Environmental Science

Do you have a passion for science and an interest in preserving natural resources across the world? Our Environmental Science major focuses on how science can improve the natural world. Outside of the classroom, you’ll get out into nature and take part in research projects to grow your skills and knowledge needed to combat major threats to our world. Choose from one of our concentrations to gain insight into the natural processes that affect our environment, how we interact with it, and how it’s changing as a consequence.

Our program includes small class sizes, dedicated faculty to give you individualized attention, and a plan of study that is adaptive to your needs and interests. Upon graduation, a degree in Environmental Science will qualify you for roles with consulting firms, governmental agencies, private corporations, and non-profit organizations. 

The Environmental Science and Policy concentration will provide you with an interdisciplinary background and the training necessary to create and implement environmental policy. You’ll build a strong foundation in science with broad training in geographical theory and techniques. Through involvement with the Green Initiative with Campus Sustainability and internships, including with the on-campus Christa McAuliffe Center, you’ll gain the field experience necessary to bridge the gap between science and policy-making decisions. 

In the next 10 years, many of the greatest risks society will face will be environmental. Our Earth and Planetary Systems concentration will prepare you to understand processes across our solar system, whether working in private industry, non-profit organizations, governments, or universities. We seek to understand how our universe was formed, how it has evolved, and what to expect in the future. Many of our faculty recruit students to join their research, both in class and as independent research. Recent students have had summer internships at MIT, Princeton, the United State Geological Survey, the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources, and FSU's own planetarium at the Christa McAuliffe Center. 

Our Secondary Education in Earth and Planetary Systems concentration will prepare you to help the next generation of students understand the importance of saving our planet. Science teachers are in high demand across the country; here in Massachusetts, there are hundreds of openings for STEM teachers in Junior and Senior high schools. Our College of Education offers both undergraduate and graduate education programs, so you can earn both your Initial and Professional Degrees in a seamless program.