At Furman, we help our students succeed with supportive faculty, flexibility, and the chance to do undergraduate research. When you major in earth and environmental sciences or sustainability science, you’ll find challenges and awarding opportunities to stretch and motivate you beyond what you thought you could accomplish.
Student Resources
Student Awards
The Earth and Environmental Sciences department provides five awards each year in recognition of student achievements. The award winners are recognized at an annual function organized by the University.
This award recognizes a senior in Earth and Environmental Sciences that has completed an outstanding original research project and shows great promise for a career as an Earth or environmental scientist.
A senior student is chosen by department faculty as the outstanding EES scholar in the graduating class each year.
This award recognizes a senior in Sustainability Science who has completed an outstanding research project and shows great promise for a career in Sustainability Science.
The American Mineralogist Award is given periodically by faculty to students who exhibit a passionate interest in and talent for the study of minerals and rocks.
This award is given to a student who exhibits great professional potential and has shown leadership in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department.
Engaged Living Programs
Furman University has had a long-standing commitment to promoting engaged learning through the development of academic learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting. The Engaged Living programs are designed to bring together students with common interests, increase classroom camaraderie and engagement, and foster the establishment of an academic and a social community outside the classroom around a particular topic. The EES department helps support two Engaged Living Programs: the Environmental Community of Students (ECOS) and the Greenbelt Program.
The Environmental Community of Students (ECOS) program started in 2006 and is a one year academic, residential, environmental / sustainability focused program for first year students. Up to 15 students live together in a residence hall and take two courses as a cohort, an “Introduction to Environmental Sciences” (EES 112) in the fall term and a first year seminar “The Sustainability of Natural Resources” (FYS 1126) in the spring term.
The program is intended to foster and develop student knowledge and passion for sustainability and environmental consciousness from the local to the global scale. This intentional residential community focuses on understanding the science behind global environmental challenges while allowing students a chance to explore and experience environmental sustainability issues and efforts on campus, in the Greenville community, and within their own personal lifestyles. Participants are encouraged to embrace sustainable living practices and become involved with campus and community sustainability groups and initiatives. Find out more about the ECOS program.
The Greenbelt community is a sustainability-based living and learning community comprised of a small group of select upper-class students who opt to live in the cabins along Furman Lake. The Greenbelt is intended to foster sustainable living and lifestyle choices among its residents and to provide a residential community for sustainability-minded students to come together to live, learn, and develop sustainability leadership skills.
This living and learning community is designed to serve as an incubator for the training and development of sustainability student leaders on campus and in the surrounding Greenville community. Residents will help contribute to campus wide sustainability initiatives and facilitate and contribute to community action through service. The primary goal of this community is not only to promote sustainable living, but also to empower students to make a difference in sustainability initiatives at Furman and beyond. Find out more about the Greenbelt program.
Student Organizations
This student-led organization takes its name from William Bartram, a prominent naturalist of the 18th century. The group is made up of students who share an interest in earth and environmental sciences and sustainability science and enjoy the earth and conserving its resources. A fall camping trip, service projects, and special speakers fill the calendar. To learn more, contact Dr. Bill Ranson.
This campus-wide organization supports our own Furman organic garden, as well as regional community gardens. The group focuses on sustainable agriculture and issues related to food.
This long-standing, campus-wide society raises awareness about the environment and environmental challenges. It promotes stewardship of local and global resources, hosts speakers, and sponsors environmental activities. Leadership is largely comprised of EES students.
Graduate School Resources
Interested in attending graduate school after Furman? We've compiled a number of helpful resources to help you prepare your graduate school application.