At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BA

Build a strong foundation in environmental and sustainability science and gain the policy know-how necessary to translate science into action. 

Bachelor of Arts in Climate Change and Sustainability

UMass Lowell students conduct hydrology research on Cape Cod.

Turn Your Passion for Climate into Action

Are you interested in the human and environmental sides of climate challenges? With UMass Lowell's B.A. in Climate Change and Sustainability, you’ll explore how the physical, biological and human components of the earth system work together — and how those connections shape environmental issues.

You will take courses across diverse disciplines, including natural sciences, political science, economics, public health and legal studies. 

Gain hands-on experience by applying what you learn through field and lab work. You’ll also engage with leading experts and contribute to real-world projects through campus research centers like the Climate Change Initiative and the Rist Institute.

You’ll graduate ready for careers in sustainability, environmental policy, consulting and clean energy. The program also prepares you for graduate study in climate science and related fields.

Career Outlook for Climate Change & Sustainability Majors

  • $115K

    Median annual salary for bachelor's degree holders in New England
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

  • +11.9%

    Projected job growth in New England (2023–2035)
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

What Can You Do with a Degree in Climate Change and Sustainability?

UMass Lowell's Climate Change and Sustainability program prepares students for graduate school and careers in environmental, geoscience, climate and sustainability fields in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

Environmental Science student Abraham Mudoola harvests peppers on O’Leary Library rooftop garden at UMass Lowell.

Our alumni are employed in:

  • Climate change mitigation
  • Environmental policy
  • Research and environmental consulting and industries
  • Flood prediction and management
  • Water/air/soil pollution control and remediation
  • Traditional and renewable energy research
  • Resource exploration and development
  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Sustainability
  • K-12 education

Meet Our Students

William Lefebvre poses for photo at the COP28UAE - United Nations Climate Change in Dubai-2023.
William Lefebvre ’25
Climate Change and Sustainability

From attending COP28 in Dubai to joining the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, William Lefebvre is learning that environmental science is also an art.

UMass Lowell has enabled me to expand sustainability more than I ever thought it would.

Courses You'll Take

Sample course topics include: 

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2025 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
ENVI.1010Environmental Science Seminar (IL)1
ENVI.1200Principles of Environmental Science (STEM)3
MATH.1225Precalculus Mathematics I13
POLI.1750Introduction to Environmental Politics (SS)3
Total13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
ENVI.2010Earth Systems: Geosphere (SCL)3
ENVI.2030LEarth Systems: Geosphere Lab (SCL), (QL), (CTPS)1
MATH.2830Introduction to Statistics3
POLI.2001Comparative Environmental Politics (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.2220 /
ENGL.2200 /
ENGL.2390		Oral Communication /
Written and Oral Communication for Computer Science /
Intro to Professional Writing (AH)		3
ENVI.2020Earth Systems: Atmosphere and Oceans (SCL), (QL)3
ENVI.2040LEarth Systems: Atmosphere and Oceans Lab (SCL), (CTPS), (QL)1
PUBH.2080Principles of Environmental Health Science3
POLI.xxxxPolitical Science Elective3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ECON.2010Principles of Microeconomics (SS)3
ENVI.2050Earth Systems: Biosphere and Global Change (SCL)3
ENVI.2070LEarth Systems: Biosphere and Global Change Lab (SCL), (IL)1
POLI.3/4xxxPolitical Science Elective (3000-4000 level)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH), (DCA)23
Total13

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ECON.4150Introduction to Environmental Economics3
POLI.3/4xxxPolitical Science Elective (3000-4000 level)3
xxxx.xxxxSustainability Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSustainability Elective33
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
LGST.3670Environmental Law3
POLI.3580Global Environmental Policy3
xxxx.xxxxSustainability Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSustainability Elective33
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ECON.4130Climate Change Economics3
ENVI.4160Climate Change: Science, Communication, and Solutions (SRE)3
ENVI.4170LClimate Change: Science, Communication, and Solutions Lab1
xxxx.xxxxSustainability Elective33
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENVI.4000Senior Seminar in Environmental Sciences1
ENVI.4250Systems Thinking for Sustainability (WOC), (AIL)3
xxxx.xxxxSustainability Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSustainability Elective33
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total16

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1Can be replaced by MATH.1230 or MATH.1310 or (MATH.1200 if taken prior to Fall 2023). MATH.1200 will only be considered through exception if completed in fall 2023 or later – including by transfer.

2The Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) is fulfilled outside the Environmental Science major. See the DCA course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill this requirement.

3Students must complete seven (7) sustainability electives, three of which must be at the 3000 level or above. See advisement report in SIS for a list of Sustainability Electives.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

A graduate in Climate Change and Sustainability (B.A.) will be able to:
  • Apply scientific knowledge to address environmental and sustainability challenges.
  • Design plans that translate science into actionable policy.
  • Integrate natural science knowledge with related disciplines and contexts: political sciences, economic, public health, and legal studies.
  • Critically evaluate scientific data and show oral and written communication skills with a variety of audiences.

Why Study Climate Change and Sustainability at UMass Lowell?

Two students planting seedlings in pots

Research Opportunities

Work closely with faculty in UMass Lowell’s:

Man adjusts solar panel on site of weather station

Campus & Community Resources

Gain hands-on experiences in the lab, in the field and in the community through our:

Young woman smiles as she tends to plants in greenhouse

Earn a Sustainability Credential

Power up your degree with a River Hawk Experience Distinction (RHED) in Sustainability, an added credential that highlights your sustainability knowledge beyond the classroom.

Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Science Department’s Environmental Science Seminar conducted a recycling audit of the recycling bins in the Olney Science Center.

Student Organizations

Put your learning into practice by joining student-run clubs and organizations, including:

Take the Next Step

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