Environmental Science at Clark
Environmental science (ES) is an interdisciplinary major, bringing together the study of the physical, biological, geographical, and policy aspects of the natural environment. If you choose to major in environmental science, you will take courses in all areas of the major, but will choose one of the three tracks below as your primary focus. Environmental Science also offers a minor and an honors program.
- Earth Systems Science
B.A. program - Environmental and Conservation Biology
B.A. program - Environmental Science and Policy (ES&P)
B.A., M.A. and accelerated B.A./M.A. programs
Interdisciplinary Faculty
ES faculty come from a wide range of Clark departments. Most are from biology; geography; and international development, community, and environment (IDCE), but others are from departments as diverse as chemistry, economics, management, philosophy, government and physics. Many research faculty from Clark's George Perkins Marsh Institute are also contributors to the ES major.
What can you do with an environmental science major?
Environmental Science at Clark provides training if you are interested in pursuing a career in science, government, business, consulting, or education. Clark graduates are working is such wide range of areas as environmental regulations of pollution, water and wetlands conservation, clean technology, hazardous waste cleanup, public health protection, environmental planning, field and laboratory studies of endangered species and conservation planning. Some students pursue graduate work and go on to careers in academia and law degrees.
2012 LEEP Project Pioneers: Environmental Science Major
Cynthia Alonso '14 and Doug Rice '13 spent the summer at the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, one of the most active land protection NGOs in Massachusetts. Their two major projects involved water quality and macroinvertebrate sampling in the Otter River watershed, and invasive plant surveys of Mt. Grace conservation lands. The students gained experience in conservation-restriction monitoring, habitat-improvement efforts, and public outreach. Read Cynthia's blog.
Lauren Ziemer '13 worked on a research project, "Coastal Ecology Research Supporting Ecosystem-Based Management," that entailed field and lab work studying estuaries at the Wells Reserve on the Maine coast. She monitored changes in the marsh vegetation from the effects of increased amounts of freshwater and nutrient runoff from land-use shifts and climate change, such as sea-level rise. Lauren also is leading a wading bird survey for the Wells Reserve.
Benjamin D. Gardner '12 began his fifth year tuition-free through Clark University's Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program last fall. Benjamin is working on a Clark Sustainability Map, creating an interactive tool that serves as an engaging and informative gateway to Clark's sustainability community and green initiatives. The aim of this tool is to address—but more importantly to transcend—baseline functionalities (e.g., way-finding and self-promoting) in a way that conveys Clark's culture and fosters a connection between audiences and the University.
Amy Kapitan '13 worked as a liaison between National Grid and stakeholders within Worcester and Massachusetts, as well as between smart meter customers and National Grid. Amy helped put the plans together for a Sustainability Hub which is part of the Department of Public Utilities pilot that was approved for Worcester. The Hub will be a place where customers can go to have questions answered about the smart grid, smart meters, any related technologies, and sustainable energy in Worcester.