Earth & Environmental Sciences

B.A., B.S.

Learn how Earth and the environment evolve; how systems interact to produce our environment, and how changes may impact society.

Prepare for careers as geophysicists, hydrologists, technicians, analysts, and in the fast-growing environmental industry.

Erik Klemetti ,Professor, Chair of Earth & Environmental Sciences

Mary Lucas-Miller ’97 ,Program Coordinator

What you’ll study as an Earth or Environmental Science major

In our rigorous STEM-based program, you learn how to address critical environmental issues — including global climate change, water shortages, and the loss of arable land — and explore solutions that allow humans to live sustainably and productively. Learn more.

Build your scientific core

Understand the geologic processes that impact the Earth, the physics behind tectonics, the chemistry of rock and soil composition, and the biological and chemical processes that contribute to the composition of our planet.

Attain quantitative literacy

Build powerful quantitative skills that help you tackle complex problems with clarity and precision. Translate real-world challenges into mathematical and computational models, using tools that reveal patterns in dynamic systems.

Contribute to future generations

Learn to address critical environmental issues, including global climate change, water shortages, loss of arable land, natural hazards such as earthquakes and flooding, and dwindling access to energy resources.

Why is Earth or Environmental Sciences better at Denison?

Field trips: the ultimate hands-on practicum. You’ll have opportunities to travel near and far to explore Earth and environmental science concepts with faculty experts. Denison students have ventured to New England, the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the central and southern Appalachians, the western U.S., and Hawaii.

An earth sciences major flies a drone along the banks of a river as her faculty mentor watches from the shoreline.

State-of-the-art lab facilities

Operate a fallout nuclide detector, laser particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscope, seismometers, stable isotope and biogeochemistry sampling equipment, petrographic imaging systems, large format map plotter, and examine our enormous collection of minerals, rocks, and fossils.

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Support for STEM majors

Denison provides proven resources to help students in the sciences thrive. Learn practical and effective study strategies as you work with peer mentors and academic tutors.

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Jobs as an Earth or Environmental Sciences major

A degree in Earth or environmental science prepares you for careers in STEM-related industries. Recent graduates are analysts and lab assistants with JERA Renewables, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the American Geosciences Institute, while others have gone on to graduate school and Fulbright fellowships.

Career communities

Earth and Environmental Sciences majors often join one or more of our career communities. Discover potential jobs and career paths in one of our career communities such as the Technology, Data, & Science or the Social Impact, Education, & Government communities.

Career Exploration

Through the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration and its training center, Denison Edge, career coaches help you prepare for the next step after college, and industry experts help you acquire specialized skills and certifications.

Internships

Take an internship (or two!) to explore careers related to Earth and environmental sciences. Recent students have interned at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Save the Bay, and Fundación Runa.

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Study Abroad

Study Earth and environmental sciences in your chosen region to enhance your language skills and build your career network. Conduct research on a traditional semester abroad or take a summer internship in another country.

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Summer Scholars

Delve into independent research through our Summer Scholar program. All Summer Scholars receive a stipend and a housing allowance plus supplemental funds for research expenses. Off-Campus Summer Scholars also receive travel funding.

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Spotlights

The science behind the art of writing

The course emphasizes storytelling for scientists looking to publicize their work and teaches storytellers how to write about science with more expertise.