History and Formation of SEES

The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES) brings together two Baylor academic traditions: the study of the Earth and the study of the environment and its effects on people and communities.

Environmental Science at Baylor

Baylor’s environmental program was known as the Department of Environmental Studies by 2000. Over the following decades, it expanded its undergraduate options and courses in areas including toxicology, wildlife conservation, and environmental health. Its teaching and research connected the natural sciences with the social sciences and humanities, giving students ways to study environmental challenges from multiple perspectives. 

Geosciences at Baylor

Baylor’s Department of Geosciences grew from the former Department of Geology. In 2016, the department adopted the name Geosciences to reflect the breadth of its teaching and research, which extended across fields such as climate science, hydrology, energy geosciences, and planetary science. The department continued to connect classroom learning with laboratory research and fieldwork.

The Formation of SEES

The two departments already shared interests in areas such as water, climate, and the relationship between Earth systems and human activity. Discussions about bringing them together began in spring 2024. In fall 2025, a shared seminar series gave faculty opportunities to learn about one another’s research and explore future collaborations. Faculty feedback later that year supported creating a new school. 

SEES was formally established on June 1, 2026, within Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. It became the first school at Baylor created through the merger of two academic departments. Building on the strengths of Environmental Science and Geosciences, the School creates opportunities for students and faculty to study complex questions about the Earth, the environment, human health, and society together.