Environmental Science

What Is Environmental Science?

Environmental Science is the study of how natural and unnatural phenomena affect the environment and planet Earth. It incorporates lessons and principles from biology, physical science, and information science to study these effects. In addition, a portion of environmental science is dedicated to forming and testing hypotheses related to solving environmental problems. Subjects studied under the umbrella of environmental science include: global climate change, alternative energy systems, forestry, and natural resource management. The best colleges for environmental science feature strong biology, forestry, and physical science departments.

The Environmental Science Degree

Many universities offer programs in environmental science and the subject is considered a generalist degree. Environmental science studies both natural and man-made environments as well as their interactions with different phenomena. The environmental science major encompasses traditional sciences like biology, ecology, and geology in addition to social sciences such as economics and sociology. An environmental science degree is available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels.

Environmental Science vs. Environmental Engineering

The fields of environmental science and environmental engineering are both concerned with studying man’s effects on the earth and environmental problems. The main difference between the two fields of study is where they operate in the process of creating a solution to these environmental issues. 

The environmental scientist performs research and experiments to generate a hypothesis about the effects of human phenomena on the environment. Once that data is collected and the hypothesis is made, an environmental engineer utilizes his or her knowledge to devise a solution to resolve the environmental problem. Both environmental science and environmental engineering work together in the process of discovering an issue and planning to fix it.

Would I Make a Good Environmental Scientist?

Because a large portion of an environmental scientist’s workload is studying effects on the planet, your first qualification should be a concern for the environment and a desire to create a livable future. It’s helpful to have knowledge of issues like climate change and sustainability as well as a passion for finding solutions to these problems to ensure a stable environment for the next several generations. The problems facing our environment can be challenging and environmental scientists need to be up to that challenge.

Environmental scientists spend a large portion of their days in the laboratory. In order to join this profession, you’ll need to be comfortable in a lab environment. This means that you’ll have to be familiar with lab equipment and safety procedures as well as the scientific method. In addition, environmental scientists spend a lot of time in the field so you’ll also need to be able to work while spending large portions of time outdoors. If you enjoy camping or exploring, that will come in handy on days when you’re in the field.

Associate Level

For students at the community college level, an associate degree in environmental science provides a foundational education in the field. Courses at the associate degree level cover topics like environmental issues, environmental protection regulations, and natural resources. In addition, students learn about how the scientific method is applied to the field. Through classroom lectures and lab exercises, students learn about problems currently facing the environment and hypothesize about possible solutions to them. 

Many students who earn an associate degree transfer to a college or university to complete a 4-year degree but some graduates enter the workforce in an entry-level position. Examples of classes at the associate degree level include: environmental ethics, environmental compliance, resource management, and environmental history.

Examples of Environmental Science Careers at the Associate Degree Level Include: Environmental Consultant, Environmental Lab Technician, and Environmental Advocate.

The average salary for these positions ranges from $41,000 (Environmental Lab Technician) to $48,000 (Environmental Consultant).

Baccalaureate Level

With environmental issues becoming a more pressing concern with each passing year, most colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. These programs feature a curriculum focusing on physical and environmental sciences. To provide a well-rounded education, these programs also include a number of liberal arts classes. 

The environmental science bachelor’s degree focuses on comprehensive issues like water shortages and provides lessons in deeper topics related to the field such as the role of overpopulation in environmental problems and management of national parks. Classes combine lectures with lab work, often performed outdoors in the field. A typical bachelor’s degree in environmental science takes four years to complete. 

Examples of classes at the baccalaureate level include: air pollution & control, soil biogeochemistry, waste management, environmental health policy, and wetland ecosystems.

Examples of Jobs for Environmental Science Majors at the Bachelor’s Degree Level Include: Landscape Ecologist, Geologist, Biologist, Restoration Ecologist, Conservation Assistant, Environmental Field Restoration Supervisor, Sustainability Consultant, Recycling Officer, and Marine Biologist.

The average salary for these positions ranges from $47,000 (Landscape Ecologist, Recycling Officer) to $67,000 (Geologist, Sustainability Consultant).

Graduate Level

For students who want to continue their education beyond the bachelor’s level, many graduate schools offer master’s degrees in environmental science. Although master’s programs in the field feature in-depth classes in the subject, they are equally focused on independent research. All master’s degree students choose a topic in which to specialize such as ecology, hydrology, and toxicology. Outside of the classroom, students conduct research and perform lab experiments on this topic, eventually culminating in a master’s thesis at the end of the program. If a student’s thesis passes review, it can then be published by the college or university press. A typical master’s degree program in environmental science can be completed in two to three years. Examples of classes at the master’s degree level include: paleoclimatology, geohydrology, geochemistry, and ecology.

Students who wish to teach environmental science at the university level or attain a high ranking research position can continue their graduate studies and earn a PhD in environmental science. All coursework at the PhD level is designed around a student’s chosen field of interest such as global warming, air pollution, natural resource management, or wildlife concentration. In order to earn a PhD, students must pass a comprehensive exam, compose a research dissertation, present it before faculty, and pass an oral examination.

Examples of Environmental Science Jobs You Can Get With a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science Include: Hydrologist, Ecologist, Environmental Scientist, Zoologist, Environmental Lawyer, and Environmental Engineer.

