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.
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 will let Biology students study the track in Environmental Science beginning in Fall 2024, pending approval. Students will learn how to approach the world's problems from many angles and find green solutions.
Simmons Receives Award from NASA to Support Women and Minority STEM Students
This month, NASA awarded $5 million to women's colleges and universities to help increase the retention of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Associate Professor Arpita Saha, who specializes in synthetic chemistry and researches metal-based cancer drugs, was instrumental in crafting a bold, innovative vision to help Simmons obtain this award and address the gender gap in STEM.
Our Faculty
Rich Gurney
Professor and Chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department
Michael Berger
Adjunct Faculty
Arpita Saha
Associate Professor
Anna Aguilera
Associate Professor
Cherie Ramirez
Associate Teaching Professor
Joe Elias
Assistant Professor
Meghan Johnston
Associate Teaching Professor
Shreya Bhattacharyya
Associate Teaching Professor
Spotlight on Environmental Students and Alums
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 ’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...
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.
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.
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.
Kalei Porter '20 Takes her Research to the Coral Reefs of Samoa
Kalei Porter '20 is a keynote speaker at the 2020 Undergraduate Symposium!
Monica Alves '16 on Her Path to Studying Aquaculture
Monica tells us how her time at Simmons and King's College London helped her on her career path. Tell us a little bit about your background. I graduated from Simmons in 2016 with a degree in environmental science . A...