Environmental, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

The Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) covers the interdisciplinary study of the earth and its atmosphere. Our students and faculty are passionate about understanding earth systems and applying that knowledge to solve environmental and sustainability challenges.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to excel in education and research in Earth system sciences and human-environmental interactions. We aim to provide students with the scientific basis to work in geology, meteorology, atmospheric sciences and environmental science, and promote sustainability at all levels in society.

Researcher Spotlight

Ericka Boudreau, an undergraduate student collecting samples of sandstone with Asst. Prof. Richard Gaschnig in southwestern Oregon.

Meet rising researcher Ericka Boudreau, an undergraduate student who found herself in southwestern Oregon collecting samples of sandstone with Asst. Prof. Richard Gaschnig.

They are conducting research on the origins and potential movement of rocks along the west coast in North America.

Professor Frank Colby of the EEAS department pointing to large, interactive weather monitor

New Ph.D. in Earth System Science

The UMass Lowell Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences now offers a doctorate in Earth System Science. The program is open for students with backgrounds in Geoscience, Environmental Science and Sustainability, Atmospheric and Climate science, Meteorology, Hydrology/Hydrogeology, Earth System Science, Environmental Engineering and related fields.

View open research and teaching assistantship opportunities

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Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
Research
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Student Endeavors
Graduate Student Research & Teaching Assistantships

Eric Roy '22 Meteorology and Mathematics

Eric Roy started doing meteorological research on campus the summer after his freshman year – and then won two research internships with government agencies.

News

1/12/2022 Featured Story

EEAS Professor: ‘Atmospheric Rivers’ More Than a Current Event

EEAS Professor: ‘Atmospheric Rivers’ More Than a Current Event

Asst. Prof. Christopher Skinner, who researches atmospheric rivers, explains why the weather phenomenon has been making headlines recently — and why it’s important to understand them.

1/12/2022 Featured Story
12/15/2021 Featured Story

UML Earns ‘Leading by Example’ Award for Decarbonization Efforts

UML Earns ‘Leading by Example’ Award for Decarbonization Efforts

UMass Lowell received a Leading by Example award from the state’s Department of Energy Resources for its collaborative efforts with fellow honorees UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth and Salem State University to decarbonize their campuses.

12/15/2021 Featured Story
11/24/2021 Featured Story

Good COP, Bad COP: UML Delegates Reflect on U.N. Climate Summit

Good COP, Bad COP: UML Delegates Reflect on U.N. Climate Summit

An interdisciplinary group of faculty members from UMass Lowell’s Climate Change Initiative attended the recent United Nations global climate summit, aka COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, where they observed progress being made — but also missed opportunities.

11/24/2021 Featured Story
9/22/2021 Featured Story

With NSF Award, New Grad Program Focuses on Protecting Water Resources

With NSF Award, New Grad Program Focuses on Protecting Water Resources

An interdisciplinary team of UML faculty, led by Assoc. Profs. Meg Sobkowicz-Kline and Chris Hansen, have received a nearly $3 million National Science Foundation Research Traineeship award for a new graduate student program focused on developing sustainable materials and chemicals that won’t harm water resources.

9/22/2021 Featured Story

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