BS in Environmental Science and Sustainability

Shape a More Sustainable Future

Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and Sustainability are interconnected disciplines crucial for addressing contemporary environmental challenges and ensuring the well-being of both ecosystems and human populations. While each field has its distinct focus, they intersect in various ways, fostering a holistic approach to environmental protection and management.

Clarkson University's Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability gives you a broad background in relevant laws, history, ethics, chemistry, biology, groundbreaking technologies, and sustainable practices. Then, customize your course of study with a concentration based on potential career paths in:

environmental health and safety
environmental science
environmental policy or
sustainable solutions

This interdisciplinary degree reflects today's multipronged approach to sustainability — one that preserves the natural world, supports biodiversity, and balances human impact with protection of the planet we all share.

Why Study Environmental Science and Sustainability at Clarkson?

Our program is tight-knit, rigorous and designed so that you can tailor the curriculum to your interests. The coursework emphasizes sustainability and hands-on experience through projects, starting from your very first year of studies. In your final year, you complete a capstone project that allows you to explore your research interests. A robust number of minors helps you round out your education. You'll

All students must participate in a co-op, internship, directed research or a community project to graduate. You also have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in immersion experiences like a Global Business Program trip focused on socioeconomics and sustainable development in East Africa. Our world-class faculty frequently invite students to collaborate on their research teams and serve as mentors for their own projects.

We take pride in putting our sustainability education into action. The major is offered through our Institute for a Sustainable Environment, a renowned cross-campus hub for education, research and campus sustainability initiatives. We have been named one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the country by The Princeton Review and one of the top 75 most eco-literate colleges by the Sierra Club. We have also received a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

And, our Environmental Science & Sustainability majors had a 100 percent placement rate in 2024.

What You Will Learn and Do

Use a systems perspective to address significant environmental, cultural and ethical issues related to human and natural systems in an informed, just and equitable manner.
Develop skills to use state-of-art tools and techniques for environmental science and sustainability investigations and solutions.
Work closely with faculty and interdisciplinary student teams to explore and investigate systems ranging from our backyard beaver pond to a manufacturing facility to collect data for analysis and propose solutions to real-world and challenging sustainability problems.
Communicate the essential elements of environmental inquiry and design through multi-media approaches to a variety of audiences.

Curriculum

The bachelor’s in environmental science and sustainability requires 48 credit hours as required core classes. The program begins with a common core exploring STEM applications to sustainability challenges, requires each student to hone a specialty through one of a choice of four concentrations, and adds additional flexibility through electives. Electives present the chance to add a minor or double major, including in a related area like biology, project management, environmental engineering, political science or psychology.

The required classes for a student in this major and concentrations are listed below.

Basic Science Courses

BY140 Biology I (3 credits)
BY142 Biology I Laboratory (2 credits)
BY160 Biology II (3 credits)
BY222 Ecology (3 credits)
BY224 Ecology Lab (2 credits)
BY320 Microbiology
CM 131 General Chemistry I (4 credits) OR CM103 Structure and Bonding & CM106 Chemistry Lab I (3 & 2 credits)
CM132 General Chemistry II (4 credits) OR CM104 Equilibrium and Dynamics & CM106 Chemistry Lab II (3 & 2 credits)
CM241 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
PH141 Physics for Life Sciences I OR PH131 Physics I (4 credits)
PH142 Physics for Life Sciences II OR PH132 Physics II

Math Courses

MA180 Intro to College Math OR MA131 Calculus I (4 credits)
MA181 Basic Calculus OR MA132 Calculus II (3 credits)
STAT318 Biostatistics OR STAT282 General Statistics (3-4 credits)
EC150 Microeconomics OR EC350 (3 credits)
EC360 Environmental Economics (3 credits)

Environmental Science and Sustainability Courses

EV100 Intro to Environmental Science & Sustainability (1 credit)
EV280 Environmental Science (3 credits)
CE/SC301 Geographical Information Systems (3 credits)
EV305 Sustainability and Environment (3 credits)
POL470 Environmental Policy (3 credits)
EV400* Capstone (3 credits)
EV432 Risk Analysis
EV490 Professional Experience

Your choice! Classes for your concentration (38-43 credits) and free electives (29-34 credits).

Environmental Health and Safety Concentration

The concentration in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) gives you the scientific and technical knowledge to identify environmental hazards, minimize their risks and discover innovative solutions so that we can better live, work and thrive in our surroundings.

