Environmental Science & Sustainability Major & Minor

“Over the last century, the world has been transformed. The population rose exponentially, standards of living skyrocketed, and technological advances allowed global societies to become increasingly interconnected. These changes were fueled by the unprecedented use or pollution of environmental resources such as groundwater, fisheries, soils, forests, the atmosphere, hydrocarbons, and mineral deposits. Now in the 21st century, we must find a way for a still-expanding population to live sustainably: to address environmental problems decades in the making as well as those that are newly developing. Our environmental science and sustainability curriculum aims to train students in the interconnectedness of environmental problems and provide them the scientific background necessary to solve them.” -Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston

You’ll have ample opportunities to build up your research skills within this major, a highly desirable skill-set to employers. You’ll conduct research projects within some courses, and may have the opportunity to work with faculty within their research projects or develop your own. 

A team of researchers across the United States, including Cornell College Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston, is embarking on a mission to answer questions about climate change. Associate Professor of Biology, Tammy Mildenstein, works with biologists, governments, NGOs, and local peoples to preserve endangered fruit bats on islands of the western Pacific and across Southeast Asia.