Welcome to a vibrant academic community dedicated to understanding, managing and protecting our environment in a changing world. As part of the College of Agriculture, the department brings together passionate undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff who are committed to environmental science, natural resource management, and geospatial technologies.
Includes undergraduate studies (BS in Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences concentration), master’s and doctoral programs, and graduate certificates in Applied GIS—all with strong research and training in forestry, resource management, geospatial science, soil science, and more. Students benefit from robust mentorship, advanced facilities, and active participation in research networks supported by the Institute for Food, Agriculture and Environmental Research. The department’s faculty specialize in climate change, urban forestry, environmental soil chemistry, water quality, and wildlife ecology, helping students build connections at local, national, and global levels.
Prepare students for diverse careers—whether in private industry, government, academia, or nonprofit sectors—by addressing global challenges like land degradation, habitat loss, water scarcity, pollution, and climate change. Students gain classroom knowledge, practical research skills, and leadership experience through experiential learning, hands-on laboratory work, research assistantships, clubs, and networking opportunities. These experiences equip graduates to succeed in biological research, GIS analysis, environmental consulting, and teaching.
The Department of Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University advances scientific knowledge and prepares future leaders to foster healthy environments, resilient communities, and responsible natural resource stewardship through excellence in research, education, and community engagement.
The mission of the Department of Environmental Sciences is to advance environmental knowledge through innovative, interdisciplinary research and prepare students for careers in natural resource management, ecology, hydrology, GIS, and related fields. The department also supports communities with science-based solutions that promote responsible stewardship and environmental sustainability.
Faculty in Environmental Sciences invite students into ongoing projects that address water quality, soil science, forestry, urban forestry, agroforestry, climate and land-use change, ecosystem health, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Students do not just observe; they collect samples, run experiments, analyze data, and share results in ways that matter to decision-makers and local communities.
Every faculty member is actively involved in research and brings that experience directly into the classroom and mentoring relationships. Students get to know their professors as scientists, advisors, and collaborators who are deeply invested in their growth and future paths.
Students learn in modern laboratories equipped with cutting-edge instruments and at field sites designed for environmental work, including testing water and soil, mapping landscapes with GIS and remote sensing, and studying plants, wildlife, and ecosystems. These spaces become places where students try new ideas, make mistakes safely, and discover how environmental science works in real-world applications.
Every course emphasizes hands-on experiences, from local field trips and lab-based experiments to semester-long research and community projects. By graduation, students have a portfolio of real-world skills in experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication that prepares them to step confidently into environmental careers or advanced study.
The College of Agriculture offers several financial support opportunities designed to help students fund their education. Students may apply for the Dean’s Scholars Program or the Leadership Development Program to receive additional assistance and enrichment.
By Charles Morrison NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – For more than a century, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) and the Tennessee State University College of Agriculture…
By Zekeya A. Harrison NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The legacy of Tennessee State University alumnus Charles Howard Kimbrough Sr. will endure through future generations of students, thanks to…
By Zekeya A. Harrison NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University alumna and former faculty member Dr. Gearldean Johnson has established a $100,000 endowed scholarship to support undergraduate…
By Zekeya A. Harrison NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has secured $1.92 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University hosted its 24th annual Small Farm Expo Thursday, bringing together farmers, agricultural professionals, students, and community members for a full day…