Questions about UVA Environmental Science department

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

I was just admitted to the College as a transfer, and I have a few questions about the department. I’ve read everything on the website, but I’d like to hear from some students.

  1. How popular/ big is the major? I know the major has 4 concentrations, which ones are the largest? 2. Do many undergrads do research? 3. How hard is it to double major? Keep in mind I’m a transfer. 4. What do people do after graduation? Graduate school? Get a job? What kind of job? 5. What do you plan to do after graduation, if you’re in the major? 6. How do you like the professors overall? 7. Are there many classes taught by TAs?

Thanks!

2

If you can find a copy of the “final exercises” program from Saturday May 16th, you can count up how many grads at UVa had various majors, at both the bachelors and masters levels I don’t know if it is online. I only have Sunday’s program, which doesn’t list arts and science grads.

3

I can answer a few of your questions. Our DD is majoring in Env Sci and is out of the country right now studying Coral Reef Ecology with UVA (if she were available I’d just have her respond). I believe she is planning her concentration in water. She just finished her second year and was asked towards the end of her first year to participate in research, which she did and loved. She stayed with that research project this past year, working in the lab every week. She will go out in the field again this summer to continue helping with this research project. She will also be working on an independent research project this summer (I don’t know what it is). She also starts an internship at a marine science museum in June. She has told me things about her professors that are very positive. I think the department is small enough that you get to know everyone pretty well. She is a double major (music) and has been able to manage everything very well (Dean’s list). She did bring a good chunk of AP credits with her, which has made it easier to double major. She is thinking about an internship at the EPA next summer and possibly a job with them later (her father works there, though not in a department that interests her). She is also thinking about grad school-she liked Duke when we did undergrad tours. Finally, I think TAs teach some of the labs, but I couldn’t say for sure. She absolutely loves the department and has found it to be a wonderful fit for her.