Environmental Science Overview

Answer 1

What is Environmental Science?

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Environmental Science is essentially the scientific discipline that focuses on the effects that we humans have on our global and local environment. However, it is not as simple as it may seem; with the growing awareness on topics such as climate change, pollution, and environmental impact there is a need for environmental science-educated professionals in nearly every career field. For this reason, people who choose to pursue a career in the field will have opportunities to work as lawyers, policy makers, researchers, and consultants to name a few.

Getting the Degree

Bachelor’s Degrees in environmental science usually require four years of study and are offered by most colleges and universities throughout the country. Environmental science curriculum’s find their basis in solid science and math coursework. Students can expect to take several courses each in Biology, geology, chemistry, calculus, and physics along with occasional courses in subjects such as oceanography and soil sciences.

From there on students are often encouraged to choose concentrations that will dictate their remaining coursework. Concentrations offered are often in fields such as environmental impact assessment, policy making, environmental law, climate change, hydrology, and geology. This range of options showcases the interdisciplinary nature of the environmental science; there is truly something for everyone.

What Makes Environmental Science Different?

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One of the unique features of earning a degree in environmental science is the wide scope of coursework that students complete. In one day a student may study chemicals in a lab, study the effects of fertilizers on aquatic ecosystems, and attend a lecture on the sociopolitical and environmental impacts of the petroleum industry.

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The next standout characteristic of the field is the number of post-graduation opportunities that are available. To give a few examples, holders of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science can work on various conservation projects, become oceanographers, be hired by a large corporation as consultant, or even travel to the Middle East to work for a petroleum company as a geoscientist.