Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Earth & Environmental at Florida International University.

It is my privilege to serve as Chair of the Department of Earth & Environment (E&E). The department offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and disciplines designed to prepare students for impactful careers in environmental science, geosciences, and sustainability.

At the undergraduate level, E&E offers degrees in Environmental Studies (BS) with majors in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Sciences; Earth Science (BA); Earth Sciences Education (BA); Geosciences (BS) with majors in Atmospheric Sciences, Geological Sciences, and Geoinformatics; Sustainability and the Environment (BA); and Global Sustainable Tourism (BA), which is a joint degree with the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Our graduate programs include Environmental Studies (MS), Geosciences (MS), the Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Policy and Management (PSM-EPM), and Earth Systems Science (PhD). In addition, we offer three undergraduate certificates, Environmental Studies, Agroecology, and Biodiversity Conservation and Management, and four graduate certificates in Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Water, Environment and Development Studies. These certificates provide specialized training that further enriches our academic offerings.

The department is home to nearly 40 full-time faculty members, including three Distinguished University Professors, 12 postdoctoral researchers, over 420 undergraduate, and 130 graduate students. E&E is consistently ranked among the top departments at FIU in terms of external research funding.

Our alumni are making meaningful contributions across a wide range of sectors, including federal agencies such as USGS, NOAA, USDA (ARS, Park Services, Farm Services, NRCS), NASA, NSF, EPA, FWC, and FWS. Locally, they serve in organizations such as the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Miami-Dade DERM, botanical gardens, Ag. sector, and sustainability offices. Many students also gain valuable experience through internships with city and county governments, environmental consulting firms, and educational institutions, taking on roles such as sustainability officers, climate resilience analysts, plant scientists, meteorologist, geoscientist, conservation planners, and environmental educators.

We are proud to share that the Department of Earth & Environment’s program has been recognized in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, placing among the top public universities for environmental sciences. This recognition reflects the dedication and excellence of our students, faculty, and alumni.

Earlier this year, FIU named “Experience Impact” as the top strategic focus area in its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, with environmental resilience identified as a central focus. This vision aligns perfectly with our mission at E&E, guiding our efforts in education, research, and community engagement.

Finally, I warmly invite you to attend our annual graduate and undergraduate research symposiums, or to stop by the department if you're ever nearby. We would be delighted to welcome you and introduce you to our outstanding students and faculty.

Warm regards,
Amir A. Khoddamzadeh
Chair, Department of Earth & Environment
Florida International University