Opportunities for Gaining Experience in Earth and Environmental Sciences
Experiential learning is a valuable way to apply classroom knowledge and skills. Students may choose to conduct research with an individual faculty member, explore a topic of their interest, or pursue an internship with an outside organization. All the opportunities listed on this page satisfy the closure requirement for the environmental science and environmental studies majors.
Research and Independent Study
Students can find a paid research assistantship position in a lab, or they can take advantage of one of the department’s offerings for receiving credit for research or independent study:
EESC 391(W) Independent Study
Independent study is a student-initiated individual study of an advanced topic. In this course, the student identifies a topic of interest to them, develops a proposal, and identifies a faculty member who can supervise their investigation. The student and instructor determine what course title is most appropriate; the title will appear on the transcript as the official title of the course.
Students may only enroll in one four-credit Independent Study course per semester.
In order to get credit for independent study, students must:
- Attend regular meetings throughout the semester,
- Produce a final product documenting what was learned (paper or presentation)
To receive upper-level writing (391W) credit, students must also:
- Write a final paper at least 10 pages long
- Submit at least one previous draft, with revisions
- Extensively use academic sources as reference material in their paper
EESC 395 Independent Research
Students in this course will design their own research program that supports existing efforts in their faculty advisor’s research lab.
Students interested in pursuing a senior thesis or applying to graduate school are highly recommended to enroll in EESC 395 in the fall of their senior year, at the latest.
EESC 393W Senior Thesis
Seniors who want to take EESC 393W must get permission from a faculty member as their research advisor. To create a significant body of research needed to create a senior thesis, students typically take EESC 395: Independent Research in their senior fall and EESC 393W: Senior Thesis in senior spring.
Upon completion, students receive a letter grade from their research advisor. Students also choose two readers, usually at the recommendation of their research advisor; the readers determine the level of research honors (honors, high honors, or highest honors).
Tips for Getting Started in Research
A great way to get started finding research opportunities is:
- Identify your areas of interest: What do you want to study?
- Find opportunities: Which professors are working in the areas of interest to you? (Read through biographies and websites of departmental faculty and check out the research groups.)
- Network with peers: Talk to fellow undergraduate students who are already doing research to find out about what it involves and what skills are helpful.
- Check out REU programs: The National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsors summer undergraduate research programs across the country.
- Create a solid resume: Visit the Greene Career Center for assistance.
- Contact professors: Ask if they would consider taking you on as a research assistant. Enclose your resume and keep your communication professional. (Sample email)
- Be persistent: If a professor says no, ask if they have a colleague who might be able to help you.
Internships
Students have the option to gain experience through internships with non-academic units on campus, or with governmental or non-governmental organizations that work on environmental issues. It is possible to earn credit if the internship meets the requirements described below.
EESC 394 Internship: Internship for Credit
Students can receive credit for an external internship that relates to their academic interests within environmental science or studies. If the internship is done during the summer, students can enroll in EESC 394 in a subsequent semester.
Expectations for external internships:
- Four credits: 12 hours over 15 weeks for a total of 180 hours; credit hours may be scaled for students working fewer hours
- Unpaid or basic stipend
- Provide documentation of time spent, which may be a letter from supervisor or other form
- A three to five page paper describing what was done and how ties into academic studies
NSF Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs cannot be used.
Past Internships
In the past earth and environmental science majors have interned at places like:
- City of Rochester Planning Department
- Billion Oyster Project
- Monroe County Dept of Environmental Services
- Genesee Land Trust
- UR Facilities Support Operations
- UR Facilities and Operations
- NY Office of the Attorney General
- Massachusetts Audubon Society
- Rochester People's Climate Coalition, now the Climate Solutions Accelerator
- New England Aquarium