Many different schools offer bachelor's degree programs for prospective environmental science professionals. Most schools incorporate informative lectures and valuable laboratory assignments into the programs, and the curricula usually emphasize physical sciences such as biology and chemistry. The course work of many programs address the natural world, the effects that organisms have on the planet and the influence of humans on the environment. Courses also teach students to effectively determine and prevent the detrimental effects of pollution on water, soil and air. Students in most programs are required to take classes such as geochemistry, ancient environment analysis, scientific and scholarly writing, environmental measurement, marine systems, environmental biology and soil science.
The master's degree programs at many schools enhance the scientific knowledge of the students while also enabling them to concentrate their studies on a specific environmental issue that they are most passionate about. Specializations that many schools offer for master's degree programs include hydrology, ecology, waste management and toxicology. Most graduate programs discuss the impact of humans on the ecosystem, contemporary environmental problems and natural resource consumption issues. Students in master's programs also are required to apply the knowledge and skills they've acquired to practical situations with labs and to professional situations with fieldwork. Specific classes offered in many programs include paleoclimatology, geochemistry and the environment, ecology, geohydrology and modern issues in environmental science. To get admitted into master's programs, students typically must have a bachelor's degree in environmental science and must have earned excellent grades during their studies.
Many doctorate programs for environmental science facilitate close interactions between the student and a particular faculty adviser who is experienced in the field. Scientific, social and ethical issues are addressed. However, the course work is specifically customized to meet the needs and preferences of each student. Ph.D. programs in environmental science enable students to study, conduct research and write dissertations regarding the environmental issue in which they are most interested. Possible topics for research projects offered by many schools include deforestation, wildlife conservation, air pollution, waste management, natural resource management and global warming.
Environmental science degrees can qualify and prepare students to achieve successful careers in a diverse range of areas within the industry. Students who graduate from bachelor's degree programs typically are eligible to obtain employment working as science technicians, foresters, conservation scientists and environmental technical writers. Students who continue their studies through graduate and doctorate programs are equipped with the advanced knowledge and essential skills required to obtain more elite and prestigious positions in the field. Master's degrees qualify students for jobs such as ecologists, environmental scientists, hydrologists and environmental research technicians. Occupations available for students who complete Ph.D. programs include biochemistry researcher, biological scientist, science professor and zoology researcher. According to Education-Portal.Com, the highest-paying positions for environmental science professionals are environmental engineers and university professors, and both can yield an annual salary of around $70,000 to $80,000 a year.