Environmental Science

The problems of the environment are so complex and far reaching that many different occupations are involved in finding solutions. The Environmental Science major gives you a basic understanding of the physical, geological and social sciences and how they apply to environmental processes and issues.

Representative Job Titles and Area of Specialization

Agricultural Chemicals Inspector
Air Pollution Control Analyst *
Biological Control Specialist
Coastal Zone Planner *
Community Health Inspector
Demographic Specialist
Energy Conservation Economist
Environmental Biochemist
Environmental Designer
Environmental Economist
Environmental Educator
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Impact Analyst *
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lobbyist *
Fish And Game Warden *
Fisheries Scientist
Forester *
Geodesist
Geothermal Analyst
Hazardous Waste Specialist *
Hydrographer *
Hydrologist *
Industrial Hygienist *
Interpretive Naturalist *

Irrigation Water Manager *
Land Use Planner *
Natural Resources Assistant *
Noise Pollution Specialist
Oceanographer/Marine Ecologist
Park Ranger *
Parks And Recreation Specialist *
Power Engineer
Radiation Protection Specialist *
Radiological Programs Engineer
Range Management Scientist
Resources Policy Analyst *
Sanitary Engineer *
Sedimentologist
Soil Conservationist *
Solid Waste Manager
Toxicologist
Transportation Planner *
Urban Or Regional Planner *
Utility Corridor Planner *
Water Pollution Technician *
Water Resources Engineer
Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife Preserve Manager

* See Training section

Nature of the Work

The type of work done by environmentalists is generalized here under a few major classifications:

Ecologists study of the relations of organisms, or of whole local ecosystems, to their environments. Their work frequently involves pure research in a university of government agency setting.
Conservationists devote their careers to the protection and wise use of our natural resources: soil, water, forests, minerals, wildlife, and grazing lands.
Environmental design, architecture, planning and urban development have to do with land use and buildings.

Places of Employment

Universities and colleges
Hospitals
Environmental consulting firms
Manufacturing firms
Oil companies
Public utilities
Independent research laboratories
Consulting engineering firms
City, county and state agencies including:
- Departments of public health
- Planning departments
- Coastal agencies
- Water treatment facilities
- Water authorities
- Departments of conservation
- Departments of agriculture
- Departments of community development
- Departments of public works

Federal agencies including:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Bureau of Land Management
- Forest Service
- National Parks Service
- Geological Survey
- Department of Agriculture
- Rural Development Services
- Soil Conservation Service
- Department of the Interior
- Federal Power Commission
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Federal Highway Administration
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Agricultural Research Service
- Bureau of Mines
- Fish and Wildlife Service

Training

Check out the jobs with asterisks. They may be obtained with a bachelor's degree depending on the type of coursework you completed and experience you gained as an undergrad.

Many jobs at the professional level require a master's or Ph.D. If you want to teach and conduct research at a university, a Ph.D. is a must.

For further information and/or career counseling contact the UCR Career Center, (951) 827-3631.