Environmental Sciences
About Environmental Sciences
Environmental Sciences is the application of scientific knowledge from many disciplines to issues and questions relating to the increase in human population, the sustainability of resource use, degradation caused by pollution and disturbance, and the endangerment and extinction of species and natural systems. There are many career opportunities in environmental sciences, as population and consumption rates rise alongside the Earth's finite space and resources. Some graduates choose to go into environmental protection or conservation, exploring ways of reducing pollution and finding alternate methods of extracting resources from the Earth that are minimally destructive. Others choose to enter the promotion and lobbying side of environmental science, increasing public awareness of environmental issues. It is also possible to work in the management sector by working in environmental policy and law. The opportunities to work in environmental science are certainly varied and diverse, as society becomes increasingly conscious of the vulnerability of Earth's ecosystems and inhabitants.
Program Details
These programs are designed to give students a broad perspective on the environment. Environmental Sciences concentrates on understanding the major environmental issues facing human societies and adopts an integrative cross-disciplinary approach. Topics include global climate change, human energy use and sources, loss of biodiversity, and environment policy. This program provides a significant background in physical sciences, earth and ocean sciences and life sciences. The core courses examine environmental issues through seminars and student projects. Students select electives from areas of concentration.
Skills
- Gain a systematic understanding of environmental issues
- Field sampling
- Data analysis and modeling
- Analysis of contaminants and pollutants
- Observation and interpretation of data experimental design
- Environmental impact assessments and audits
- Technical report writing
- Technical knowledge using geographic information systems (GIS), statistics, and computer programming
Programs offered
- Major or Honours, Environmental Sciences
Resources
Career Options
With an undergraduate degree
- Conservation officer
- Eco-tourism planner
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental health officer
- Environmental manager
- Environmental reporter
- Park naturalist/ranger
- Recycling officer
- Science writer
- Waste and water resource specialist
- Water management officer
With additional study
- Agronomist
- Air quality specialist
- Ecologist
- Environmental engineer
- Environmental law
- Environmental marketing specialist
- Fisheries and wildlife manager
- Forester
- GIS analyst
- Landscape architect
- Teacher/Professor
- Urban planner
UBC Science Environmental Sciences Graduates Work As
- Science and Policy Associate, Environmental Law and Policy Center
- GIS Technician, Environment Canada
- Environmental Technician, Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd
- Graduate Student in Environmental Sciences, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
- Wildlife Conservation Volunteer, Stanley Park Ecology Society
- Laboratory Assistant, ALS
- Environmental Junior Forestry Technician, Integrated ProAction Corp (IPAC)