Career in Environment Science

What: Environmental science is the branch of biology concerned with the relations between organisms and their environment. Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems. Environmental Science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Environment has been the greatest source of life for the living beings on earth. Be it food, shelter, clothes, water, sunlight, air, or any other substance for supporting life, everything is provided to us by the environment.

The rapid growth in urbanization and industrialization, however, has badly disturbed and destroyed the balance of our environment, because of which there has been unsustainable growth and development. There is a huge responsibility on the part of the environmentalist or environmental scientists to propose several environment friendly processes of development.

A graduate can expect a payment anywhere between Rs.25, 000 – Rs.45, 000. Those with post graduate degree may start with a salary range between Rs.30, 000 – Rs.60, 000. An environmental scientist can earn a starting salary between Rs.50,000 and 120,000 per month which can go up to Rs 2,50,000 per month.

How:  Environmental scientists work on subjects like the under-standing of earth processes, evaluating alternative energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global climate change.

Key attributes of an effective environmental scientist include the ability to relate space, and time relationships as well as quantitative analysis. Since the Environmental Science programs are multi-disciplinary and holistic in nature, they need an in-depth knowledge on the subject. Starters must also have the capability to work in a team or lead a team.

Where: Several institutes and colleges in India, these days offer both Undergraduate and Post-graduate programs in Environmental Science. One can go for B.Sc. or a B.E degree in Environ-mental Science. The minimum qualification required for this is 12th standard with Science subjects. The course duration is of three years.

You can also pursue Post Graduate courses in Environmental Science such as M.Sc. in Environmental Science. The duration of this course is two years and the minimum eligibility criterion in this regard is a B.Sc. degree in Environmental Science or any other related science subject. Some institutes also offer a 2-year M.Tech program in Environmental Science, for which only B.Tech or B.E candidates are eligible.

Apart from these, short-term Post Graduate Diploma programs are also there in Environmental Science and Environment Management. Doctoral or Post-doctoral programs such as M.Phil and Ph.D in Environmental Science can also be undertaken by students.

Institutions: (see below)