Join Florida Gulf Coast University in leading the way toward solutions
Interdisciplinary academic programs, world-class faculty and unique hands-on learning opportunities prepare our graduates for successful careers in fields critical to our water-driven world.
Through three undergraduate degrees, three minors and two graduate programs, The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University empowers students to learn, research and innovate in areas including climate change, natural resources, ecosystem health and well-being, and environmental restoration and remediation.
UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS
Environmental Geology B.S.
Through traditional geology and environmentally oriented courses, you will gain a breadth and depth of knowledge you can apply to complex geological problems. You’ll explore geologic field, laboratory and instrumentation methods to understand geology and its relationship with society — and be well positioned to excel in the workforce or graduate school. Our graduates are positioned to address pressing geological issues and make significant contributions in academic, public and private sectors.
Environmental Studies B.A.
Prepare yourself for the rapidly expanding and dynamic possibilities of careers related to the critical environmental issues facing our planet. Through integrated interdisciplinary learning experiences in the classroom, in the laboratory, in the field and off campus, you’ll master career-ready skills in scientific concepts and methods, social science analysis, and environmental policy assessment and decision-making. Specializations are available in water resources, environmental education, environmental policy and management, and ecology.
Marine Science B.S.
Dive into the study of marine, estuarine and coastal ecosystems. This interdisciplinary program combines aspects of marine ecology, marine chemistry, geology, physics and mathematics to provide a well-rounded education in the natural sciences. Through this systemic approach, you’ll learn to identify and understand the roles that the oceans play in the functioning of our planet.
UNDERGRADUATE MINORS
Climate Change
Investigate the impact of climate change on a local and global basis. including sea level rise, changing weather patterns and ocean acidification.
Environmental Education
Master the skill of communicating complex ecological concepts to diverse audiences — ideal preparation for pursuing careers related to natural resource management, conservation, education and community engagement. Learn about interpretive design, program development and assessment, and public outreach.
Geology
Gain a strong foundation of geological knowledge along with the freedom to choose upper-division geology courses that align with your major or integrate new knowledge into other studies.
GRADUATE DEGREES
Environmental Science M.S
Integrating hands-on research and the study of ecological science with environmental policy and management will prepare you for leadership as a professional or for advanced studies leading to a Ph.D. Choose from these specialties: marine ecology or chemistry; science in wetland, estuarine or freshwater systems; research in effective education in environmental fields; or environmental policy, regulatory analysis or management.
Environmental Studies M.A.
Whether you’re a recent graduate already employed as a professional or earned a degree in an unrelated field, this program will advance your career in environmental management, policy or education. It is a professional degree for which you complete a project with direct application to an environmental problem you choose.
WHY CHOOSE THE WATER SCHOOL
Located in the midst of Florida’s complex ecosystems, The Water School is uniquely positioned to immerse students in water and environmental issues:
4World-class faculty in the marine and ecological sciences, geology, biology, engineering, health and environmental economics fields.
4Internships that help you explore careers and earn credits toward your degree.
4Our Campus Ecosystem Model brings ecology into the classroom and extends the classroom into outdoor learning environments.
4Research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students with community partners close to campus.
Finally, The Water School features unparalleled learning and research facilities on and off campus:
4Academic Building 9, The Water School’s home, was completed in 2022 and is the largest academic building on campus. It holds state-of-the art research and teaching facilities and serves as a comprehensive center of STEM at FGCU.
4The Vester Field Station in nearby Bonita Springs serves as an easyaccess point to local waterways and is an important base of operations for studies of Southwest Florida’s watershed and coastal habitats.
4The Harvey Kapnick Education and Research Center on the campus of the Naples Botanical Garden houses FGCU’s Everglades Wetland Research Park, a hub for research, education and outreach on wetland and coastal ecosystem resilience and nature-based solutions to the environmental challenges of Southwest Florida.
