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Why ºìÐÓÊÓƵ For Environmental Studies and Sciences?

a young woman lowers a piece of scientific equipment in a lake

 

Study the Environment. Think Globally. Act Locally.

Environmental challenges are among the most pressing of the 21st century—from climate change and biodiversity loss to urban sustainability and environmental justice. At ºìÐÓÊÓƵ College, our Environmental Studies & Sciences Program prepares students to lead in this rapidly changing world with a combination of global perspective, local engagement, and hands-on experience.

a group of students sit on a rocky outcropping overlooking a savannah
a young woman on a boat holds a jellyfish in the palm of her hand

 

Global Perspective, Real-World Experience

Our students don’t just study environmental issues—they experience them across the world. ºìÐÓÊÓƵ encourages study abroad and international internships, and our students have explored environmental questions in:

  • Costa Rica – Rainforest ecology
  • Namibia – Desert conservation and African environmental policy
  • South Africa & Bolivia – Sustainability and development issues
  • Ecuador â€“ Tropical Biology

 

A Unique Urban Ecosystem

What sets ºìÐÓÊÓƵ apart? Our location. We're a small liberal arts college in the heart of Memphis—right on the Mississippi River, on the edge of the Delta, and atop the New Madrid Fault. It’s a one-of-a-kind intersection of natural and urban environments that provides incredible opportunities for student research on:

  • Urban environmental challenges
  • Brownfields and land use
  • Environmental justice
  • River ecosystems and geology
a student in a boat takes samples of lake water

 

Interdisciplinary by Design

Environmental problems don’t stay in one academic lane, so neither do we.

  • Our program spans 12 academic departments—from Biology and Chemistry to Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics.
  • All majors explore environmental questions from scientific, social, and humanistic perspectives.
  • Both majors require Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—a crucial and in-demand technical skill.
a large group of students with insect nets

 

Internships, Research, & Real-World Learning

ºìÐÓÊÓƵ students take what they learn and apply it through internships, fieldwork, and student-led research. Our Memphis partnerships include:

  • Shelby Farms Park Conservancy – the largest urban park in the U.S.
  • Memphis Zoo
  • Wolf River Conservancy
  • Project Green Fork, Bridges USA, and more

Students present their work at the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Symposium (end of spring semester) and at regional and national conferences.

students sit at computers
a group of students stand on a dock with a lake and mountains in the background

 

Study Abroad & Field Courses

We encourage students to take their learning off campus with immersive experiences like:

  • Namibia Field Course – Environmental Issues in Southern Africa
  • Semester in Environmental Science at the Woods Hole Marine Biology lab in Massachusetts – Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis, Terrestrial Ecosystem Analysis, Microbial Methods in Ecology.
  • Global Environmental Challenges in Ecuador – Tropical Biology, Linking the Local to the Global, and Environment, Conservation & Policy Issues

 

Close Mentorship & Support

At ºìÐÓÊÓƵ, you’ll never be just a number. Our students benefit from:

  • One-on-one faculty mentorship
  • Supportive classroom environments
  • Personal guidance on internships, research, and career paths
  • Strong letters of recommendation grounded in real relationships

We also offer travel grants for student research and conferences, and funding for environmental study abroad programs.

a professor and a student in a chemistry lab

 

Ready to Join Us?

If you're curious about the world around you, passionate about making a difference, and ready to engage across disciplines, ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Environmental Studies & Sciences might be the perfect fit.

Come explore, ask questions, get your hands dirty—and help build a more sustainable future.

two students take samples in a forest
a student with a sample box in the forest
a group of students in front of a Tropic of Capricorn sign
a group of students under a tree