Global concerns about resource availability, natural disaster impacts, environmental change and sustainable development have propelled Environmental Earth Science to the forefront in the 21st century. Employment in the field is projected to grow faster than average from 2016-26 — between 10-14 percent. Environmental Earth Science (EES) is an interdisciplinary field of study that combines pure and applied science with modern technologies and research methods.
Environmental Earth Science (EES) students at Eastern receive a broad education in environmental earth science with a strong foundation in geoscience, using classroom, laboratory and field-based learning. The curriculum stresses the materials, processes, and features of the Earth, Earth history and the ways in which earth scientists address scientific, societal and environmental problems. Student pick from four concentrations in Environmental Earth Science, Environmental Science, General Earth Science or Sustainable Energy Science. A minor is also available to students in other majors.
Concentrations
Environmental Earth Science (EES) students at Eastern receive a broad education in environmental earth science with a strong foundation in geoscience, using classroom, laboratory and field-based learning. The curriculum stresses the materials, processes, and features of the Earth, Earth history and the ways in which earth scientists address scientific, societal and environmental problems.
Environmental Science allows students at Eastern to pursue an earth science degree, with additional coursework focused on ecology and environmental health science. Upper level required electives are selected from a number of different possibilities tailored to individual student interests and career goals.
Students in the General Earth Science concentration in the Environmental Earth Science major perform formal coursework, independent studies and internships that integrate field, laboratory, technical writing and computer skills to investigate environmental problems. The concentration includes a broader science background geared towards a career in K-12 science education. Many students in this track enroll in the early-start option with the Education Department, working towards a Master of Science in Education degree in their senior year.
The Sustainable Energy Science concentration in the Environmental Earth Science major teaches the impact of energy consumption on humans and the natural environment and the application of renewable energy to address these problems. Students integrate field, laboratory, technical writing and computer skills in the investigation of energy resources and the application of energy science.
Students have laboratory experiences in Sedimentology, Geomorphology, Petrology, Structural Geology, Field Methods, Hydrology, GIS and Sustainable Energy, and present their findings at local, regional and national research conferences.
Internships
Eastern’s Institute for Sustainable Energy offers credit and paid internships for Environmental Earth Science students. Other internship opportunities are available through Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and regional geo-environmental firms.
Field Trips
The EES Department frequently offers field trips to locations such as Iceland, Arizona and Wyoming/Idaho.
Career Options
Students who pursue undergraduate degrees in Environmental Earth Science can have rewarding and successful careers in a variety of professional fields, including:
Energy Specialist
Environmental Scientist or Technician
Geologist
Geo-environmental Laboratory Technician
GIS Analyst
Hazardous Waste Specialist/Manager
Hydrogeologist
Land/Marine Surveyor
Physical Science Educator
Resource Exploration Geoscientist
Successful Alumni
Recent Eastern students who earned a bachelor’s degree or a minor in Environmental Earth Science are at the following companies and professional/graduate schools:
Geo-Environmental Firms (e.g. Fuss & O’Neill)
Energy and consulting firms (e.g. Eversource)
S. Geological Survey
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
“What I most appreciated at Eastern were the relationships I developed with professors. They allowed me to find my niche and learn what I really enjoyed doing. I was fortunate to go on a summer field excursion to the south-central Pyrenees in Spain one summer to measure stratigraphic columns and create a field guide for an oil company.”
Environmental Earth Science
Matthew Gonsalves ’14
“Taking a variety of different courses in the liberal arts, along with applied learning opportunities and independent studies, led me to becoming an environmental consultant today, conducting environmental assessments in conjunction with private, commercial and municipal clients. In my spare time, I design board games with my wife and former roommates. We hope to market the games to the public in the near future.”
Environmental Earth Science
Cody Lorentson ’14
Cody is a project leader at Sightlines, a consulting firm that works in higher education. “Two of the greatest strengths of Eastern’s EES department are the opportunity to complete independent studies and the faculty’s dedication to student growth. By the end of my four years, I developed personal and professional skills that have allowed me to excel in postgraduate endeavors.”
Hydrologic Modeling
Timothy Bugden ’14
Timothy earned his M.S. in hydrology at the University of Connecticut and works as a CAD draftsman. “Eastern was nothing short of extraordinary. I flourished under the instruction of exceptionally motivated professors and enjoyed the camaraderie of my fellow EES students. I shudder to think of the opportunities I would have missed had I not enrolled at Eastern.”
Sustainable Development
Nicholas Denegre ’14
Environmental Earth Science Nicholas Denegre is studying sustainable development as a graduate student at the University of Graz in Austria. Upon graduating from Eastern, he worked as a system analyst at Greenskies Renewable Energy. “Eastern’s EES program prepared me for the environmental sciences field with a rigorous education and many undergraduate research opportunities. It without a doubt catapulted my career.”
Fisheries Biologist
Corey Pelletier ’12
Environmental Earth Science major Corey Pelletier is a fisheries biologist for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. “Eastern provided me not only with the knowledge base to understand our environment and natural processes, but also a working knowledge applicable to the natural resources field.”
Eversource
Nick Jones ’12
Environmental Earth Science major Nick Jones works at Eversource Energy as the Energy Efficiency Program Lead of Residential New Construction. He works with builders, designers and governmental organizations to advance high-performance building practices and technologies. “The passion of the professors and administration at Eastern is something that students take with them long after they graduate.”
