<p>What can I do with a major in environmental science?
All I'm really aware of is becoming a teacher, and I'm not exactly excited about that...</p>
<p>What are the commonly taken courses, and how is the difficulty level (not that I'm concerned - if I want to do it, I will, I'm just curious as to how others have handled the courses)?</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>So I’m a rising junior at the University of Rochester. At the U of R you have to pick a concentration for environmental science such as: biology, chemistry, or geology. I declared my Environmental Science major and here are my courses specifically for the major. I decided on environmental biochem:</p>
<p>Freshman: chemistry 1, chemistry 2, calculus 1, calculus 2, geology</p>
<p>Sophomore: Organic chem 1, orgo 2, linear algebra and differential equations, thermo-geochemistry of the atmosphere, biology 1, biology 2, engineering mechanics (physics)</p>
<p>Junior: engineering electricity and magnetism, hydrology, transport phenomena in biological systems, environmental geochemistry, environmental animal physiology</p>
<p>Senior: Biological chemistry, human anatomy, MATLAB computer programming, independent research, senior thesis</p>
<p>So it’s a lot of work. At U of R, an environmental science major is pre-med and then some. I’m told that with my major, I can do pretty much anything. As an undergrad I currently work in a neuro-science lab in a hospital during the school year. When i graduate I can do some chemical engineering work since a lot of my classes are chem-e. This means I can work in labs doing research, work in the field collecting research samples, do some biomedical engineering and do work with cells. Pretty much any science. I mean my focus is on biochem so I can do anything that a biologist or chemist can do. I just have a more rounded view on things</p>
<p>BUT! This is at the U of R. Other school may have environmental science focus more on conservation and human impacts. The U of R has you learn more about how everything works on earth. So I would look at your school’s programs before deciding on environmental science. If it’s not as “science-y” as this one, you might have trouble finding jobs other than teaching and consulting. If the major is more on sustainability and you’re looking for more science, I would highly recommend chemical engineering.</p>
<p>Hope this helped!!</p>
<p>This link to a previous thread may give you more insight:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/science-majors/942610-environmental-science-major-questions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/science-majors/942610-environmental-science-major-questions.html</a></p>
<p>You can do a number of things with a ES degree besides teaching.</p>
<p>Clarkk, if you want a job in the environmental science field, you will need a Master’s. I was told this by the head of the department when I was considering it. He also told me that Geology is a much more viable market, especially with the boom in the commodities market.</p>
<p>ssynny: Wow! That helped me out a lot. It’s always best to get information from someone who has been in a similar program. I plan on going up to Erie, PA, for college, so there are a lot of opportunities with the lake being there, plus the zoo. The program I plan on going into is more “science-y” than, say, an environmental studies program, for my program includes a lot more of physics, calculus, and biology than a policy program or something similar.</p>
<p>LAGator: This also helped IMMENSELY. You are an environmental scientist, I take it from reading the thread that you linked me to?</p>
<p>Scientificmind: I do plan on getting a Master’s degree. I actually would like to go into the Peace Corps after I graduate from college and working in national parks around the world, then returning to the U.S. The PC will assist in paying for furthered education. My school does not offer a geology program, however they offer classes in the geology subject. </p>
<p>What other information is there that I should probably know before going into a program like this?</p>
<p>Sorry for the extra post, but I just realized my university offers a five-year Bachelor’s+Master’s degree plan in Environmental Science. Would that be a good opportunity to take advantage of, or would I be better off working on a second degree after getting more experience?</p>
<p>I’d probably take advantage of the opportunity. You never know what may come up later in life, that might prevent you from getting the Master’s. So it’s better to do it while you still have the time to do it.</p>
<p>I’m glad I could help! And if you’re certain you wanna go into environmental science then I would say jump on the master’s! It’s good to get all your school done with as closely as possible. It’s tough to go back to school once you’ve already entered the real world and have many obligations.</p>
<p>Yes, I am professionally employed as an Environmental Scientist.</p>
<p>A Masters Degree is helpful, primarily as an opportunity to specialize in a particular sub-discipline, but it is not mandatory for employment.</p>
<p>You may also want to take a look at Environmental Engineering.</p>
<p>LAGator, what are some of the tasks you perform in your specific line of work?</p>
<p>I work for the Govt., so what I do is generally different from private sector employees. Main duties include writing plans and managing projects for environmental restoration, and outreach work. I sometimes work on other tasks, depending on the situation, but these are my main responsibilities.</p>
<p>At Tufts, Environmental Studies and Environmental Science are two quite popular majors, so students have gone a bunch of different directions with them. Some go and work for the government, others go to law school and become environmental lawyers, others go work for sustainability-focused consulting firms, and others wind up at a variety of non-profits (related to sustainable food, conservation, wildlife protection, etc.)</p>
<p>You’ll have a lot of options with ES!</p>