Binghamton University, State University of New York
Environmental Science BS And Environmental Studies BA (BA, BS)
Binghamton, USA
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
May 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Binghamton University’s Environmental Studies Program seeks to prepare each student for life as a citizen and as a leader, who is equipped to understand and address the complex environmental challenges facing our communities, nations, and planet. Graduates of our program (with either a BA in Environmental Studies or a BS in Environmental Science) will be able to tackle environmental and societal concerns in four critical areas.
- Critical thinking skills for understanding and confronting problems that involve the intersection between the natural and human worlds at multiple scales
- Fundamental knowledge about the three E’s of sustainability: environment, economics, and equity
- Methodological training for generating and analyzing data needed to investigate, explain, and mitigate environmental issues and problems
- Communication abilities to share information with technical and non-technical audiences
Students who pursue a BS in environmental science or a BA in environmental studies may specialize in ecosystems, earth systems, economic systems, or sustainability systems.
Internships, Research Opportunities, and More
- Internship opportunities are available at a variety of local agencies such as the Broome County Health Department, Broome County Parks and Recreation, Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments (VINES), New York Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow (NYNEST) and Binghamton University Nature Preserve.
- Students can intern in their hometown, county, state, and federal agencies such as the National Park Service or the EPA, or with nonprofit groups.
- Students also have numerous opportunities to work in the field. Students do fieldwork as part of labs, discussion sections or research projects.
Some courses to consider in your first year:
ENVI 101 - Humans & Ecological Environ
A multidisciplinary approach to the study of relationships between the environment and humans, from an ecological perspective. Ecological principles, including material cycling, ecological relationships, and succession. Scope and direction of human impact on the biosphere, exemplified by population, agricultural practices, nutrition, forestry, and wildlife. Consideration of environmental economics, policy, and ethics. Offered regularly. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate
ENVI 201 - Humans & Physical Environ
Interdisciplinary approach to the study of how humans interact with their environment, emphasizing environmental geology and environmental chemistry. Topics include 1) human use of energy: sources, environmental consequences (including air pollution), and socio-economic aspects; 2) natural hazards and their impact on human activities; 3) use of water, its contamination and waste disposal; 4) introduction to land use and environmental planning. Prerequisite: ENVI 101 or BIOL 114. Offered regularly. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate
ENVI 140 - Intro Environmental Chemistry
Understanding air and water pollution, soil contamination, climate change, and other important sustainability issues requires a basic understanding of the environmental chemistry at work. This course introduces basic chemistry principles including atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, reactions, thermodynamics, acid/base, equilibrium, and oxidation/reduction – and applies these concepts to the field of environmental studies and contemporary environmental challenges, such as contaminated drinking water, nuclear plant accidents, environmental justice, etc. Corequisite: CHEM 106. Offered fall only. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate
ENVI 149 - Environmental Ethics & Policy
Examination of the major philosophical issues surrounding the environment and nature. Topics may include the value of nature; human obligations to the land, endangered species, non-human animals, ecosystems, and future generations; vegetarianism; aesthetics and the environment; environmental racism; global warming; resource depletion; and implications of environmental issues for ethical theory. Offered regularly. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate
ENVI 206 - Geospatial Sensing - Part I
This is the first of two lecture/lab courses of a two-semester sequence of research stream Geospatial Remote Sensing for FRI students. Students will be introduced to the theory, methods, and techniques in geospatial remote sensing research while gaining an understanding of research problems in particular areas of environmental studies, geology, and anthropology. Pre-requisite: HARP 170. Offered every spring. 4 credits. Course fee applies. This course satisfies the requirement of CHEM 106 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory. Refer to the Schedule of Classes. Levels: Undergraduate
ENVI 250 - Farm-to-Table Food
Farm-to-table introduces students to the process by which food is produced, harvested, and prepared. The course includes lectures but also frequent trips to the Binghamton University Acres site with hands-on training. The activities of the course will incorporate the planning and preparation of the Garden-to-Grill event held at Binghamton University Acres. Course topics include: seed starting, direct seeding, composting, harvesting, event preparation and planning, and garden winterization. Fall only. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate
After You Graduate
Graduates can pursue a wide range of careers, including research in environmental science, positions within advocacy groups or consulting firms, environmental law, and environmental education. There are opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Some students choose to pursue graduate or professional studies.
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