Environmental Studies
Major
What is Environmental Studies?
Increasing pressure by the public about
air and water pollution, nuclear waste disposal, the ozone
hole and global warming, leads us to view the Earth as
composed of many interacting systems. Processes in the
biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere are
studied to learn how the systems combine and interact.
In this way we come to understand how our planet works,
its past history, and its likely future. Environmental
studies has emerged as an inter-disciplinary major that
promises to provide a new and revolutionary unification
of the science of our planet. This idea has become the
driving concept for major international scientific efforts
such as the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program,
the U. S. Global Change Research Program, and NASA's Earth
Science Enterprise. Applied studies include the study
of mineral resources including oil and water; the identification
and mitigation of Earth hazards such as earthquakes, landslides,
and volcanic eruptions; the identification and mitigation
of polluted ground water; and land use planning.
This major is also excellent preparation
for an advanced degree in environmental law or policy,
since these fields value students with the ability to
understand the science behind legal and policy decisions.
The major also works very well for students who are interested
in earning a teaching degree to, for example, teach earth
science at the middle or high school level. Finally, the
interdisciplinary nature of the major makes it excellent
preparation for employment in one of many environmentally
oriented careers.
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What are Some Specializations Within
this Broad Major?
MyMajors.com cannot pinpoint your interests
beyond recommending this general major. Various specializations
related to this major may be offered by colleges and universities.
These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest
to you. A few of the specializations related to this field
include, but are not limited to:
Environmental
Geology |
Environmental
Biology |
Environmental
Sciences |
Environmental
Health |
Environmental
Health Engineering |
Conservation |
Natural
Resources Law Enforcement |
Natural
Resources Management and Policy |
|
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What Kinds of Students Major in
Environmental Studies?
Students who have either a general or
professional interest in the environment and who wish
to be able to evaluate scientific, economic and social
aspects of environmental problems will appreciate this
major. Environmental studies majors should have, a proficiency
in math and the sciences.
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What Courses Do Environmental Studies
Majors Take?
The required and elective courses you
would take for majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
Biology
Courses |
Geology
Courses |
Environmental
Measurements |
Geography
Courses |
Mathematics |
Energy
Resources |
Atmospheric
Sciences |
Soil
Sciences |
Climate
Change |
Computer
Programming and Simulation |
|
|
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What Types of Positions do Environmental
Studies Majors Take After College?
These professions and professional organizations
illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for
if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly
related to employment than others, however. You should
consider the likelihood of employment after graduation
carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work
in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work
in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you
should determine what the prospects are for this or any
major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by
the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment
in second major or in a minor.
Environmental
Consultant |
Urban
and Regional Planner |
Land
Use Planner |
Secondary
Teaching |
Water
Management |
Conservationist/Preservationist |
Waste
Treatment Specialist |
Research
Analyst |
Environmental
Impact Assessor |
Project
Environmental |
|
|
Are you interested in detailed information
about the forecasted demand for a particular profession?
Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions
are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you
to search on a particular job, whether listed here or
not, to give you this information.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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Related Links
If you are interested in learning more
about what professionals in this field do and what kinds
of activities they engage in, you might want to begin
with the following web sites. Also check the departmental
web sites of colleges and universities, which offer this
major.
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University Departments to Consider
The following institutions are the featured
institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors
and you in your search for the best major available. They
offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
you to consider.
Other fine institutions offering this
major offer excellent programs to consider.
| Suggest to your university
advisor that your institution can show you its course
requirements and unique resources. University and
college representatives should contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year College Curriculums to
Consider
| Suggest to your two-year
college advisor that their institution's majors
be included to show you their course requirements
and unique resources. Two-year college representatives
should contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
More on Choosing Your College Major 
