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Department of Environmental Earth Science

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Environmental Earth Science (EES) students receive a foundation in environmental geoscience that draws upon classroom, online, laboratory and field-based experiences. Students develop an understanding of the natural world, its materials, processes and geologic records of environmental change, and associated energy and sustainability issues. EES majors prepare for careers or graduate studies in geoscience and energy studies.

50 Years of EES: 1973-2023
Points of Pride and Anniversary Celebration!

Coursework and other educational experiences help students:

  • identify and analyze applied problems
  • use scientific approaches to formulate and test hypotheses
  • collect, analyze and interpret data
  • apply quantitative and computer-based techniques
  • present findings in written and oral formats
  • demonstrate the relevance of geosciences to society
Department Chair
Bryan Oakley
Science Building Rm. 265
(860) 465-0418
oakleyb@easternct.edu		 Assistant Chair
Stephen Nathan
Science Building Rm. 262
(860) 465-5579
nathans@easternct.edu
Secretary
Zosia Carlquist
Science Building Rm. 268
(860) 465-4317
carlquistz@easternct.edu

EES Concentrations

Environmental Earth Science

Environmental Earth Science (EES) students at Eastern receive a broad education in environmental earth science with a strong foundation in geoscience, using classroom, laboratory and field-based learning. The curriculum stresses the materials, processes, and features of the Earth, Earth history and the ways in which earth scientists address scientific, societal and environmental problems.

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Environmental Earth Science

Environmental Science

Environmental Science is our newest concentration, allowing students to pursue an earth science degree, with additional coursework focused on ecology and environmental health science. Upper level required electives are selected from a number of different possibilities tailored to individual student interests and career goals.

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Environmental Science

General Earth Science

Students in the General Earth Science concentration in the Environmental Earth Science major perform formal coursework, independent studies and internships that integrate field, laboratory, technical writing and computer skills to investigate environmental problems. The concentration includes a broader science background geared towards a career in K-12 science education. Many students in this track enroll in the early-start option with the Education Department, working towards a Master of Science in Education degree in their senior year.

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General Earth Science

Sustainable Energy Science

The Sustainable Energy Science concentration in the Environmental Earth Science major teaches the impact of energy consumption on humans and the natural environment and the application of renewable energy to address these problems. Students integrate field, laboratory, technical writing and computer skills in the investigation of energy resources and the application of energy science.

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Sustainable Energy Science

Faculty Spotlights

Peter Drzewiecki

Professor

“One of my ongoing research projects is to understand the climate and environments of the Jurassic rocks in the Connecticut Valley, which were deposited at the time dinosaurs roamed the planet.” Read More

Peter Drzewiecki

Bryan A. Oakley

Professor and Department Chair

“Taking students into the field and showing them how to conduct research, collect and analyze data and then present the data at a research conference is a super rewarding experience.” Read More

Bryan A. Oakley

In the News

Cunningham in Tienshan, China

The architecture of mountain ranges fascinates Eastern professor

 August 21, 2024

Dickson Cunningham, professor of environmental earth science, has spent nearly 40 years investigating changes in the Earth's crust, main in Central Asia, and how mountains form.

EES thumb

Earth science students explore geology of Spanish mountains

 July 18, 2024

Two students from the Department of Environmental Earth Science (EES) at Eastern Connecticut State University joined Professor Peter Drzewiecki on a nine-day trip in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain to examine the development of the area’s geological features in late May.

Photographing

FILM: Photogrammetry of Block Island

 June 27, 2024

This summer, a group of environmental earth science (EES) researchers from Eastern traveled to Block Island, RI, to study coastal geology and erosion along the island’s iconic bluffs. Their trip entailed using a drone and helicopter to photograph the coastline in order to create 3D models to track erosion along the shoreline. This “photogrammetry” research project was led by Professor Drew Hyatt with the assistance of EES Professor Bryan Oakley and students Kelvin Carranza-Martinez and Matthew Tardella.

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Programs of Study

  • Environmental Earth Science (EES) students at Eastern receive a broad education in environmental earth science with a strong foundation in geoscience, using classroom, laboratory and field-based learning. The curriculum stresses the materials, processes, and features of the Earth, Earth history and the ways in which earth scientists address scientific, societal and environmental problems. Students pick from four concentrations in Environmental Earth Science, Environmental Science, General Earth Science or Sustainable Energy Science. A minor is also available to students in other majors.

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  • The Environmental Health Science minor explores the interrelationship between human health and the environment. The interplay of human activities, natural earth processes and ecological processes influences human health and the quality of the environment.

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  • Students in Eastern’s interdisciplinary Data Science program receive training in statistics, computer science, business analytics, and geospatial information systems. They learn Python, R, SQL, Tableau and other software languages. Data-driven team projects provide opportunities for students to apply data science tools and techniques as well as develop collaboration and communication skills. Students also build a portfolio of their work by graduation. Students may choose between a B.A. and a B.S.; Bachelor of Science students must declare one of four concentrations in Mathematics, Business Analytics, Geographic Information Systems, or Computer Science, while the Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who wish to combine Data Science with an additional major. In addition to this interdisciplinary major, there is a Data Science concentration in the Mathematics major.

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  • Students in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) minor learn to store, analyze and display spatially oriented data to improve decision-making. Environmental scientists use GIS for applications such as environmental impact analysis, hydrological modeling and biodiversity studies.

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  • The Geomorphology minor applies principles of physics, chemistry, hydrology and sedimentology to understand earth surface landscapes. Geomorphologists use computer programs such as GIS to analyze, explain and evaluate the geologic nature of earth surface environments.

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  • The Hydrogeology minor covers aspects of geology, physics, chemistry and mathematics. Students learn about the occurrence, distribution and transport of groundwater, its natural chemical evolution and the behavior of contaminants in groundwater. Contemporary hydrogeologic problems ranging from water supply to land subsidence, groundwater protection and contamination are also covered.

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  • Continued growth of fossil fuel energy consumption is not sustainable indefinitely. A transition to an economy based on renewable energy technologies such as hydroelectric, solar and wind energy is inevitable. Students in the Sustainable Energy Studies minor look at this transition through the perspectives of the natural sciences and the social sciences.

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