The average salary for these positions ranges from $54,000 (Environmental Scientist) to $79,000 (Hydrologist) to $113,000 (Environmental Lawyer).

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Colleges

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Harrisburg Area Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in the state of Pennsylvania. The college’s Harrisburg campus features the newly-renovated Cooper Student Center, which offers modern facilities to improve students’...

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” – Shevonne from York, PA
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Western Piedmont Community College is a 2-year institution in western North Carolina. WPCC offers degrees and certificates in 42 fields of study and every student is equipped with Microsoft Access software for use on up to five devices. Home of the...

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As the first institution of higher education established on Navajo Nation, Navajo Technical University is a tribal college in northwest New Mexico. In order to provide students an educational foundation in tribal traditions and history, NTU’s School...

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By far the best first college am attending and my instructors are awesome. Never thought this college was like this but am looking forward to finishing my major here. I wouldn't prefer any other college to attend other then here.

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The University of Montana Western is a public, 4-year institution established in the city of Dillon, and it is a member of the Montana University System. The college offers programs of study in 9 subjects, including Equine Studies, Education...

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Penn State Berks is a commonwealth campus of the state land-grant university Pennsylvania State University. The 258-acre campus is home to the Perkins Student Center, the Janssen Conference Center, the Herb Society’s garden and numerous residence...

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Northwest Indian College is a tribal institution on the Lummi Indian Reservation and the only accredited tribal college serving Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. As an institution dedicated to the study of Native cultures, NIC offers four bachelor’s...

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NWIC i8s rich in culture. Love the faculty and student life. Everyone has their own identity and story

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Vermilion Community College is a public, 2-year institution established on an 80-acre campus nearby the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely, Minnesota. Vermilion offers over 25 associate’s degree and certificate programs, including unique...

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Blue Ridge Community College is a 2-year community college situated in the mountains of western North Carolina. Part of the North Carolina Community College System, BRCC is home to 30 academic areas of study conferring degrees and certificates in...

Diablo Valley College

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Diablo Valley College has a variety of great professors that know what they are teaching. If you are focusing on a certain subject, DVC has the professors that you are looking for.

” – Shawn Steven from Antioch, CA
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Established in 1969, United Tribes Technical College is a 2-year, tribal institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. UTTC offers diplomas, certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in 16 fields of study, with fully-online programs...

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I had an amazing opportunity to learn at UTTC. My instructors were well versed in the topics they were teaching, and were able to give me real world examples along with theory from my texts to support the lesson!

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I am a Theology major in the Director of Christian Education (DCE) program here at Concordia and very much like the majority of the class I have taken thus far. I especially like the classes geared towards my two main areas of emphasis and the...

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I have had a 4.0 in all of my classes and I could not have done it without the knowledge and understanding of the incredible instructors in this institution.

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Established in 1953, Cayuga Community College is a public, 2-year institution with campuses located in Auburn and Fulton, and it is a member of the SUNY college system. CCC offers 10 certificate programs and nearly 30 associate’s degree programs, as...

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The Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San German campus is very beautiful and very fun place to be. There you make a lot of friends and you feel accepted. The best this about this university is that when you graduate from there, you will...

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Situated on the Crow Indian Reservation, Little Big Horn College is a tribal college in south central Montana. Committed to the preservation of Crow culture and language, Little Big Horn offers eight associate degree programs including Crow Studies...

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With a campus situated in the Potomac Highlands, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is a 2-year institution serving a six-county area. Eastern WV confers degrees and certificates in 11 fields of study. Additionally, Eastern WV...

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Located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Aaniiih Nakoda College is a Native American tribal college in northern Montana. Although affiliated with the Reservation, Aaniiih Nakoda accepts both tribal and non-tribal students. With a mission of...

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Originally begun as a teacher training institution, the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico (Inter American University of Puerto Rico) in Ponce is a Christian university in southern Puerto Rico. Inter Ponce hosts five academic divisions...

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Is the best university. The professor's have a lot of knowledge. The facilities are comfortable.

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Established in 1984, Stone Child College is a public, tribal institution located in Box Elder, Montana. SCC offers nearly 20 associate’s degree programs, a bachelor’s degree program in Elementary Education, and six career-oriented certificate...

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Established in 1978, Fort Peck Community College is a tribal, 2-year institution located in Poplar, Montana. The college offers eight certificate programs and 15 associate’s degree programs, including options for terminal degrees as well as degrees...

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With campus a short distance from the Missouri River, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College is a tribal college in western North Dakota operated by the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. NHSC offers bachelor’s degrees in Native...

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Originally founded as a center for graduate studies, the University of New Mexico Los Alamos is a branch campus of UNM in northern New Mexico. UNM Los Alamos grants associate degrees and certificates in 23 fields of study. Additionally, students at...

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With a name bestowed by Pope John Paul II, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is a Catholic university and a regional campus of the PCUPR system in northern Puerto Rico. PCUPR Arecibo offers bachelor’s degrees in over 160 fields of...

Imperial College London

Imperial is one of the world’s 10 top universities (QS World University Rankings 2024), in one of its most iconic cities – London, UK. With students from more than 140 countries (including a growing number of US students), and a specialist community...

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As one of six campuses of the Washington State University system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment and provides baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people, communities and economy of...