Why Environmental Science?
Environmental Science is one of the most interdisciplinary and practical degrees offered at the University of the Pacific.
What is Environmental Science?
Students of environmental science learn how the physical and biological processes that shape the natural world interact. They also look at how we affect nature and come up with solutions to environmental problems. Environmental science requires a creative and passionate approach, one that integrates essential knowledge and skills from physics, chemistry, and biology.
Who does Environmental Science?
Are you ready to gain lots of hands on experience in an internship or research experience? Do you like to collaborate in groups, as well as work independently? Are you interested in all of your sciences courses? It helps to be passionate about the outdoors, as well as interested in math, science, and computers. You should be a problem solver who likes looking thoroughly at every aspect of an issue to come up with original solutions. You must be able to make connections between many fields, not only in the sciences, but also in policy, sociology, and philosophy!
Job Growth
"Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Heightened public interest in the hazards facing the environment, as well as the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth, is expected to spur demand for environmental scientists and specialists." (www.bls.gov)
Competitive salaries
Environmental Science careers offer competitive salaries and benefits packages. Some examples of representative average starting and median salaries include:
- Environmental Science Technician (starting $34,081 / median $44,120)
- Soil & Plant Scientist (starting $45,855 / median $63,645)
- Environmental Scientist (starting $41,388 / median $77,750)
- Environmental Science Postsecondary Teacher (starting $47,131 / median $77,425)
- Environmental Engineering Technician (starting $39,160 / median $49,160)
Fantastic post-graduate options
Our interdisciplinary program prepares students for a broad range of challenges and careers - an ES degree from Pacific will make you very competitive for jobs & graduate school. Environmental Science graduates are immediately employable & are extremely competitive candidates for a variety of graduate programs (including law, medical, MBA, and policy programs). However, if you choose to pursue a graduate degree in ES, most programs are supported by research & teaching assistantships and essentially free to students! Further your career & earning potential without incurring student debt!