Welcome to ESF!

We are so excited for you to start your academic journey with us this fall! Not only will you receive an incredible education here, but there are also a variety of resources and support staff who are available to help you along the way, including your academic advisor. Below, you can learn more about the different departments and programs at ESF and the support services that are available if you find yourself in need at any time.

While it may be tempting to declare a major and get it out of the way, it is important to know that it may be best to take some time to make this important decision. Even students who have declared a major, may actually be unsure of their choice.

For some students it is beneficial to start your time at ESF as undeclared. Take time to consider options, talk to peers and faculty, use your resources, and proceed confidently with your academic career. Using this approach, along with enrolling in ESF 296: First-Year Seminar for Undeclared Students, you will find the supports you need to make a decision regarding the best major.

Need help choosing a major?

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Start with ESF 296.

Course Description: ESF 296 is designed to assist students gain an understanding of career exploration and is intended for first-year students who have not yet declared a major. The course is designed to introduce students to the majors offered at ESF, help them develop the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to choose a major, and provide undeclared first-year students with grounding in the culture and values of the college and the University community. Students will learn about the major decisions process through learning about ESF’s academic departments through engagement with faculty, students, and staff. Career outcomes and job search literacy will be emphasized along with additional critical knowledge to support success at ESF.

Admissions staff are also hosting sessions to share more on the programs at ESF. They are:

• Thursday, July 17 | 9 p.m. ET | Register Here
• Wednesday, July 23 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Register Here

If you would like to speak to a staff member about the different programs, please contact Eric Viskupic at eviskupic@esf.edu.

ESF stands apart from the rest with a focus on experiential learning that prepares students to make an immediate impact in their communities and around the world. ESF students learn in the classroom and labs, out in the field, and by completing internships.

We're dedicated to improving the environment and creating a sustainable future for our world through a network of skilled and committed graduates. We offer a variety of academic programs for students interested in sustainability and the science, engineering, design, policy, communication, and management of natural resources and the environment.

Here is an overview of each of the departments:

Chemical Engineering

Today’s society requires us to think differently about the way we do things. That’s why in the Department of Chemical Engineering, we create solutions that leave the world in a better place than we found it. We teach students in the classroom, in the laboratory, and at industrial locations how to build and implement sustainable processes, materials, and energy for a cleaner earth. Our program is designed at the forefront of modern chemical engineering, with a focus on developing high-tech — and planet-friendly — approaches to bioprocesses, biopharmaceuticals, and sustainable materials.

Chemistry

ESF's Department of Chemistry is uniquely organized around the interdisciplinary areas of biochemistry and natural products chemistry, environmental chemistry, and polymer chemistry. All students in the Department gain strong foundations in chemistry. Through laboratory courses and research, students use their foundational knowledge to explore specialized areas of chemistry and gain familiarity with the actual practice of chemistry.

Environmental Biology

Environmental biology students are exposed to concepts of biodiversity conservation, physiology, and ecology of plants, animals, and microorganisms. We study and emphasize the interactions and changes in biological systems in the context of many different fields including aquatic and wetland sciences, biotechnology, fisheries and wildlife biology, forest health and global ecology.

Environmental Resources Engineering

Our departmental mission is to engage in teaching, research, and service to advance environmental resources engineering practices and meet the needs of the world. Our faculty strengths are in ecological engineering, geospatial engineering, water resources engineering, and the broader field of environmental resources engineering.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science at ESF is an interdisciplinary degree program that offers students a tremendous variety of courses and faculty members to choose from; excellent facilities for research and field study; and a level of faculty expertise that is rarely found at other colleges.

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies Department educates and empowers students with expertise in policy, communication, leadership, justice, and education to address environmental problems. Through the knowledge and skills students gain at ESF, they can contribute to building an ecologically sustainable and socially just world.

Landscape Architecture

From local ecosystems to territorial processes, from biogeochemical cycles to material migrations and climate crises, ESF’s Landscape Architecture students engage the world with rigor and creativity. Our students develop the knowledge and skills they need to be conscientious designers who engage communities, steward the environment, and produce beautiful, culturally responsive, and respectful designs and plans.

Sustainable Resource Management

By studying and working to preserve and utilize our resources, we can help to better the environment while providing short- and long-term benefits for people. In the department of Sustainable Resources Management (SRM), students learn to use and sustainably manage renewable, natural, and constructed resources — such as energy, forests, soils, water, and building materials — from faculty who address these issues through applied and fundamental research, technology transfer, and teaching. Our program is designed to advance our understanding of current environmental issues through cutting-edge research, education, and outreach.

No matter your major, there are a variety of academic resources on-campus to help you as you transition to ESF:

• The Academic Success Center helps students become resilient, independent learners by offering peer tutoring in over 35 courses, connecting students to various resources, and hosting workshops to develop academic success.
• The Math Center is designed to assist students with Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and other math courses taught at ESF. Students can drop-in with questions on homework or to gain clarity before a quiz or exam.
• The Writing Resource Center is a community of practice where students can come together to develop their writing skills and work on the shared craft of writing. Tutors work with students in individualized interactive sessions focused on brainstorming, organization, drafting, and/or revising among other writing related tasks.
• The Public Speaking Lab is a service that supports the development of students' public, academic, and professional speaking skills. PSL tutors work with students to develop successful presentations, and the lab offers rehearsal space groups of students can meet to plan, practice, film, and review presentations.