Overview

The Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences program at California Polytechnic State University provides a strong foundation and the practical experiences needed to improve the way we manage the earth’s land, water, and atmospheric resources.

You will receive detailed and thorough training in the natural and cultural processes that govern the relationship between humans and their habitats and the expertise to improve this relationship. Environmental earth and soil sciences majors can choose between a geology or hydrology concentration, or a more general path.

Regardless of concentration, you will have access to diverse faculty and laboratories across campus as well as the real-world environmental and cultural setting of California's Central Coast. The program will also prepare you to meet the educational requirements for professional certification in a number of areas (e.g. erosion and sediment control, hydrology, soil conservation, soil science).

Learn By Doing

You will take your classroom knowledge outdoors and gain hands-on experience with equipment and techniques in common use by environmental scientists, geologists, natural resources managers, soil scientists, foresters and agricultural scientists. By analyzing rock, soil, water, plant and tree samples, you will learn how to develop erosion and sediment control plans, farm water quality plans and more.

With access to over 3,000 acres of riparian areas, forest, rangeland, agricultural land, as well as greenhouse research space, you will have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with expert faculty, studying the methods of resource conservation applied through sustainable management techniques.

Career

Careers range from forester, park administrator, resource planner, watershed manager, hydrologist, fire and fuels manager, GIS specialist and many other areas. Environmental earth and soil sciences graduates possess the understanding, flexibility and tools to appreciate and adapt to a changing world and its employment opportunities.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Earth Science

Rocks and Minerals

Soil Erosion and Water Conservation

Human Impact on the Earth

Soil Science

Soil Health and Plant Nutrition

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-02 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

180 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Luis Obispo, United States

Disciplines

Earth Sciences Soil Science Environmental Sciences View 1433 other Bachelors in Environmental Sciences in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Coursework: They look at the college-prep coursework you have taken during high school, including the courses you have in progress or planned during 12th grade

GPA: For the purposes of your application, they'll consider your 9th-11th grade weighted GPA
Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience: Cal Poly takes activities such as work experience, internships, volunteer programs and extracurricular activities into consideration

Make sure you have a copy of your transcripts, current and planned class schedules, household annual income and social security number (if available).

There is a $70 application fee per campus at the time you apply, unless you qualify for an application fee waiver

English proficiency exam results

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

28359 USD / year

≈ 28359 USD / year
Out-of-State

28359 USD / year

≈ 28359 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

15039 USD / year

≈ 15039 USD / year

Living costs

San Luis Obispo

United States

1100 - 1800 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Learn By Doing

Career

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

San Luis Obispo

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners