Studies & Degrees in Environmental Chemistry
Environmental chemistry studies what happens to chemical substances in nature. The Department of Chemistry of the University of British Columbia (UBC) defines it as a broad and interdisciplinary field that focuses on the sources, transport, reactions and sinks of chemical species in air, soil and water. It covers polluted and unpolluted environments alike, because, as UBC puts it, knowledge of unpolluted environments is essential for understanding polluted conditions.
The subject is a branch of chemistry, not a general environmental degree. Students become chemists first and then apply that training to questions such as air quality, water contamination, soil pollution and climate. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the role in one line: environmental chemists study the effects that chemicals have on ecosystems.
What students learn
The foundation is the same as in any chemistry degree: general, organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry, with mathematics and physics alongside. According to the BLS, undergraduate chemistry programmes typically require a number of courses in chemistry, most of which include a laboratory component. On top of that come the specialised courses. The Environmental Chemistry major at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) shows a typical mix:
- calculus, linear algebra and physics in the first years
- organic and physical chemistry and advanced laboratory courses
- two quarters of environmental chemistry
- atmospheric chemistry and marine chemistry
Research groups give an idea of the topics students may meet later. At UBC, current projects deal with atmospheric aerosols, emissions from the transport sector and the effect of wildfire smoke on air quality and climate.
Qualifications and levels
Bachelor's degree. In the United States the subject is usually a named major or concentration within a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. UC San Diego offers a BS in Environmental Chemistry that requires 114 to 118 units for the major. Students can take it with or without certification by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The university recommends the certified version for those who intend to apply to graduate school in chemistry; the non-certified one prepares students for industry, government or the legal workforce, or for further study in the environmental sciences. Tennessee Tech University lists a B.S. (Environmental Chemistry) among its chemistry programmes, and Florida State University publishes an academic programme guide for Environmental Chemistry.
Master's degree. At this level environmental chemistry is often a specialisation inside a broader programme. The MSc in Environmental Science at the University of Copenhagen has a specialisation in Chemistry, Toxicology and Health (ChemTox). It covers atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, human toxicology, epidemiology and risk assessment. Applicants from other universities need a bachelor's degree that includes three of five areas, each with 7.5 ECTS credits: biology or ecology, natural resources, geochemistry, environmental chemistry and chemistry.
Doctorate. A PhD is the usual route into research. The BLS notes that graduate programmes in chemistry commonly include specialisation in a subfield. Tennessee Tech's chemistry department, for example, lists a Ph.D. in Environmental Science next to its M.S. in Chemistry.
Where to study it
The SpainExchange directory lists 11 schools for environmental chemistry. Eight are in the United States, and Denmark, Canada and Bermuda have one each. Examples in the United States are UC San Diego, Colorado School of Mines, the University of Maryland, Florida State University and Tennessee Tech University. Outside it, the list includes UBC in Vancouver, the University of Copenhagen and the ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). BIOS is a research institute that offers internships and courses for university students and is home to some of the longest-running sets of ocean observations in the world.
Most of the schools in the list are in English-speaking countries. The Copenhagen master's is also taught in English, and applicants must meet the university's English B language requirement. The directory has no school for this subject in Spain or Latin America at present.
When comparing programmes, look at whether environmental chemistry is a full major or a set of electives, how much laboratory and field work is included, which research groups students can join, and, in the United States, whether the degree is ACS-certified.
Careers
Graduates work as chemists or as environmental scientists. For both groups the BLS gives a bachelor's degree as the typical entry requirement; for chemists it adds that some jobs, such as research positions, may need a master's degree or a Ph.D. Environmental scientists and specialists typically work in offices and laboratories but may spend time in the field.
The BLS counted about 93,400 jobs for environmental scientists and specialists in the United States in 2025. State government employed 28 percent of them, and management, scientific and technical consulting services 19 percent. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between environmental chemistry and environmental science?
Environmental chemistry is a specialisation of chemistry: it follows chemical species through air, soil and water. Environmental science is broader and also includes biology, geology and policy. The Copenhagen MSc in Environmental Science, for example, offers environmental chemistry as one specialisation.
Do I need a chemistry degree to work as an environmental chemist?
According to the BLS, chemists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related field, and some jobs, such as research positions, need a master's degree or a Ph.D.
What does ACS certification mean?
It is the certification of a bachelor's degree by the American Chemical Society. At UC San Diego, Environmental Chemistry students can receive it by adding eligible courses, and the university recommends it for students who plan to go to graduate school in chemistry.