Our environmental and marine science major will take you around the globe, from studying aquatic life in our marine bio lab in the Florida Keys during our new Marine Biology Semester to performing controlled burns in the savannas of Kenya. On campus, you’ll be just a short walk away from Witmer Woods Arboretum and the College Cabin, which serve as prime educational research sites right on the Elkhart River.
As an environmental and marine science major, you can choose to concentrate in ecology or earth & climate science. You’ll take classes at the college’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, our 1,189-acre nature preserve and field laboratory. Merry Lea also offers residential programs like the Sustainability Leadership Semester, where you’ll investigate local wetlands and prairies and live with other students in Rieth Village’s green buildings.
In choosing Goshen College’s environmental and marine science major, or environmental studies minor, you are joining a community of scholars committed to working toward restorative solutions for our world’s sustainability challenges. We share a passion for restoring right relationships with each other and creation. We hope you join us!
For two weeks in February, five Goshen College students joined Ryan Sensenig, professor of biology, in Kenya to assist with prescribed burns inside the Kenya Long term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE).
Carol Good-Elliott, longtime environmental educator at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College, was awarded the Howard Michaud Award from the Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI) for her lasting commitment in the field of environmental education.
Nayla Jiménez-Cabezas '03 joined the Washington Farmland Trust team in July as a Program Associate to support our Fundraising and Farmer to Farmer programs.
Number of years the marine biology program has operated in the Florida Keys
One of the greenest colleges in the country – Sierra Magazine
Acres of land to explore at GC’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center
Ranking among the 40 best college farms, according to CollegeRanker.com
Number of years the marine biology program has operated in the Florida Keys
Ranking in the percentage of graduates going on to earn doctorates among all Indiana institutions
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
The environmental science major is completed via one of three different tracks, which creates a plan of study to match your interests. We also offer minors in our environmental science program in sustainability and agroecology.
Applying research skills to understanding our ecological world
Coursework and fieldwork prepares students for careers in ecology, wildlife studies (with field work programs in Kenya),botany, marine biology, forestry, or other field biology vocations. The college offers May-term classes at the J.N. Roth Marine Biology station and multiple field classes at our 1,189 acre field station, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center.
Applying research skills to understanding and tackling the global and local effects of climate change
Highlights the connections between climate change, and human and environmental health, with grounding in the physical sciences including geology, climate and soil science. You will be immersed in research and study in the field (including at the J.N. Roth Marine Biology station) and through laboratory investigations in our local community.
Explores the management and ecology of marine systems — for students interested in careers in oceanography, coastal systems or marine policy. Includes participation in the the college’s new Marine Biology Semester in the Florida Keys.
"Peacemaking begins with understanding our world and our connection to it -- promoting peace is increasingly about caring for ecological systems on which humans depend."
Ryan's storyGoshen graduates Mark Histand '08 and Alex Caskey '10 oversaw the construction a peanut butter factory in Malawi with Project Peanut Butter, which aims to treat children with malnutrition and help the local economy.
Mark's storyBekah’s major was environmental science, but she has a particular passion for food systems. Bekah helped to develop the garden outside of Goshen College’s cafeteria and led the campus composting program.
Bekah's storyReena is an environmental science major with an ecology focus who is involved in EcoPax, the Tree Care Committee and Student Senate, and is also a stage manager in the Music Center.
Reena's storySkye McKinnell is an environmental science major from Salem, Oregon, and Joshua Schwalm is a biology major from Elkhart, Indiana. Both worked with a local aquatic biologist doing electro-fishing and fish research.
Sky's storyJess, an environmental science major from Indianapolis, dreams about having her own farm some day with ducks and goats and many different crops.
Jess' storyRyan Sensenig
Professor of Biological & Environmental Science
ES Program Director
& Lindsay Teaching Fellow
Jonathon Schramm
Associate Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Education
SST Tanzania: SP
Danielle Pagoria
Administrative Assistant
