Undergraduate Program

Our undergraduate program emphasizes a breadth of training. You will take courses that integrate understanding across many disciplines. At the same time, students need to develop a depth of expertise in a specific area. So, our majors are secondary majors, and our minor is designed to complement any major.

We also stress the importance of hands-on research and internship experiences. You will have opportunities to work with our partners to help solve real-life problems relevant to the Chesapeake Bay and beyond.

Many of our students are co-authors on professional publications and presentations. As a consequence, some of our alumni go on to careers with government agencies, environmental consultancies, and action groups. Others secure places in some of the best graduate schools in the U.S.

Field courses are an important part of our major. While many field courses take place on campus, some involve traveling in the U.S. and around the world. Read about a Biology/ENSP trip studying endangered species in Florida in the StoryMap below.

Alumni Advice

“If you're going the science route and opportunities for field work come up, TAKE THEM. If you don't think you have time for it, make time for it. That experience is valuable, and you won't always have the chance later.”
“Think creatively about what you want to do. Talk with policy students about where they’re looking for careers, if you’re a science major, and vice versa. Grad school is not the only option!"
“Gain hard science skills and practice communicating with non-scientific audience as much as possible”
“Don’t be afraid to take seasonal jobs and build field experience after graduation; there will be plenty of time later in your career to sit behind desks."
“Ask more questions! Don't be afraid. Utilize the small classes and faculty mentorship to your full advantage”
“For double-majors also majoring in another science - don't underestimate the value of learning about policy or sustainability-related topics to your future endeavors”
“Think about how you can combine your ENSP degree with another field into a career (e.g., engineering, law, materials science, public health)”
“Do undergraduate research as many summers as you can afford! Go to the Charles Center and make friends with the staff, get your summer research funded!”
“Get involved in environmental work outside the classroom - whether through research, activism, or campus policy you'll learn so much that can translate to any future career”
“A hard skill that others didn't have (GIS) helped me get almost every job I've had.”