Understand the complex local and global environmental challenges and develop the skills needed to address them with an interdisciplinary major in Environmental Science. Blending perspectives from biology, geoscience and environmental studies, environmental science will train you to investigate the relationship between humans and the natural world. You’ll graduate ready for wide range of career options in natural resource management, ecosystem science, and sustainability. Our graduates are ready for positions in government agencies, consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, and more.
Work with local sustainability programs through the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning or conduct research on Seneca Lake through the Finger Lakes Institute.
At Hobart and William Smith, learning goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. You’ll gain high-impact practical experiences that will deepen learning and opens doors to a meaningful career.
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Study geothermal power in Australia or the social impact of climate change in Germany.
Wherever you go, our nationally-ranked global education program will allow you to apply classroom knowledge, develop cultural understanding and build global connections that expand your personal capacity and sense of purpose.
Explore the world of environmental science through interdisciplinary courses.
Courses include:
Gain an introduction to ecology and its theories through topics such as physiological ecology, population dynamics, competition, predation, community structure and diversity.
Learn the fundamental physical processes important to the climate system and responsible for the characteristics and development of weather systems.
Explore American Indians' relationships to nature and eco-political responses to contemporary environmental issues.
Hobart and William Smith is surrounded by plenty of natural resources to help you study Environmental Science.
The 108-acre Hanley Biological Field Preserve, owned and operated by HWS and the Department of Biology, has over 60 natural and man-made ponds. The major vegetation types include agricultural fields, deciduous forest, old field/scrub and a small stand of pines. The preserve also hosts a wide diversity of plants and animals, including whitetail deer, coyotes, red fox, beaver, mink, muskrats, redtail hawks, great blue herons, green herons, Canada geese and many species of ducks.
Coopers' Woods offers 27 acres of space to explore and conduct research, all adjacent to the Arts Campus.
At nearly 35 miles long and more than 600 feet deep, Seneca Lake offers the perfect setting to conduct water research, especially with the help of the R/V William Scandling research vessel. Owned by HWS, the ship is used for sediment, water and biota studies. Equipment onboard includes a stereomicroscope, a binocular microscope with camera, and CTDs for determining temperature, salinity, chlorophyll concentration, transparency, pH and dissolved oxygen content of the water column. Additional instrumentation deployed using the research vessel includes high resolution seismic profiling and side scan sonar equipment, along with sediment traps, acoustic Doppler current profilers and sediment traps. Learn more about the history of the R/V William Scandling.
The Finger Lakes Institute offers research and professional development opportunities to learn more about the Finger Lakes, provide an understanding of environmental issues to regional policy makers and the public and inform the community of existing and emerging water quality issues.
Current Position:
Operations Engineer 1 at Ginkgo Bioworks
Current Location:
Boston, MA
Majors: Biology, Environmental Studies
"Getting to sit down with your professor and either go over material or even just socialize is something very special and not common at other schools."
