What is Environmental
Science?
Environmental science is the study of the
natural environment, integrating the sciences with knowledge of our
impacts on the planet and a desire to solve environmental
problems. The Environmental Science major is an
interdisciplinary major designed to prepare students to face
increasingly complex environmental challenges in the context of
environmental quality management and sustainable development.
Environmental Science majors are prepared to monitor, model and
manage environmental systems in the areas of environmental quality
and risk evaluation, sampling and analysis, remediation, research
and regulatory compliance.
What do environmental scientists do?
Job titles of Environmental Scientists
Graduates pursue careers in environmental
consulting, regulatory agencies or corporations. They may
choose field-oriented positions in pollution monitoring and
remediation including air, water or soil quality assessment and
remediation. Environmental Scientists also control and
minimize the impacts of technology and waste on the
environment. Graduates may choose specialized positions in
environmental policy, environmental risk assessment, ecological
assessment or computer modeling. Corporations and government
agencies require environmental science graduates to ensure
compliance with applicable law and regulations intended to preserve
the environment. Students with environmental research
interests are also prepared to pursue advanced
degrees.
Why major in Environmental Science?
- Maintain a high quality
environment for this and future generations.
- Develop a personal environmental
commitment into a professional career.
- Pursue a flexible curriculum that
enables them to specialize in a particular area of
interest.
- Turn a longtime interest in a
particular area of environmental science into a professional
career.
- Acquire the interdisciplinary training
necessary for many environmental science careers or for graduate
school.
The goal of the
Environmental Science major at UW-River Falls is to provide students with
the necessary foundation to pursue either a general or specialized career
in the multidisciplinary field of Environmental Science. Departments
contributing to the major include Agricultural Engineering Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics
and Plant &
Earth Science. This goal is accomplished through a curriculum
that provides a core of essential courses as well as courses chosen to
prepare the student for the chosen academic area. Ample elective
courses then allow for as broad or specific a focus as the student
desires. The academic program includes lecture, hands-on and
field-oriented laboratories and an internship to provide the necessary
knowledge, skills and experience to begin a career in Environmental
Science.
A sample 4 year course of study.
Questions about Environmental Science? E-mail Dr. Laine Vignona
