Environmental Science, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Marist College

Program Overview

Marist University’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science prepares students to investigate environmental challenges through scientific methods, laboratory work, field studies, and data analysis. It is well suited to students interested in understanding ecosystems, assessing pollution, protecting natural resources, and pursuing careers in environmental consulting, research, government agencies, or sustainability-related fields.

Curriculum Structure

The university publishes course requirements but does not present them as a fixed year-by-year sequence on the program page. The following is an illustrative progression; students should confirm the recommended course sequence with Marist academic advising.

Year 1: Build your scientific foundation. Students can begin with ENSC 101 Introduction to Environmental Issues, which introduces natural systems, biodiversity, pollution, energy resources, and the environmental effects of human activities. ENSC 125 Field and Lab Experience introduces practical environmental investigation, helping students connect classroom concepts with observations and measurements in the field and laboratory.

Year 2: Understand environmental systems and human impacts. Courses such as ENSC 210 Introduction to Geology and ENSC 212 Introduction to Geology Lab develop students’ understanding of geological resources, groundwater, surface water, erosion, and geological mapping. ENSC 202 Environmental Politics and Policy introduces the political and policy dimensions of environmental challenges, helping students understand how scientific issues intersect with public decision-making.

Year 3: Develop specialist and applied skills. Students can advance into areas such as ENSC 230 Introduction to GIS, which supports spatial analysis, and ENSC 310 Environmental Chemistry, which develops knowledge relevant to environmental processes and contamination. ENSC 380 Principles of Environmental Assessment focuses on environmental impact assessment, monitoring-program design, sampling, and interpreting environmental data.

Year 4: Apply your learning through research or professional experience. Students complete a substantial applied experience through ENSC 440–441 Research I and II or ENSC 398–399 Internship, depending on the applicable requirements. The curriculum also includes ENSC 477 Environmental Science and Human Values, which examines the ethical and social dimensions of environmental degradation and the relationships among ecology, economics, sociology, and ethics.

Focus Areas

Environmental systems and ecology, geology, environmental chemistry, GIS and spatial analysis, environmental assessment, pollution and water quality, environmental politics and policy, natural resource management, and environmental ethics.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to understand natural systems and their interactions, investigate environmental problems using scientific methods, collect and interpret field and laboratory data, evaluate environmental impacts, and connect scientific evidence with environmental policy and decision-making. Research and internship experiences also help students strengthen professional communication, analytical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills.

Professional Alignment and Accreditation

The program prepares students for work in environmental laboratories, consulting firms, government agencies, environmental advocacy organizations, and research settings. Marist’s official program information does not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation, so students planning to enter a regulated profession should confirm any additional qualifications or licensing requirements relevant to their intended career.

Reputation and Employability

Marist reports that 97% of School of Science graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study within six months of graduation, based on a five-year average from its annual outcomes report, with a reported knowledge rate of 86.8%. This is a School of Science figure, not a result specific to Environmental Science graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Marist University, Environmental Science students can take learning beyond the classroom through fieldwork, laboratory investigations, research, and professional internships. The university’s location along the Hudson River gives students access to a valuable natural environment for studying water quality, aquatic organisms, and ecosystem health. Students can also work with faculty on research projects or complete an internship that connects their scientific training with real environmental challenges.

Key practical learning opportunities include:

- River Lab: Located at the Cornell Boathouse on Marist’s riverfront, the lab has a flow-through system that allows students to collect water and river wildlife for research experiments. This supports hands-on investigation of aquatic ecosystems and water quality.

- Hudson River fieldwork: Students can study water chestnuts and their effects on water quality and the river ecosystem, collecting measurements such as dissolved oxygen, fish biodiversity, pH, and water temperature.

- Field and laboratory coursework: The program includes ENSC 125 Field and Lab Experience, giving students practical exposure to environmental observation, measurement, and scientific investigation.

- GIS training: ENSC 230 Introduction to GIS provides an introduction to geographic information systems and spatial analysis, useful for environmental mapping and assessment. The official program information identifies the course but does not specify a required GIS software package.

- Required internship or faculty-supervised research: Environmental Science and Policy majors must complete six credits of internship, six credits of directed research, or a combination of three credits of each. Research students work with a faculty member and may prepare a written report and public seminar presentation.

- Internship placements: Past placement sites listed by Marist include the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, the National Park Service, Scenic Hudson, the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council, and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Placements depend on availability and student arrangements.

- Environmental assessment projects: ENSC 380 Principles of Environmental Assessment introduces sampling, environmental monitoring, sample preparation, and data interpretation for evaluating environmental impacts.

- Research presentation opportunities: Faculty-supervised research may culminate in a public seminar and can include presentations at scientific conferences, helping students develop research communication skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A B.S. in Environmental Science from Marist can prepare graduates to investigate environmental problems, monitor natural resources, support environmental assessments, and contribute to conservation and sustainability projects. The program’s combination of scientific coursework, field and laboratory experience, and an internship or research requirement helps students build experience for entry-level roles or prepare for graduate study.

Potential career paths include:

Environmental Scientist or Environmental Analyst
Water Quality Monitoring Technician
Environmental Consulting or Site Assessment Assistant
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician

Students can pursue these and related roles in environmental laboratories, consulting firms, government agencies, conservation organizations, and research institutions. Specific job titles and entry requirements vary by employer and experience.

Career Support and Professional Preparation

- Internship coordination: Marist’s School of Science provides support for arranging internships relevant to students’ interests. The program’s internship requirement gives students a structured opportunity to gain workplace experience and build professional connections.

- Career and research experience: Students can choose a professional internship or faculty-supervised research, allowing them to develop practical skills suited to either employment or further academic study.

- Graduate outcomes: Marist reports that 97% of School of Science graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study within six months of graduation. This is a school-wide figure based on a five-year average, not a program-specific employment rate.

- Employer and graduate-school destinations: Marist’s Environmental Science and Policy department lists alumni working in areas such as soil conservation, water quality monitoring, environmental consulting, laboratory management, and GIS. Organizations listed include the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and environmental consulting and research organizations.

- Partnership and placement opportunities: The university identifies internship opportunities with organizations such as the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Scenic Hudson, and the National Park Service. These are examples of previous internship sites, not guaranteed placements or employment partnerships.

- Accreditation and salary information: The official sources reviewed do not identify a separate professional accreditation for this degree or provide a program-specific salary figure. Students should check the requirements of their intended profession and consult current employment data for the roles and locations they are considering.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can consider master’s programs in Environmental Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Planning, or Public Policy. Those interested in research or academic careers may pursue doctoral study in environmental or related sciences. Marist also identifies environmental law as a possible direction for students who continue their education in law school.