Students interested in this concentration take the following courses:

Two Core Science electives
(examples – Organic Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Instrument Lab)
Three additional Environmental Health & Safety Electives
(examples – Human Exposure Assessment, Chemical Process Safety, IH Control Methods)
One additional Environmental Science of Earth Science Elective
(examples – Conservation Biology, Microbiology, Biological Systems and Env Change, Sustainability & Env. Conservation in Kenya, Earth’s Dynamic Climate: Science and Implications)
One Policy or Economics Elective
(Examples – Environmental Economics, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law and Politics)
One Social Science or Communication elective
(examples – Health, Wealth and Inequality and the Environment, Cities & Social Justice)
Ten additional electives

Environmental Science Concentration

Choose a concentration in Environmental Science to dive into the heart of environmental research and make a real impact on the world's ecosystems. Or prepare to work as a conservation biologist, preserving biodiversity and conserving natural habitats.

Students interested in our environmental science concentration take the following courses:

BY224 Ecology Lab or EHS310 Intro to EHS Lab (2 credits)
EHS/BY309 Intro Environmental & Occupational Health (3 credits)
BY328 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
BY320 Microbiology (3 credits)
CM132 Chemistry II (4 credits)
PH142 (or 132) Physics Life Science (4 credits)
BY160 Cell & Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Two additional Environmental Science Electives
(examples – Biological Systems and Env Change, Sustainability & Env. Conservation in Kenya, River Restoration)
Two additional Earth Science Electives
(examples - Earth’s Dynamic Climate: Science and Implications, Groundwater Hydrology & Geochem, Atmospheric Chemistry)
One Policy or Economics Elective
(examples – Environmental Economics, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law and Politics)
Two Social Science or Communication electives
(examples – Health, Wealth and Inequality and the Environment, Cities & Social Justice)
Ten additional electives

Environmental Policy Concentration

Shape the future of our planet by influencing policies, laws, and regulations that drive sustainable change. Or be a guiding force for corporations, helping them adopt eco-friendly practices and sustainable strategies.

Students interested in this concentration take the following courses:

BY224 Ecology Lab (2 credits)
EC360 Environmental Economics (3 credits)
POL220 American Politics or POL260 Intro to Public Policy (3 credits)
EC150 Microeconomics (3 credits)
Two additional Environmental Science, Environmental Health & Safety, or Earth Science courses(examples - Conservation Biology, Biological Systems and Env Change, Sustainability & Env. Conservation in Kenya, Chemical Process Safety)
Three additional Policy or Economics Electives (Examples – Environmental Law, Human Rights Law and Politics, Violence and Reconciliation, Env. Political Theory)
Four additional Social Science or Communication electives
(examples – Health, Wealth and Inequality and the Environment, Cities & Social Justice, Global Perspectives on Sexuality, Race inequality in the U.S.)
Eleven additional electives

Sustainable Solutions Concentration

Learn how to integrate business, policy, social science and technology solutions for a better and more sustainable world.

Students interested in this concentration take the following courses:

BY224 Ecology Lab or EHS310 Intro to EHS Lab (2 credits)
ES238 Intro to Energy Systems (3 credits)
Two additional Sustainable Solutions choices
(examples - Sustainability & Env. Conservation in Kenya, Human Exposure Assessment, River Restoration, Sustainable Development Engineering, Team-based Design and Innovation, Risk Analysis, Industrial Ecology)
One Climate Change choice
(examples - Climate Change: Science, Engineering & Policy, Earth’s Dynamic Climate: Science and Implications)
One Sustainability Social Science choice
(examples - Health, Wealth, Inequality and the Environment, Culture and the Environment, Social and Political Issues in the Adirondacks)
One Sustainability Business choice
(examples – Environmental Economics, Strategic Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Environmental Management)
Two additional Environmental Science, Environmental Health & Safety, or Earth Science courses (examples - Conservation Biology, Biological Systems and Environmental Change, Chemical Process Safety)
Two additional Policy or Economics Electives
(Examples – Environmental Law, Human Rights Law and Politics, Violence and Reconciliation, Environmental Political Theory)
Two additional Social Science or Communication electives
(examples – Cities & Social Justice, Global Perspectives on Sexuality, Race Inequality in the U.S.)
Eleven additional electives

Undergraduate Research

Apply your growing knowledge base to faculty-led research projects. Students have worked with professors on research regarding green energy policy, wetland restoration ecology, the interactions between freshwater plankton and trace metal elements and more. Opportunities are open to undergraduates during the school year and summer sessions. Learn more about research at Clarkson.

Co-ops and Internships

One of the most meaningful components of the program is the professional experience requirement. Choose between completing a co-op, internship, directed research or community project. Learn more about co-ops and internships.

Capstone Project

In your final year, you will deliver a capstone project that encompasses what you have learned. It can be completed as an individual or as part of a group project related to environmental issues or sustainability. In the past, students have focused their projects on topics like the effects of different agricultural practices on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks, the potential for community composting in Potsdam and an analysis of carbon sequestration on campus.

