If you’re passionate about nature, and have strong science and math skills, you can put those skills and interests to good use with an environmental science major. By the time you graduate, you’ll understand the issues involved in protecting the environment. Environmental scientists typically work on projects related to degradation, conservation, recycling and replenishment. It makes sense that waste management, power generation, recycling and other industries hire graduates with an environmental science major. You may get involved in cleaning up pollution, advise on policy, or work with a specific industry to reduce waste.
The bulk of their job, however, is done in a lab or office, though they may spend some time in the field collecting samples or monitoring conditions. Rachel Carson—who had worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, authored Silent Spring, which was published in 1962 and showed the effects that pesticides were having on the environment—was instrumental in the banning of DDT. The curriculum contains a variety of science courses: environmental science, climate history, physical geology, ecology, atmosphere and weather, coastal processes, and resources and the environment.
Some graduates pursue a master’s degree, which is required to work in research or in a teaching capacity.
Founded in 1754 as Kings College, Columbia needed a new name when students like Alexander Hamilton won the American Revolution. Benefitting from the Manhattan Renaissance of the past 20 years, Columbia now has single-digit selectivity. Its long commitment to the ... learn more
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Since 1793, Williams has been a superb liberal arts college with a particularly strong program in fine arts that somehow all but retired the Sears Cup, given annually to the most successful Division III athletic program in the nation. Rural ... learn more
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