Environmental Science is a multi-disciplinary endeavour incorporating natural and social sciences in the study of man's relationship with air, water, and soil and with fellow humans and other forms of life. With indiscriminate growth and development, the impact has visibly disturbed the environmental, social and economic aspects of the society. These gave rise to the need of alleviating environmental degradation and realizing the concepts of environmental conservation and sustainable development. With the purpose of learning and providing solutions, Bishop Heber College started the Post Graduate Department of Environmental Sciences in the year 1984.

Situated in an aesthetically landscaped campus with architecturally designed buildings, the Post Graduate Department of Environmental Sciences was started with a mission to ensure Environmental Sustainability. This unique pioneer programme in South India is an interdisciplinary course involving the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology, Mathematics and Computer Science. Sensing the essentials of research, it was upgraded to a research department in 1990.

To gratify the demands from industrial sectors, add on courses including PG Diploma in Industrial Safety & Occupational Health, PG Diploma in Integrated Solid Waste Management and Certificate Programme in Industrial Safety & Hygiene were introduced in parallel with the main courses. The department has started to offer graduation in Environmental Science since 2018 so as to compete in various fields for the post graduates by inclusion of current needs and specializations.