Forbes has listed Environmental Science and Protection Technicians among the top 15 best jobs for young people. Most of the programs in environmental science are interdisciplinary with courses in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The primary objective of programs for environmental sciences degrees is to help students comprehend the relationship between human beings and their surrounding environments. They also study how human action may affect the environment in different ways, and how to come up with effective solutions to local, national, and global environmental problems. Students learn how to minimize harm to the environment and human health. Some of the issues that they may learn to deal with include reclamation of polluted land and waters, formulating environment-friendly manufacturing practices, and risks posed by new construction projects to the environment and human health.
Program Curriculum
There will be variations in the curriculum depending on the level and institute at which you are enrolled. However, to give you a general idea about what you will study in an environmental science program, the following is a list of some example courses:
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Humanity & the Environment
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Environmental Chemistry
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Business & the Environment
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Introduction to Physical Science
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Environmental Biology
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Principles of General Biology
Students will typically be required to take core courses along with a few elective modules. In this way, they will be able to tailor their program according to their interests and career objectives. To successfully graduate from the program, a minimum GPA will have to be maintained. To provide specialized knowledge and hands-on training, many institutes require students to complete a dissertation project or take part in an internship program. Such opportunities enable students to make use of computer modeling techniques, data analysis methods, and geographic information systems, which helps prepare them for working in professional capacities.
Online Degrees
Since a continually increasing number of people are turning to online education, many institutes offer environmental science online degrees. These distance learning programs enable students to reduce costs by cutting down on travel expenses and letting them study from any remote location. Online programs are equally good in terms of the curriculum and course content. Before students choose an online school, they should take into account factors like credentials of the faculty, rankings, accreditation, and the level of interaction allowed with instructors. Accredited institutes offer high-standard programs and are widely accepted among employers. Depending on your education, relevant experience, and professional objectives, the types of environmental sciences degrees that you may choose to earn include bachelor, master, or doctoral degrees. The program may be completed in a shorter time span by taking up accelerated coursework, or in a longer time period by enrolling as a part-time student.
Career Opportunities
College graduates with a degree in environmental sciences may seek various career opportunities. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2012, environmental scientists and engineers earned a median annual wage of $63,570. The job prospects for these professionals are quite favorable, with an above average employment growth rate of 15%. As reported by the BLS, the top industries where opportunities may be available include state, federal and local government, scientific, management, technical consulting services, and engineering services.