Environmental Science and Studies Majors

At Washington College, you will use the Chesapeake Bay region—its farms and waterways, history and culture, people and their environmental concerns—as a learning laboratory. Both the Environmental Studies and Environmental Science majors prepare students to critically analyze and investigate solutions to regional and global environmental issues. Whether you're interested in taking water and soil samples, pursuing a career in environmental policy, or want to better understand the connections between humans and the environment, environmental studies or environmental science may be the major for you! 
 

Environmental Studies (B.A.) is the overlap of humans and the natural sphere with a focus on human interaction. It gives a holistic approach to the study of the environment. Courses are taught by faculty across campus so you can see the wide applications of environmental studies and address regional and global social-environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.  

Environmental Science (B.S.) is a science-based look at environmental interactions between humans and the world around us. The major is rooted in scientific study, with courses in chemistry, physics, geology, and more. Majoring in environmental science, you will get into the lab as part of your very first course in the major. Many labs are outdoors, exploring a variety of ecosystems including rivers, lakes, wetlands, farmland, fields, and more.  The River and Field Campus (RAFC) provides numerous environments for classes and labs to conduct research and take samples. 

The key difference between the majors is your interest in courses and what you plan to do after graduation. With our expansive approach to training all students in the breadth of environmental topics, you can choose courses based on your interests, rather than fulfill requirements for a particular concentration as is often required at other colleges. 

 
Environmental studies and science are the study of the interaction of the human world and the natural world. This tends to be expressed as solving environmental problems, but it can also be studying how humans interact with nature. In either major, you will be prepared with foundational skills and select courses that interest you with hands-on laboratory analysis, critical thinking, and data analysis skills to tackle environmental issues.  
 
Part of a well-rounded education on the environment includes learning how to approach and engage with different ecosystems. As part of your studies, you may choose to complete a year- or semester-long study abroad. Department-specific short-term study abroad opportunities over the summer, completing coursework while in another country, are also possible. Spend time at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences to examine the complex ecology of the Bermuda Islands and coral reef ecosystems, the impact humans have had on their natural history, and current environmental concerns and proposed solutions, or immerse yourself in Ecuadorian cultures and examine environmental challenges affecting the country during a short-term study abroad program. Double majoring is possible with either major. To browse our full course offerings, visit our catalog.