What is Environmental Sciences?
Environmental sciences bring together the fields of ecology, biology, zoology, aquatic ecology, atmospheric science, soil science, geology, hydrology, chemistry, and more in an interdisciplinary study of how natural and human-made processes interact with one another and affect Earth's ecosystems.
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What will I learn?
The Environmental Sciences major prepares students to develop and apply science and technical knowledge to conserve and sustainably manage social-ecological systems. By combining a science-based core curriculum with hands-on experience, students are challenged to identify, analyze, and respond to complex environmental problems across local, regional, and global scales. Students dive into the science and issues related to global change, water quality, species and ecosystem conservation, ecological design, environmental and human health, and more.
Learning Outcomes
Environmental Sciences graduates are trained to:
- Apply their scientific knowledge with a range of methodologies and disciplinary perspectives through scientific inquiry, modeling and real-world experience in addressing pressing environmental issues;
- Employ a systems approach to analyze how human and ecological systems interact to influence processes in air, on land, and in water;
- Assess and articulate the scientific evidence surrounding key environmental issues and critically evaluate ongoing efforts to mitigate environmental problems;
- Design practical and effective solutions to real world problems in collaboration with community partners;
- Deepen their understanding of the concepts, processes, problems, and solutions in a chosen concentration.
What will I do after I graduate?
The world's ever-increasing environmental challenges have created an urgency for solutions-oriented environmental scientists. Environmental Sciences graduates are environmentalists on many levels and are actively working in communities around the world. Graduates go onto graduate school or find employment in a wide variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and environmental consulting firms.
Find more potential careers | Learn more about career development in the Rubenstein School