

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Undergraduate majors
Students on a field trip in front of rock formations

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Undergraduate tracks

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Foundational courses
Iowa students in a prairie doing field work at Lake MacBride Nature Center

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Research areas
EEPL student doing one on one meeting with faculty for research work

News and announcements

CLAS researcher finds gemstones on Mars using NASA rover

Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Planetary geologist Valerie Payré from the University of Iowa is part of a team using one of NASA’s rovers on Mars that’s found the makings for precious gems like rubies and sapphires in the Martian soil.

From cicadas to cathedrals, Adam Skibbe maps it all

Monday, August 17, 2026
Adam Skibbe is a senior GIS administrator and adjunct instructor whose work centers on geospatial technology and the questions it can help researchers answer. He provides GIS support across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the university, works with faculty and students on research, and teaches students how to use geospatial tools they may encounter in their careers.

Events

All Majors Career Fair promotional image

All Majors Career Fair

Thursday, September 24, 2026 11:00am to 4:00pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

This job and internship fair will focus on recruiting students in ALL MAJORS! Typically about 100+ employers attend and 1,000+ students attend!

Visit careers.uiowa.edu/all-majors-career-fair for more details.

Creating Citations with EndNote

Thursday, September 24, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Seamans Center
Build your scholarly toolkit with this workshop on citation management with EndNote.

SEES:7000 Colloquium - Bill Arnold (Dept. of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota) "Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Tire-derived Chemicals and Pesticides in a (sub)Urban River and Stormwater Ponds"

Thursday, September 24, 2026 3:30pm
Macbride Hall

SEES:7000 Colloquium - Thursday, 9/24/26, 3:30pm, 255 MacBride Hall

Bill Arnold (Dept. of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota)

Title: Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Tire-derived Chemicals and Pesticides in a (sub)Urban River and Stormwater Ponds

Abstract: Stormwater carries a mixture of micropollutants including pesticides, industrial chemicals, and tire-derived chemicals to stormwater infrastructure and ultimately surface waters. The inputs will be driven by...

Biology Seminar: "Influenza: A virus at the human-animal interface and zoonoses" promotional image

Biology Seminar: "Influenza: A virus at the human-animal interface and zoonoses"

Friday, September 25, 2026 3:30pm
Biology Building East
The Department of Biology's seminar speaker on Friday, September 25, at 3:30pm, is Tavis Anderson, PhD, a Research Biologist with the National Animal Disease Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Ames, Iowa. The seminar will be held in Room 101, Biology Building East (BBE).

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