Environmental Science is a quantitative academic field that groups together multiple disciplines, including ecology, geology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics, which is a discipline itself. It combines the theoretical and applied aspects of these disciplines which could be directed and utilized to advocate for the environment. As advancements in our economy, industries, and society continue, there are environmental impacts that need to be mitigated for the future of the planet. This allows for world governments and private institutions to seek the expertise of environmental scientists for creating the best possible recourses, especially today when the discussion about global climate change is at its most crucial.

As such, universities all over the world are ever-increasing their efforts in further developing and improving their studies of Environmental Science. Since academic institutions are generally autonomous and have varied strategies for advancing their fields of study, some universities could be one step ahead of others. These are the top institutions among the best environmental science schools this year.

Which Countries in Europe offer Study of Environmental Science?

There are a number of countries in Europe that offer courses and other study programs on Environmental Science in Europe that you can choose from. The country best known to offering this course is the United Kingdom, as it hosts most institutions and universities that major in this study.

Click to see: Best Environmental Science Schools in Europe

Best Environmental Science Schools in the World

1. University of California, Berkeley

The University of California Berkeley was founded initially as a private academic institution that became a public university in the United States of America through the Morrill and Organic Acts in 1862 and 1868, respectively. The university, as it is known today, was created to further develop all pursuits of arts and sciences in the State of California for the benefit and advancement of future generations.

The Rausser College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley is one of the best environmental science schools in the world. It was deemed as the first college in the University of California system when its predecessor, the College of Agriculture, was formed in 1986. It is also the first state-run Agricultural Experiment Station and the first land-grant college in the state. The college excels in the study of biological, ecological, economic, and social sciences as shown by its multiple achievements and honors.

2. California Institute of Technology

In 1891, the Wooster Block Building was rented by Pasadena philanthropist Amos Throop to create the Throop University. Astronomer George Ellery Hale, chemist Arthur A. Noyes, and physicist Robert A. Millikan later joined the university’s administration, reshaping the university into a first-class academic institution, focused on engineering and scientific research and education. They renamed the school to be the California Institute of Technology as it is known today in the US.

The Department of Environmental Science and Engineering focuses its research and education on new information on how to curb the effects of climate-change and to incorporate sustainability in modern-day industries. The department prides itself in its flexibility in accommodating various backgrounds and disciplines to push forward its goal of advocating for the environment and the scientific studies surrounding it.

3. Princeton University

Princeton University is another excellent environmental science school in the world. It was founded by the Presbyterian Synod in 1746 as the College of New Jersey in the settlement in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The college was later moved to Newark (1747), and, finally, to Princeton, New Jersey (1756). The American private university in the past consistently emphasized to its constituents the importance of serving the nation and striving for the betterment of society.

Unlike most universities, students apply to Princeton University itself and not to any of its departments to encourage the students to study multiple disciplines that would benefit them by giving them a deeper and holistic understanding of their chosen field. Aside from encouraging its research and educational departments to further strive for more global honors and acclaims, Princeton also provides a generous financial aid as well as an educational aid plan to ensure that talented applicants, regardless of their racial or economic background, will be able to afford their quality education.

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The first building for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was initially located in Boston but was later moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA in 1916, 55 years after it was officially incorporated and founded in 1861. MIT as an institution is fully committed to making positive changes to the world through education, research, and innovation. “Mens et manus” (“mind and hand”) is the private university’s motto as a reminder of MIT’s focus on combining academic theories and practical applicability.

There are 2 schools in MIT that focus on environmental science in its research and instruction, the School of Engineering, and the School of Science. It stays true to the interdisciplinary nature of the field of study. Despite the unconventional setup, the university still garnered numerous awards and citations for its high level of excellence.

Click to see: Acceptance Rate for Massachusetts Institute of Technology

5. Stanford University

Stanford University was founded in the US by Senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane Stanford, in 1885 within the traditional territory of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. It officially opened its gates in 1891 with the goal of creating a nonsectarian, co-educational, and affordable academic institution. The private university, since its early years, has encouraged the study and research of various fields, including disciplines that branch out from these paradigms. This has allowed for multiple centers dedicated to their respective fields to be inaugurated into the Stanford University system.

Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences is an excellent school for environmental science, notable for its methods in further improving its education and research. The school gives importance to its field learning for its students on all 7 continents, its training for sustainability, and its utilization of data science to better understand the planet. This allowed for the university to be awarded various honors as well as the opportunity to positively affect environment-related policy-making and public decisions.

Click to see: Acceptance Rates for Stanford University

6. Harvard University

Harvard University was founded in 1636 by the Great and General Court of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, approving the establishment of the first college in the American colonies. In 1638, John Harvard, a Cambridge University graduate willed his library and half his estate to the college which prompted the Great and General Court to rename the school to Harvard College. Due to its extensive history, numerous notable alumni and societal contributions can be traced back to its more than 4 decades of knowledge production and application.

Harvard University is one of the best environmental science universities in the world, with its John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. This school promotes an interdisciplinary approach in further understanding environmental concerns and creating proactive responses to such issues. It encourages connections between multiple departments and institutions to achieve environmental goals. Many of its alumni, departments, and the university itself have been mentioned in various citations and honors for their contributions to Environmental Science.

See also: Acceptance Rates for Harvard University

7. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge was started in 1209 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England when Oxford scholars tried to escape the conflict between the masses and the scholars at the time. As decades went by, developments in the creation of new colleges specializing in ground-breaking new studies and the rise of notable scholars from obscurity have allowed for the university to be recognized as one of the premier educational institutions in the country. The university is also known to offer international scholarships.

The Department of Earth Sciences has consistently prided itself in being one of the leaders in innovative research regarding Environmental Science. It also utilizes advanced centers to facilitate learning and research in the field. The department also allows for flexibility, depending on the course the student wants to focus on, whether biological science-focused, physical science-centered, or a balanced mix between the 2 disciplines. The university, through the efforts of its academe and researchers, has consistently received various acclaims and awards.

 

 

We hope this article on the best environmental science schools in the world was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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