It is definitely not the first time that you have had that haunting feeling that our environment is at stake. Flowers have drooped, living organisms have stooped, and before we knew it, we have already been trapped in the appalling confines of a concrete jungle. Taking the rapid pace of development into consideration, it may not be long before we would have to encounter our darkest fears, when flora and fauna would be nothing, but a chapter in our children’s text book. Enough of the sad news, isn’t it? So, here is a piece of good news. To curb all this and much more, environmental scientists today have emerged as guardians of the environment. Unstoppable growth in industrialization and urbanization has contributed immensely to environmental pollution. Now, the question is what do we do to conserve our environment? A great deal of responsibility falls upon the shoulders of the environmental scientists who cleverly brainstorm and work towards environmental-friendly living and sustainable development. Thanks to them, environmental consciousness has touched an all new high at international, national, state, and even at the local level. Efforts of the environmental scientists to save the world never go unnoticed. With environmental protection becoming the top issue, scientists are required by national governments and international agencies. Moreover, most of these zealous environmentalists bask in the comfort and fulfilment of striving to protect Mother Nature. Read below for further details on how you can build a career around environmental science.
Courses In Environmental Science
Eligibility
Several educational institutes offer undergraduate and post-graduate courses in environmental science. To kick-start your environmental friendly endeavors, it is recommended that you begin with a BSc in Environmental Science, which can be acquired on completion of 10 + 2 years of schooling with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects. It lasts for three years and entails various on-the-field activities. A candidate hailing from this course or a BSc in zoology, botany, physics or chemistry could pursue an MSc or a diploma course soon after. He or she would have to sit through an entrance exam designed to test the student’s knowledge of the field.
Skills Required
If you have harboured a long cherished dream of being an environmental scientist, you obviously have a strong bond with nature. To ideally fit the course criteria, you must be physically agile, daring and versatile. Leadership qualities and a brilliant aptitude for science is definitely an added advantage.
Details Of The Course
Courses in environmental science are especially drafted for those who have established a strong connection with nature. They study and analyze the environment from a wide perspective so as to develop and implement rejuvenation plans. Topics that equip the students with the essential know how for protecting the environment includes:
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Renewable and non-renewable energy
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Effects of timber extraction, mining and dams
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Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods or drought
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Land degradation, soil erosion and desertification.
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Concept of an ecosystem
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Ecological succession
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Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids
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Forest, grassland, desert & aquatic ecosystems
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Negative effects of urbanisation
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Biodiversity and its conservation
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Biodiversity at global, national and local levels
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Environmental laws and regulations
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Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man wildlife conflict
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Air, water, soil, thermal & noise pollution
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Nuclear hazards
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Solid Waste management
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Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides
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Water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management
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Global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion & nuclear accidents
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Consumerism and waste products
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Role of information technology in environment
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Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation
Specializations
Various institutes offer interesting and comprehensive specialized courses in agriculture, wildlife and plant life. Diploma courses and MSc Degrees are available in fields like environmental engineering or wildlife conservation studies. As an environmental engineer, not only are you indispensable in rectifying matters such as oil spills and toxic wastes, but in designing waste management and recycling systems.
Career Prospects
International agencies, industries, MNCs and governments are all looking for environmental scientists to help them in their efforts to adopt eco-friendly habits. Government agencies like Forest and Environment Departments, Pollution Control Boards, Urban planning and Industries, Water resources and Agriculture seek environmental scientists for assistance. A student from this field can also turn to waste treatment industries, refineries, distilleries, mines, fertilizer plants, food processing industries, and textile mills for quality employment. A graduate of environmental science has magnificent research opportunities that involve developing phenomenal environmental friendly methods and technologies.
Some Of The Best Institutes Offering Courses In Environmental Science
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Virginia College, Texas, USA
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University of Mysore, India
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Animal Behaviour College, CA, USA
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SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, India
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University of Toronto, Canada
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Swarthmore University, Pennsylvania, USA
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Indian Institute of Environment Management (SIES), Navi Mumbai, India
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Barton Peveril College, Hampshire, UK
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Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India
