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Environmental Science at YSU College of STEM
Curious about the benefits of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science? This article might be for you.
STEM and environmental science
When it comes to STEM degrees, most people automatically think computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics and so on. However, another category of STEM degrees includes more specific majors, such as environmental science. This type of degree is as valuable and competitive as other STEM degrees, and with an increasing focus on environmental challenges such as climate change and wildlife population declines, this field has seen an increase in job openings in recent years. Like many other degrees, there is also the opportunity to continue your education with a Master’s degree in this field, or other adjacent fields of study.
what is environmental science?
Authors Tyler Miller and Scott Spoolman describe environmental science as an “interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the living and nonliving parts of their environment”. This discipline began to really take shape in the back half of the 20th century, after environmental activists and writers brought light to a multitude of devastating environmental issues. Works of literature such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, and Tragedy of the Commons by Garrett Hardin helped to educate the public about these issues, and media coverage of environmental disasters increased. These, and other environmental milestones aided in the progression of this discipline into a defined career path for many students who are passionate about preserving and protecting our planet and the species that inhabit it.
environmental science at ySU
At YSU, this undergraduate field is advanced and competitive. Youngstown boasts access to state of the art equipment, including high-end laboratory and field instrumentation. Graduates of YSU’s program have found an array of jobs, in fields like petroleum geology, environmental geology, public health, engineering geology, government regulations and compliance, mining, hydrogeology, environmental safety, geophysics and related fields. There is also the option to continue your education beyond a bachelor’s degree in this field. YSU also has a Master of Science in Environmental Science program, which is geared towards students who may be looking for career paths with regulatory agencies or research facilities, as well as private sector work regarding environmental management, assessment and compliance. Another bonus for those considering this field of study is that median annual salaries for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science can be upwards of $76,500, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Opportunities in this field
While many people perceive environmental science as a narrow field, the opposite is quite true. A degree in this field can help define a career in any one of the job sectors listed above, but it can also create almost endless opportunities outside of governmental agencies or field work. Environmental science graduates have the opportunity to find work in very niche fields that are especially worthwhile to the individual, ranging anywhere from habitat management for pollinator farms to working with renewable energy companies. If there’s an area of particular interest to you, it may be a good idea to browse YSU’s list of minors related to a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. At the end of the day, this major can be a great educational path for passionate students who enjoy immersing themselves in the environment, with a wide variety of highly satisfactory career options.
Learn more about Youngstown State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science as well as their Master of Science in Environmental Science.
