Class on the Cumberland River

How the College of Sciences & Mathematics is charting new territory in environmental science education 

The College of Sciences & Mathematics is making waves by securing access to local waterways, creating new fieldwork and research opportunities for Belmont students, faculty and community partners. 

Dr. Matthew Heard, associate professor of biology, dreamt of direct access to the Cumberland and Harpeth Rivers in Nashville for years. This past summer, Heard and CSM joined Nautical Boat Club to allow the Belmont science community to regularly take research vessels out onto the local waterways. 

Heard, along with his environmental science and biology colleagues, foresee themselves leveraging their new river access in three immediate capacities:  

• Taking students to research how microplastic pollution is present in the Cumberland River and observing how it varies over time. 

• Studying how living organisms and bacteria in the Cumberland are affected by antibodies from human waste that are flushed into the river.  

• Hosting outreach events for current CSM students, prospective students, local high school students and community partners. 

“My background is in teaching marine biology courses, so many of the places I conduct research require boat access to study things like water quality,” said Heard. “Most of our drinking water comes from the Cumberland, so as we research and study our city’s water supply, that access becomes helpful from an environmental science standpoint.” 

Beyond the three initial projects, Heard also envisions taking students on the Harpeth and Cumberland for educational eco tours during lab classes to help them better connect with the city in which they live. 

“We want our students to see environmental issues in Nashville in a real way, and if we show them things they have never explored before, they get a better appreciation for it,” continued Heard.

Environmental science at Belmont showcases the hands-on learning approach prioritized by CSM for all its undergraduate programs and how the college provides students with practical research opportunities and real-world experiences. The recent addition of boat access to local waterways demonstrates CSM's ongoing commitment to equipping students with the tools and experiences necessary to become the next generation of scientists and environmental stewards. 

“It can be hard for students to know what job opportunities exist and what it looks like to be an actual scientist, not just a doctor or a nurse. For example, what does it look like to be an environmental scientist?” asked Heard. “When you get to do things like this, you see how fun and engaging it can be. Your life is quite varied. You get to go to cool locations and see beautiful things.”