Environmental Science

In-Depth

At Saint Michael’s you’ll dive deep into the science of our world’s environmental challenges with the aim of bringing better balance between human society and the natural world. Our educational focus is on helping students understand their place in the world and how they can make a difference, and Environmental Science majors have a wealth of opportunities to use their education to improve our campus and ecologically sensitive areas nearby.

You’ll be encouraged to work with community stakeholders, industry leaders, and governmental partners on research with real-world implications. A cornerstone of your education will be to conduct research that helps you think critically about both the environment and society, recognize bias, and communicate effectively in written, visual, and oral forms- all crucial skills for both a career or graduate studies.

You’ll follow a curriculum that is both rigorous and flexible so you can take courses that best match your interests and passions. Our students’ ability to take interdisciplinary coursework allows them to gain multiple perspectives and points of view.

Research

Opportunities abound for impactful environmental research at St. Mike’s. The Institute for the Environment is one hub for environmental research and learning in five key areas: Environmental Education, Ecological Restoration, Sustainability, Farm & Food, and Environmental Analysis. In addition, St. Mike’s has a paid research program where students are mentored by one of their professors and students are able to follow research questions that align with their passions. Students can also gain research experience through independent study and working as a research assistant for one of their professor’s research projects.

If sustainable farming is your passion, you can also explore these practices as the Saint Michael’s College Farm, providing locally raised fresh produce for our college community through a weekly farmer’s market and a CSA model.

Internships

All Environmental Science majors are encouraged to take an internship to provide real-world, hands-on experience that complements your coursework.  You can choose credit bearing and/or paid experiences that occur during academic semesters or summer.  Some examples of recent student internships include bioassessment (Aquatec Biological Sciences), pollution monitoring (Vermont EPSCoR), water or wastewater treatment (Essex Wastewater Treatment Facility), watershed and fisheries management (US Fish and Wildlife) or an array of research opportunities with faculty members in the Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science and Studies programs at Saint Michael’s College.

Saint Michael’s College is also an affiliate member of the School for Field Studies, which provides semester-long and summer programs in ecology and natural resource management at its field stations abroad in Costa Rica, Mexico, the Turks & Caicos Islands (in the eastern Caribbean), Australia, and Kenya.

Careers

Environmental Science grads have a range of promising career options. These in-demand students can look forward to career opportunities in the private sector, non-profits, and government agencies in roles such as:

• Environmental Consultant
• Urban Planner
• Environmental Policy Analyst
• Sustainability Coordinator/Manager
• Renewable Energy Specialist
• Park Ranger/ Forest Ranger
• Agricultural or Food Scientist
• Biological Technician
• Geoscientist
• Environmental Educators
• Military Officer and/or National Guard
• Environmental Stewardship
• State Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Positions
• Regenerative and/or Organic Farmer
• Landscape Designer and Caretaker
• Wildlife Biologist