Degree Awarded
4+1 Bachelor’s/MBA Pathway, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Undergraduate Minor
Program Delivery
On-Campus, Online
Locations Available
Rindge, New Hampshire
Online
When you choose an Environmental Science and Policy major, you’ll tackle some of the toughest environmental issues that challenge our world today. With our 1,200-acre living, learning laboratory nestled between Mt. Monadnock and Pearly Pond, you’ll conduct important fieldwork on campus in the woods, wetlands, fields, lakeshores, trails, and gardens. You’ll work on conserving and restoring critical habitats and finding sustainable solutions in the local community. With your knowledge of environmental policymaking and advocacy, you’ll be prepared to be a key player in the “green economy.”
Apply to This Program NowWhat Makes our Environmental Programs Different?
- The natural environment of the Rindge campus includes over 1,000 acres of forest, fields, wetlands and streams, next to beautiful Pearly Pond. These “outdoor learning laboratories” help students learn land management and conservation firsthand.
- Experiential learning opportunities abound, including the Institute for Climate Action, food gardens, campus sustainability initiatives, trail construction and maintenance, wetland and water quality research, weather monitoring, climate impact research, wildlife studies, and other projects.
- Pathways to Graduate Programs: 3-2 Bachelor’s-to-Master of Science in Env. Studies agreement with Antioch Graduate School, 4+1 Master’s in Business Administration in Energy and Sustainability.
- Field study in Costa Rica and Cape Cod: Take a two-week trip to learn about the forest ecosystems and indigenous wildlife of Costa Rica; or spend one week on Cape Cod to immerse yourself in the ecology of coastal ecosystems.
Where can a degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies take me?
Acres of undeveloped
land on the Rindge campus
Average number of
students in a field lab
Number of
very cool ES faculty
Who should study Environmental Science/Environmental Studies?
Majoring in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies is right for you if:
- You are passionate about nature
- You enjoy spending time outdoors
- You love learning about wildlife
- You are concerned about the future of life on Earth
- You want to help find solutions to the problems of climate change, species extinctions, pollution, industrial agriculture, unsustainable cities, environmental racism and other related issues
- You are excited by the new green economy, wildlife management, ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, land protection, nature-based solutions and sustainable ethics
On-Campus Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Our Environmental Science/Studies curriculum creates a knowledge base and a set of key skills:
- Knowledge base: Focuses on the scientific principles governing the natural world, and the social, economic, and ethical concepts that determine how humans interact with the earth. The core principles of sustainability are central to the program.
- Skills development: Includes plant and animal identification, mapping, data collection, quantitative analysis and computer skills, as well as problem-solving, teamwork, project management, presentation skills and critical thinking.
See our curriculum plan to learn how you will progress through the on-campus BA or BS program.
minor in environmental studies
The minor in Environmental Studies is intended to provide students not majoring in Environmental Science with an interdisciplinary concentration that emphasizes the many interactions between humans and the local and global environments. It is designed to build understanding of these relationships by examining areas of anthropology, biology, conservation, policy, law and sociology as they relate to the natural world.
The minor requires completion of six courses:
- ES103 Introduction to Ecosystem and Wildlfe Conservation
- ES104 Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation
- Two courses from the Human Society Electives list.
- Two courses from the Natural Science Electives list.
Fall Term
- ES103 Introduction to Ecosystems and Wildlife Conservation – 4 credits
- ES108 Nature and Culture – 3 credits
- GLE101 First-year Inquiry Seminar – 3 credits
- GLE110 First-year Composition – 3 credits
- GLE elective – 3 credits
Spring Term
- ES104 Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation – 4 credits
- ES210 Evolution of Environmental Thought – 3 credits
- MT151 College Algebra, MT221 Calculus, or MT260 Statistics – 3 credits
- GLE elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
Fall Term
- BI218 Ecology – 4 credits
- GL101 General Geology I or CH101 General Chemistry I (Env. Science majors) – 4 credits or GLE elective – 3 credits
- GLE elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credit
Spring Term
- CIT222 Intro. to Geographic Information Systems – 3 credits
- GL102 General Geology II or CH102 General Chemistry II (Env. Science majors) – 4 credits or Natural Science elective #1– 4 credits
- Human Society elective #1 – 3 credits
- Second math (Env. Science majors): MT151 College Algebra or MT221 Calculus, or MT260 Statistics or Elective course – 3-4 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
Fall Term
- ES320 Wetland Ecology or ES367 Water Resources or ES430 Forest Ecology (Env. Science majors) – 4 credits or Elective course – 3 credits
- GL205 Env. Geology – 4 credits
- GLE elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
Spring Term
- ES480 Junior Seminar in Env. Science/Studies – 3 credits
- Natural Science elective #2 (Env. Science majors) – 4 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
Fall Term
- ES490 Senior Capstone – 4 credits
- Natural Science elective #3 (Env. Science majors) – 4 credits or Elective course – 3 credits
- GLE elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
Spring Term
- Human Society elective #3 (Env. Studies majors) – 3 credits
- GLE elective – 3 credits
- GLE elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
- Elective – 3 credits
CONTACT the admissions team
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
(800) 437-0048
admissions@franklinpierce.edu
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Graduate Admissions
(800) 325-1090
FPUonline@franklinpierce.edu
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.