Integrated resource policy and planning option Parks, recreation, and tourism administration option Return to Table of Contents Environmental science Environmental concerns are among the most important and controversial problems confronting people in the world today. Environmental issues such as hazardous and toxic waste management and disposal, global climate change, the maintenance of a safe water and soil quality, wetland reconstruction, rain forest loss, the general deterioration of the earth's biosphere, and biological diversity are areas of challenge in environmental science. The goal of the environmental science program at the School of Natural Resources is to understand these and other issues as a means for improving the quality of life. In order to do so, it is important to understand the scientific processes and principles of the natural environment. Environmental science graduates work in a variety of environments and with many different organizations, agencies, industries, and consulting firms.
Some graduates go on to professional programs such as law or medicine.
Employment in the areas of hazardous and solid waste management, water quality management, air pollution control, and land management techniques are typical. Career opportunities are quite diverse and are expanding everyday. The land option focuses on solving environmental problems related to land use planning. This option features courses in city and regional planning, geography, ecosystem rehabilitation and restoration. Ecosystem planning and management are the predominant themes of this option emphasizing the scientific interface between urban, rural, and undeveloped lands.