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What is environmental science?

Environmental science aims to improve the current and future welfare of humans through the application of science and the development of sound environmental policies. You will focus on the study of the natural environment, its processes and interactions, and the ways in which humans impact and interact within the environment.

Why environmental science at OSU?

As an environmental science major, you will engage in problem-solving studies related to water and soil quality, economics, environmental policy, political science, resource management and engineering. You will also gain important skills in communication, philosophy, ethics and sociology. An environmental science degree is versatile. Graduates are employed in a wide range of fields and sectors including private, non-profit and government agencies.
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Career paths

Employment for graduates occurs in a wide range of fields and sectors including private, non-profit and government agencies. Graduates can look forward to working in one or more of the following fields:


  • Conservation planning
  • Environmental compliance
  • Environmental law
  • Environmental remediation
  • Environmental scientist
  • Extension education
  • Government agencies
  • Hydrology
  • Land-use planning
  • Soil and water quality
  • Waste disposal
  • Wetlands and watershed management

15%projected job growth

Jobs within the environmental science field are projected to grow about 15 percent through 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics says

Highlights

Student success

Janayah Murray, Oklahoma - Environmental science student

“Environmental science is important simply because it’s the environment – it’s what surrounds us. It is the environment, plus the humans and animals who live in it. The environmental science major is about being able to balance what we need with what we want.”

- Janayah Murray
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Hands-on learning

Many courses in the environmental science program are hands-on and designed to immerse you in the field, providing you with the opportunity to address environmental problems from the standpoint of ethics, risk, and scientific and social feasibility. For example, the senior-level capstone class features a team-based project, which helps students develop real-world experience as they work with professionals in environmental science related fields.

 

Fast fact

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs within the environmental science field are projected to grow about 11 percent through 2026, which is higher than the average for all job fields.

A multi-faceted approach

The environmental science undergraduate major is a multidisciplinary major directly supported by faculty from several departments within CASNR: agricultural economics, biosystems and agricultural engineering, entomology and plant pathology, horticulture and landscape architecture, natural resource ecology and management, and plant and soil sciences. The combined approach, and experience of the faculty members, will give you a unique and multi-faceted academic career.

 

OSU Students on site learning

Undergraduate research

As an environmental science student, you will benefit from working with faculty who are conducting cutting-edge research involving environmental problems. CASNR has long been committed to fostering research opportunities and partnerships that lead to scholastic achievement, societal improvements, technological innovation and economic revitalization.

Explore related programs

Agriculture & Animal Science majors

Natural & Geological Sciences majors

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