Immersion Experiences

Explore how your studies can have a real-world impact through hands-on learning opportunities. These include the Adirondack Semester program, sustainability global travel courses and other study-abroad options. Learn more about these options.

Clubs and Organizations

Find a community of creators and innovators through Clarkson’s 200-plus student groups. Several are related to the environment and sustainability, including the Clarkson Sustainability Club, Engineers for International Sustainability, Garden Club, New York Water Environment Association, Clarkson University Outing Club and more. Explore all clubs and organizations now.

Minors

Use your elective credits to explore a subdiscipline or related area with a minor:

Environmental Health & Safety Minor

Focus on the relationship between chemicals, waste and human exposure to these hazards in the environment or workplace. Learn tactics to better protect our world. Learn more about the environmental health science minor.

Sustainable Energy Systems Engineering Minor

Expand your knowledge of the technical, environmental and policy aspects of sustainable energy systems. Learn about their potential to transform society going forward. Learn more about the sustainable energy systems engineering minor.

Sustainable Solutions Minor

Learn to bridge the divide between social equity economic development and preserving the environment. Focus is given to solutions for the developing world. Learn more about the sustainable solutions for the developing world minor.

The ISE also offers the following two minors to all students:

Environmental Policy Minor

Understand what’s needed to protect the environment. This minor blends policy with environmental science. Learn more about the environmental policy minor.

Environmental Science Minor

Grow your knowledge of how the Earth operates. Explore ecology, sustainability, bioinformatics, microbiology and hydrology further. Learn more about the environmental science minor.

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Training (HAZWOPER)

HAZWOPER training prepares cleanup and emergency response workers to operate safely during a variety of scenarios involving hazardous substances. This training covers policies, practices and procedures that reduce the risk of injury and illness related to harmful exposures on the worksite. The course satisfies the training requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120 for Hazardous Waste Site Operations.

The primary goals of this course are to familiarize workers with the selection, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment and safe work practices.

The course content includes:

Regulatory requirements
Medical monitoring/heat stress
Chemical hazards
Drill rig and heavy equipment safety
Toxicology
Site safety and health plans
Hazard and risk assessment
Site layout
Personal protective equipment
Decontamination procedures
Instrumentation and monitoring
Realistic hands-on training

40-Hour Course

This 40-hour course dives into details on how to remain safe on hazardous waste job sites and during emergency response. This course is for those involved in cleanup operations, voluntary cleanup operations, disposal, emergency response operations, storage or treatment of hazardous substances or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. HAZWOPER 40 Hour is a requirement for employees working on a project consisting of Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Operation.

Once you have completed the course, you will receive your 40-hour certification. If you already have your 40 hours of training, then renew your HAZWOPER certification with the 8-hour refresher.

8-Hour Annual Refresher

The 8-hour Refresher Course meets the requirements outlined in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 and is for all individuals who have completed the 40-hour training course. This course is for general site workers who complete tasks involving removing hazardous waste and exposure or potential exposure to hazardous substances or health hazards.

Contact ISE for the schedule of training as times vary each year.

Ignite Your Passion

"I had first heard about Clarkson in regard to their sustainability. I love the environment, and I firmly thought that at Clarkson, I would ‘ignite’ that passion and discover my path in life."

Elise DeVeau '25

Career Possibilities

The demand for environmental scientists and specialists is only expected to continue to grow over the next decade. Our students begin careers in public agencies, environmental organizations, state or federal government, education, environmental research, green companies and more.

Potential roles include:

Environmental scientist
Environmental educator
Sustainability consultant
Environmental policy analyst
Environmental health and safety specialist
Conservation biologist
Climate change analyst

The curriculum can also serve as preparation for graduate degrees in the health sciences, including medicine, dentistry or veterinary science.

Employers and Graduate Schools

Our graduates have found success in both the public and private sectors, with the Class of 2023 graduates having a 100-percent placement rate. Clarkson environmental science and policy majors have been recruited by the following organizations, companies and institutions:

Arcadis
Atlantic Testing Laboratories
Ducks Unlimited
Dynamac
EA Engineering
Hamilton College
New York State DEC
Northern Ecological Associates
NYC Department of Environmental Protection
Regional, county and local environmental agencies
Taitem Engineering
Triumvirate Environmental
Washington State Environmental Conservation Agency

Many graduates also choose to pursue advanced degree programs. Many have pursued graduate degrees through Clarkson's own Environmental Science and Engineering MS and PhD programs and Clarkson's MBA program (one-year or online). Other graduate schools where our students have recently enrolled include: