The Department of Environmental Sciences

Program Goals

At the Department of Environmental Sciences, our mission is to be a regional partner and national leader in environmental science through education and research related to environmental evaluation, management, remediation and restoration.

• To train students through academic and practical experiences to address environmental challenges.
• To advance the state of knowledge in the environmental sciences.
• To engage locally, regionally and globally to enhance scientific awareness and support for science-based policy

We address these Program Goals with scholarship that can:

• Assess impacts of natural and anthropogenic events, including fire, chemical production and use, and industrial activities.
• Assess the causes and impacts of global change, including climate change.
• Improve environmental conditions through remediation and restoration.
• Inform managers, policy makers and other stakeholders with work in risk assessment, sustainable energy, environmental monitoring, and global change mitigation or adaptation.
• Investigate and describe physical and ecological processes in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Provide knowledge and services to underserved communities.

We prepare undergraduate students to: 

• Assess interactions between humans and the environment, such as climate change, conservation, energy, and pollution
• Apply quantitative skills to environmental issues
• Apply critical thinking skills to environmental issues
• Write and speak effectively to professional and lay audiences about issues in the field
• Incorporate multiple disciplines into environmental sciences 

We prepare graduate students to:

• Explain and evaluate the theories and concepts of environmental science and related disciplines
• Design and conduct scientifically-rigorous and relevant scientific research in their chosen environmental discipline
• Analyze and interpret scientific data
• Communicate scientific concepts and results effectively through both written and oral means, and to a range of audiences

For more information on our bachelor and graduate degree options, please see ESCI Majors, Minors & Degrees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Read the Environmental Science Department's Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

See ESCI Faculty & Staff.