Environmental Science

The Environmental Science major delivers the theories and practices of science grounded by a sound liberal arts education. With courses in fieldwork, environmental science, environmental politics, law, and health, the Environmental Science curriculum provides the student with an education that develops the skills necessary to work in the environmental field and to pursue graduate school goals. The location of our campus allows for a unique study of the land, marshes, streams, and ocean of the North Shore. In the classroom, students learn to use the principles and theories of science to solve problems; they also develop an understanding of the complicated balance between environmental issues, politics, and the welfare of the community. Through lab and field activities they work with cutting-edge analytical laboratory instruments for data collection and evaluation. The multi-disciplinary nature of the degree leads students to develop an understanding of the sciences and the role they play in the world today.

The integration of liberal learning with practical experience through the internship program is central to the success and education of our students. Through the internships, students apply the knowledge gained in their courses to a wide range of opportunities including field sampling and laboratory work, pollution monitoring, and water quality testing within government agencies, public relations, and engineering and architectural services. Internship opportunities in science are vast and include: environmental protection agencies, national and state parks, quality control laboratories, public relation firms, and relevant federal, state, or local government agencies. Supervised field experience has given our students significant advantages when applying for jobs and graduate school.

Examples of internships include:

Audubon Society
Bureau of Land Management
Change is Simple
Environmental Protection Agency
Greenpeace
Ipswich River Watershed Association
Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole
Meridian Associates
Museum of Science, Boston
Nature Conservancy
Ocean Alliance
Seacoast Science Center
Sustainability Roundtable, Inc.
Trustees of Reservations

Continuation in the Program

Environmental science students are expected to maintain a GPA within the major of 2.5.