Environmental Science Systems

Students have the opportunity to study exotic environments as early as their first year through introductory courses that travel to Arizona or Costa Rica. Students can conduct independent research projects on such topics as soil composition and structure, carbon cycling, the ecological effects of climate change, or forest succession. In laboratory courses and independent research, students can work in Le Moyne’s laboratory facilities, which feature modern instruments, including advanced optical and scanning electron microscopes, an X-ray diffractometer and a carbon/nitrogen analyzer for soils and rocks. Faculty members in natural systems, biology, and chemistry serve as mentors for majors conducting their research projects. In addition, students are encouraged to seek internships with local environmental and biotech companies.

Many ESS majors are active in Le Moyne's chapter of FORCES (Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship), a program of the NYS Parks Department that supports conservation and educational outreach activities through internships.

• Environmental testing and remediation
• Environmental engineering
• Environmental compliance (in private industry)
• Federal, state and local environmental agencies
• Urban and regional planning 
• Insurance and financial sectors
• Science journalism 
• Environmental law
• Follow this link for more career information

Majors
B.S. in Environmental Science Systems
B.S. in Environmental Science Systems with a Concentration
in Pre-Engineering
B.A. in Environmental Science Systems
Dual Major Communications/Environmental Science Systems

Minor
Minor in Environmental Science Systems

Learn more in our Academic Catalog

Understanding the function of ecosystems around the world, particularly those that exist within a sensitive climatic balance, is important for all students. This introductory course offers students the opportunity to study the fundamentals of evolution, ecology and earth science culminating in a two-week field experience in Costa Rica. Students will explore floral and faunal diversity, high-altitude (cloud) and low-altitude (rain) forests, highland and lowland soils, the types and effects of volcanic activity in an active volcanic arc, and the operation of coastal processes on a geologically young coastline.
Avalanche at Arenal Volcano Spider Monkey near EARTH University

This intro-level field course offers students the opportunity to study the fundamentals of ecosystem and earth science, with specific reference to North America. This study involves comparison of the Adirondacks and low and high-altitude deserts of Arizona. Field-based learning activities examine the geological and ecological processes that determine the structure and function of these two systems.

Understanding Earth’s ecological environment requires study of the delicate balance between geological, biological, climatologic and anthropogenic processes. This advanced course offers students the opportunity to study these fundamental processes in Iceland, a country where the fragile nature of this environment, and the processes that shape it, are readily observed. The semester classroom work, during which students design their own research projects, is followed by two weeks of scientific field work in Iceland.
Ecological research at the Skaftafell National Park 

This advanced course offers students the opportunity to study the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands, where the delicate balance between geological, biological, climatologic and anthropogenic processes in controlling the process of evolution is on display. The Galapagos are a unique locale where the fragile nature of the environment, the processes that shape it, and the unique nature of its inhabitants are readily observed. Additionally, the historic significance of this locale in the development of one of the most fundamental of all scientific theories will be explored fully.