Any Earth Systems or Environmental Science Majors Here?

<p>I am considering both of these majors but have alot of questions about them. If you don’t mind i would like to know:</p>

<li>How did u diside on your major.</li>
<li>What do/did u like about the major?</li>
<li>What do/did u dislike about the major?</li>
<li>What job do u have or hope to have?</li>
<li>What do/will u do in this job?</li>
<li>Which college or university do or will u recieve your degree from?</li>
<li>What level degree?</li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry for the number of questions, any imput will be helpful- Tanks a million.</p>

<p>I am a geologist...worked for 23 years... don't know about Earth Systems, Environmental science I am aware of...what are your specific or general interests.</p>

<p>I'm a geologist as well....</p>

<p>I know that UNC just started an Earth Systems degree which is aimed at preparing students for law school or education (secondary teaching)...</p>

<p><a href="http://www.geosci.unc.edu/undergrad/earth_systems.shtml%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.geosci.unc.edu/undergrad/earth_systems.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You can see the degree requirements there and is pretty much what you would be looking for a Earth Systems degree...</p>

<p>Environmental Science is more geared towards working in the environmental consulting industry as opposed to professional school, but many do decide to go on to law school and such. What you need to be sure is that the degree states Environmental Science as opposed to Environmental Studies since the studies degree is more broad with liberal arts and isn't helpful for a jump-start into the consulting industry...</p>

<p>I'm a recent University of Pittsburgh graduate ('04) and now geology graduate student at UNC - CH and have great ideas of what students can do with a geology degree. I had an excellent experience as an undergraduate and only have a few problems (lack of research in my specialty at my undergrad university)...</p>

<p>After graduation with my MS (hopefully August 2006) I hope to go on for my PhD. If my ultimate goal of professor doesn't work out, I plan to either work in seismic hazards or the oil industry.</p>

<p>Well, sorry if this is a bit jargled....but I'm pretty tired right now...hope it helps though!</p>

<p>Interesting thread;I was just going to start one. I'm a freshman at Duke, and I'm going to major in Biology and pick up a second major or minor in Earth & Ocean Science. I'd like to go into oceanography, but I'm not sure which field yet.</p>

<p>warblersrule86:</p>

<p>It would be a good idea to concentrate on marine biology if you want to go that path and a double major wouldn't be too difficult. Here at UNC many students double major in biology and marine sciences or geology and marine sciences. Also, keep in mind you can take classes here at UNC (and NCState) for free and there is an excellent marine science department here. You may also be able to get involved in research programs at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City. I would also suggest taking some of the major classes for geology, such as a geochemistry class, historical geology, and sed/strat.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>

<p>Hi... I'm in Geology, but I'm switching out.</p>

<ol>
<li>How did u diside on your major.
I was interested in earth science as a child.</li>
<li>What do/did u like about the major?
It's interesting, very.</li>
<li>What do/did u dislike about the major?
Almost strictly memorization. Not a lot of problem solving or logic.</li>
<li>What job do u have or hope to have?
I planned on work in the oil fields. Huge money in that in Alberta.</li>
<li>What do/will u do in this job?
Help companies find oil. Work in teams with engineers and geophysicists.</li>
<li>Which college or university do or will u recieve your degree from?
University of Alberta</li>
<li>What level degree?
I was planning on getting my PhD</li>
</ol>

<p>I'm switching out because I've decided that although I'm interested in Earth science, I wouldn't like it as a career.</p>

<p>
[quote]
2. What do/did u dislike about the major?
Almost strictly memorization. Not a lot of problem solving or logic.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Wow...I thought that Alberta was a good school for geology. However, I believe I got better than that at the University of Pittsburgh. There was a lot of practical problem solving in my classes and learning by actually doing stuff (that's what the labs were for). In the real world, geology is solely problem solving using logic (rather than the engineers who pretty much solely rest on equations to tell them the 'whole' story).</p>

<p>Well, I was only first year :P So I guess I'm not a good judge of the program here.</p>

<p>Alberta is definitely one of the top schools for Geology. We have people from all over the world at our school. If you say that it's a lot of logic, then you're probably right. But the EAS courses that I've taken so far are all memorization (except for the labs). I guess I just decided that it wasn't for me.</p>

<p>I really want to be doing things in the field. Perhaps i have my mind on the wrong major. I really liked earth systems because it deals with more than one science. I love every science class I have ever taken. Anyone in here do alot in the field? if so, what do you do and what did you major in?</p>

<p>2qwertyuiop:</p>

<p>I majored in geology and get out into the field a lot!</p>

<p>As an undergraduate for many of my classes we had field trips (not enough imo...but we did have them) and I participated in a 6 week field camp in Ireland. I also had the opportunity to go to Puerto Rico for some field work during my senior year spring break as well.</p>

<p>As a graduate student, I've had more opportunites for field work...my project itself doesn't have much field work incorporated with it, but I do get out into the field helping out others. Last year I spent a month mapping in the Mojave and a week mapping in SE Utah. This year, I'm spending spring break in Cali mapping in the White Mountains (I believe that's the place...I'll know more next week when my class starts...) and will hopefully be able to jump on a few more opportunities as they arise. </p>

<p>As for integrating the sciences, geology is great for that! All geology students are required to have a baseline education in not only geology, but chemistry, physics, math, and sometimes biology (for paleo/biogeochem related interests). It also was one of the reasons I chose geology, that and the excellent opportunites for travel (I also love to figure out how the earth came to be how it is today...).</p>

<p>Have you come across a T-Rex yet?</p>