IntroductionPrograms in environmental science prepare people to approach problems in thenatural world using scientific principles. Students take courses in subjectssuch as biology, geology, and chemistry to understand the environment and itsneeds. They study ecosystems and learn methods for protecting habitats andother natural resources for human and wildlife.
Overview
Wendell Berry, a well-known writer and Kentucky farmer, once said, "Tocherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only hope ofsurvival." This is a dramatic statement, no? But if phrases such as"global warming," "pollution," "coastal erosion,"and "endangered species" popped into your head, you probably alreadyknow that Berry is not exaggerating.
The word "environment" involves many different areas in oursurroundings. It involves oceans, rivers, and lakes. It involves forests,deserts, and mountains. It involves the air all around us, the atmosphere highabove us, and the earth far below the ground. And if you think the environmentis where you go to escape the city, think again. It also includes the streets,sidewalks, and open lots of even the most urban areas.
The environment is where we humans coexist with animals, plants, and otherliving creatures. You can begin to imagine just how varied the environment andits inhabitants are. In the same way, the scientific disciplines that we studyto understand the environment span a wide range. When you major in thisprogram, you study various aspects of environmental problems and search forsolutions from different angles.
Because environmental science is interdisciplinary, you usually take sciencecourses based on the area of environmental science that most interests you. Forexample, let's say you want to help control urban pollution. In order to do this,you might first take courses in chemistry to understand the nature ofpollutants in car exhaust fumes and other sources. You would study atmosphericscience to learn how pollutants affect air quality. You might also studyhorticultural science to learn if pollutants also affect plants, or whetherplants can improve air quality instead.
Your work in environmental science often becomes the information base forpeople who decide how to use natural resources and how to create laws toprotect the environment.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degreeprograms in environmental studies. In general, a bachelor's degree takes aboutfour years of full-time study after high school, and a master's degree aboutone to two years after that. If you want to pursue a doctoral degree, you needthree to four additional years after earning your master's degree.
Some two-year colleges offer an associate degree program. In some cases, youcan transfer your credits from this type of program to a bachelor's degreeprogram at a four-year college or university.
