Research

The Davidson Environmental Studies major is focused on providing hands-on experiences as part of courses and student research. Most courses within Environmental Studies are project driven and many involve field work.

In the past, courses have included trips to Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the local Blue Ridge Mountains. Classes have also used our proximity to Charlotte to examine local issues including environmental justice and air pollution.

Capstone

As part of our student-centered, project-based approach, all students complete a senior capstone on a topic of their choosing. For these projects, students collaborate directly with faculty mentors to complete original research. This capstone experience is central to the major: we find that it helps students develop the critical thinking skills that are most important in the modern world.

Summer Research Opportunities

Many faculty have grants that fund undergraduate research experiences within their labs. Additionally, Davidson College provides a number of opportunities for students to apply for research funding on self-designed projects. Environmental Studies students have historically been successful at securing internal summer research funding for their projects. For information on available funding sources, visit the College's Undergraduate Research information page.