Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Environmental Scientist
Are you mindful of and genuinely concerned about the natural world and our natural resources—the water we drink, the air we breathe? Ever wondered about humans' impact thereon? If so, and if you excel in Science and Math and wish to join the fight to preserve and restore all natural resources, habitats, and ecosystems, then you should seriously consider a career in Environmental Science.
Environmental Scientists conduct research and perform investigations for the purpose of identifying, abating, and eliminating sources of pollutants and hazards that affect the environment and the health of the population. Using their knowledge of the various natural sciences, they collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action, based on the data derived from measurements and observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. Protecting the environment, by identifying problems and finding solutions that minimize hazards to the health of the environment and the population, is their core objective.
The duties of an Environmental Scientist include but are not limited to: determining data-collection methods for research projects, investigations, and surveys; collecting environmental data (samples of air, soil, water, food, etc.) for scientific analysis; analyzing samples, surveys, and other information to identify and assess threats to the environment; developing plans to prevent, control, and fix environmental problems (pollution, harm to land or water, etc.); developing plans to restore polluted and contaminated land and water; assessing the risks new construction projects pose to the environment and providing information, guidance, and recommendations to government officials, businesses, and the general public on possible environmental hazards and health risks and how to minimize the environmental impact of these projects; identifying ways to change human behavior to avoid problems (ozone layer depletion, etc.); ensuring that there is clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, and no hazardous materials in the soil; conducting research; preparing technical reports and presentations that explain their research and findings; and teaching at universities.
High school students interested in becoming an Environmental Scientist benefit from taking Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Trigonometry, and Computer Applications. Students entering Environmental Science Bachelor's of Science programs from high school with no previous Environmental Science training should expect a period of four years to complete said program. Environmental Science research firms and government agencies typically seek advanced degrees (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Environmental Science for jobs in research, and a Ph.D. is generally required of teachers at universities, which requires four more years of college after earning a Bachelor's degree.
Specialties of Environmental Science include: Environmental Health (study environmental factors' impact on human health and investigate potential health risks—unsafe drinking water, disease, food safety, etc.); Environmental Protection (monitor effects of human activity on the environment and investigate sources of pollution); and Environmental Chemists (study effects various chemicals have on ecosystems).
Due to heightened public interest in hazards facing the environment, increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth, and the number of scientists set to retire, employment of Environmental Scientists is expected to grow by 19 percent. And, that growth should continue to rise in order to keep pace with our increasingly complex environmental laws and regulations.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
Median Salary: $63,570
Salary Range: ~$38,570 - $109,970+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The normal routes to becoming an Environmental Scientist have been to major in Integrated Environmental Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, Environmental Physics, Environmental Biology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Studies and Sustainable Systems, Environmental Soil Science, Biology (Ecology concentration), Marine Environmental Science, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Health, Forestry Science, Plant Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Science, Marine Biology, Wildlife Biology, Marine Science, Physics (Environmental Geophysics concentration), Zoology, Wildlife Management, Fisheries Biology, Natural Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, Public Health Science, Chemistry, Urban and Regional Planning, Life Sciences, Health Science, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Geology, Urban Forestry, Life Science and Physical Science, Geographic Information Science, Environmental Health Science, Urban Studies, Allied Health, Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, Mining Engineering Technology, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, or Health Services Administration (Public and Environmental Health Agency concentration).
College coursework includes: Geology, Hydrology, Waste Management, Fluid Mechanics, Environmental Policy and Regulations, Computer Modeling, Data Analysis, and Geographic Information Systems.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have Environmental Science and related majors are: Alabama A&M University (Huntsville, Alabama); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, Arkansas); Howard University (Washington, DC); Alcorn State University (Lorman, Mississippi); University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC); Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, Florida); Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, Florida); Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia); Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Kentucky State University (Frankfort, KY); University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne, Maryland); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Mississippi); Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri); Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania); Langston University (Langston, Oklahoma); Voorhees College (Denmark, South Carolina); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); Cheyney University (Cheyney, Pennsylvania); Hampton University (Hampton, University); Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas); Miles College (Fairfield, Alabama); Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia); Saint Augustine's University (Raleigh, North Carolina); Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Morris College (Sumter, South Carolina); Xavier University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Norfolk State University (Norfolk, Virginia); Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware); Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland); and Charles R. Drew University (Los Angeles, California).
Available Scholarships
