At the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, you’ll deepen your understanding of the living world and your place within it.
The work that happens here is rooted in our land- and sea-grant mission, and connected to the needs of the local, regional, and global communities. Our faculty researchers work collaboratively across disciplines, drawing from a broad, inclusive field of human knowledge to make critical discoveries within their fields. URI’s core research facilities and specialized labs offer the latest technologies that will enable you to gather field data, synthesize vast amounts of information, and develop solutions to real world challenges. Whether you are interested in urban food systems; protecting marine wildlife; understanding what makes an organism adapt and an ecosystem thrive; or assisting policy makers in the shift towards renewable energy and sustainable natural resource management, you’ll find your place here.
URI Cooperative Extension
Education and engagement with Rhode Island communities is at the core of what we do. As a land-grant and sea-grant university, our mission is to ensure URI provides education and applied research that helps communities and improves the lives of Rhode Islanders.
learn moreNews and Stories
From Rhode Island’s Coast to the Great Lakes July 9, 2026 - After graduating from URI in May 2026, marine biology and aquaculture and fisheries science alumnus Nick O'Connor is beginning his research career at Michigan State University, building on hands-on experiences that took him from horseshoe crab-filled beaches to offshore fish habitats.
Learning the Systems That Support Animal Health July 1, 2026 - URI student Paige Reynolds is combining her passion for animal science with hands-on experiences across Rhode Island's agricultural community as a Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Food Systems Fellow this summer.
New Department in URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences Unites Science, Planning, and Design July 1, 2026 - The Department of Earth Sciences, Planning, and Design at the University of Rhode Island brings together scientists, planners, and designers to address environmental challenges and prepare students for an increasingly interconnected world.
When Federal Funding Disappeared, A New Partnership Sustained the Future of Coastal Flood Research June 30, 2026 - After federal funding was cut, a couple inspired by Professor Austin Becker's story stepped forward to support two doctoral students developing coastal flood prediction tools for communities facing extreme weather.
