The environmental science major is designed for students who are interested in the natural world and have a desire to protect it. Students take interdisciplinary courses in environmental science, hydrogeology, climatology, geographic information systems, and environmental toxicology in addition to social science electives, including microeconomics and global environmental issues. The curriculum culminates in an internship, in which students are immersed in an experience relevant to the foundational coursework and potential jobs graduates may obtain.
Environmental science majors can be employed in the government, industry, and non-government organizations doing natural resource conservation, promoting sustainability, or undertake specialized graduate study in environmental science.
Environmental science students also have the option to perform independent research with chemistry and biology faculty, with projects varying from a single term to multiple years. Students often present results from their research at professional conferences.
Facilities at Elmira College for studying environmental science include laboratories and computer labs for research, instrumentation, and teaching. Instruments and software that are of particular interest to environmental science students include gas chromatography mass spectrometry instrument, an atomic absorption spectrometer, and geographic information systems software (ArcGIS).
Students can be involved in science groups on campus, including the American Chemical Society Chemistry Club and the Environmental Adventure Club.