Environmental Science

Environmental science teaches students to address growing concerns about environmental problems in the contemporary world. You'll explore this interdisciplinary field, working to understand the interactions among physical, chemical, biological, and human factors.

Students in class

Be prepared to do good in the world

It takes a comprehensive understanding of how the environment functions to think of creative solutions to improve conservation, increase sustainable use, and restore natural resources. Concerns of environmental degradation are ever more pressing in the 21st century and have led to a growing demand for specialists in this field as well as programs to train these specialists.

Our flexible program allows students to earn a BS in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science. Students will learn how to approach the world's problems from many angles and find green solutions.

First Year

BIOL113 General Biology 4
BIOL218 General Biology II-Organismal Diversity in the Environment 4
CHEM111 Principles of General Chemistry 4
OR
CHEM113 General & Quantitative Chemistry I 4
CHEM112 Principles of Organic Chemistry 4
STAT118 Introductory Statistics 4

Second Year

BIOL104 Introduction to Environmental Science 4
BIOL225 Cell Biology 4
BIOL245 Principles of Ecology 4

Third Year

BIOL222 Animal Physiology 4
BIOL322 Evolutionary Biology 4
ENVI200 Environmental Forum 2

List of Electives

To complete the minimum degree requirements, students must take three additional courses in biology from the list below; a minimum of two must be 300 level.


BIOL221 Microbiology 4
BIOL231 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
BIOL232 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
BIOL233 Strength and Conditioning 4
BIOL246 Foundations of Exercise and Health 4
BIOL322 Evolutionary Biology 4
BIOL331 Immunobiology 4
BIOL332 Exercise Physiology 4
BIOL333 Marine Biology 4
BIOL334 Neurobiology 4
BIOL335 Stem Cells, Regeneration, and Developmental Biology 4
BIOL338 Microbial Pathogenesis 4
BIOL 339 Special Topics in Biology 3
BIOL347 Human Development and Genetics 4
BIOL362 Kinesiology 4

Capstone

In the senior year students must satisfy their Capstone requirement by taking two semesters of:



BIOL350 Independent Laboratory Research 4
OR
BIOL355 Thesis 4
OR
BIOL370 Internship 4

Spotlight on Environmental Students and Alums

Dawn Stolfi Stalenhoef ’92MA

Attorney Dawn Stolfi Stalenhoef ’92MA Named “Top Women of Law” in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

Alumna Dawn Stolfi Stalenhoef is a Boston-based attorney who specializes in real estate, environmental, and land use law. In the fall of 2023, she was named among the “Top Women of Law” in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. She spoke with us about her early inclinations toward the legal profession and the value of her customized Simmons education.


Monica Alves with Boston skyline in the far background

Monica Alves ’16 Discusses Recent Career Change and Passion for Poetry

Environmental Science major Monica Alves’s first major career revolved around water science. Recently, she has transitioned into oncology-related research data. In this interview, Alves imparts advice on changing careers and discusses her love for writing children’s poetry. Tell us about...


Simmons MCB in Fall

Passionate Leaders Project: Fall 2022 Cohort

The Passionate Leaders Project (PLP) supports undergraduate students by funding research opportunities that transcend traditional coursework. Participants of the PLP develop research and critical thinking skills and bring the insights of academia to real world issues. This year’s cohort addresses mental health, neuroscience, environmental science, the foster care system, and technology.


Simmons University Main College Building's cupola with the Boston city skyline in the background

Successful Adaptations: Simmons World Challenge and Working Globally

The Simmons World Challenge is about learning from an international perspective — but how do you learn internationally with the COVID-19 travel restrictions? Professor Kristina Pechulis and Samantha Margolin '23 tell us how students still learned global lessons.


Main College Building cupola with fall leaves

Passionate Leaders Project: Fall 2020 Cohort

The Passionate Leaders Project supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom.


Headshot of Kalei Porter

Kalei Porter '20 Takes her Research to the Coral Reefs of Samoa

Kalei Porter '20 is a keynote speaker at the 2020 Undergraduate Symposium!