WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE?
Environmental Science is the study of natural cycles and processes involving soil, plants, water, and air resources, including relationships between human activity and the natural environment. Ecology is its main scientific foundation, and professionals can work in a wide variety of environmental specialties, solving various environmental problems and improving and conserving natural and urban areas.
Environmental scientists must be able to interact with specialists from any number of scientific fields, understand their discipline, and work effectively with them. These professionals need well-developed critical thinking skills and the ability to identify and assess all relevant facts and values when considering environmental problems and possible solutions.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Environmental Science students can expect an interdisciplinary curriculum which integrates the natural and social sciences, business, law, technology, and other fields. A unifying concern is the impact of humans on natural systems, and Environmental Science students commonly study environmental problems such as increasing human population, the sustainability of resource use, degradation caused by pollution and disturbance, and the endangerment and extinction of species and natural systems. Typically, students may choose an environmental focus from a variety of tracks, concentrations and courses offered at their institution.
Basic courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, engineering, computer science, agriculture, law, economics, policy and ethics are often included. Other specific course we've seen include:
- Environmental Geology
- Watershed Hydrology
- Prairie Ecology
- Soil Genesis
- Aquatic Ecology
- Restoration Ecology
- Wetland Ecology
- Microbiology and Biochemistry of Soils
- Soil Morphology
- Plant Growth
- Mineralogy
- Pedology
- Transport and Fate of Contaminants in Groundwater
- Chemistry and Physics of Aerosols
- Environmental Chemistry
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Environmental Science graduates find careers in the private, public, academic and nonprofit sectors, working in specific environmental fields, depending on the academic emphasis or field of interest. As the demand for cross-disciplinary professionals is increasing, the field is expected to be in continued demand across all sectors of employment, particularly in the areas of environmental protection, conservation of natural resources, environmental education and communication, and environmental research.
Employers of environmental scientists include Federal, state and local governments; the natural resources sector; utilities; manufacturers; and industry, as well as small business. Specific job titles we've seen include:
- Wildlife Conservationist
- Water Resources Specialist
- Natural Resources Manager
- Forester
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- Fisheries Technician
- Soil Science and Agricultural Consultant
- Pollution Prevention and Control Officer
- Coastal Zone Planner
- Corporate Environmental Consultant
- Water Pollution Control Inspector
- Laboratory Technician
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialist
- Site Remediation Supervisor
- Environmental Health and Safety Officer
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Communications Specialist
- Mining and Energy Consultant
- Integrated Pest Management Advisor
- Research Coordinator
- Geographic Information Systems Analyst
- Environmental Compliance Officer
- Park Naturalist
- Environmental Risk Management Specialist
In 2002, the median annual earnings of environmental scientists were $47,600, with the middle 50 percent earning between $36,820 and $62,400. Median annual earnings of environmental scientists employed by the Federal government were $66,190 in 2002.
RELATED AREAS OF STUDY
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