Environmental Sciences
Meet the challenges of creating a safe, healthy environment. Learn to recognize and control the impact of pollution and environmental stress on ecosystems. Monitor environmental quality and interpret the impact of human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems using a multi-disciplinary approach to respond to urgent problems in the environment.
This major is also available as a minor.
Concentrations
- Environmental Biology
- Provides an understanding of the relationships and interdependence between all life forms – microorganisms, plants, animals, and humans – in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The emphasis is on understanding our natural and managed ecosystems and determining the effects of human activities on these ecosystems. Students learn methods to detect and monitor pollutants and assess their biological effects.
- Environmental Policy
- Trains students who want to use their scientific background to address environmental public policy issues, including economic analysis, regulation, administration, enforcement, and law. Students learn analytic techniques such as environmental impact analysis, risk assessment, and benefit-cost analysis to examine how to best approach the resolution of environmental problems.
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
- Focuses on the impacts of environmental contaminants on living organisms and the ways chemical processes affect air, soil, groundwater, and aquatic environments. Students learn how to identify, measure, and quantify the distribution and metabolic aspects of hazardous substances using chemistry, microbiology and physics. Students also learn analytical techniques used to assess safety or predict potential hazards.
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22 |
faculty members |
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|---|---|---|
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33 |
students in class of 2006 |
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6:1 |
student to faculty ratio |
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#10 |
department ranking in a UMass 2004-2006 satisfaction survey of graduating seniors |
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100% |
of juniors surveyed in 2006 were very satisfied or satisfied with their major |
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Study Abroad - where students have studied
- Baden-Wurttemberg Exchange: Germany
- EcoQuest: New Zealand
- Marine Resource Center: Turks and Caicos Islands
- Northern Ireland
- School for Field Studes: Baja, Mexico
- Sydney, Australia
- University of Queensland: Brisbane, Australia
- University of Wollongong: New South Wales, Australia
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Internships/Co-ops - where students have interned
- Amherst Conservation Commission
- AstraZenaca
- Bioshelters Inc.
- Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
- C.T. Male Associates, PC
- City of Northampton
- Hilltown Resource Management Cooperative (HRMC)
- Mass Audubon Sanctuary, Wachusett Mt
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
- MASSPIRG
- New England Aquarium, Dauphin Island Sealab
- New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services
- Pfizer
- Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)
- Quabbin Regional School District
- Spectrum Analytical
- Student Conservation Association - New Hampshire, Wyoming, Alaska, and Colorado
- Town of Amherst
- Town of Brewster Beach Dept.
- Town of South Hadley
- UMass Amherst Environmental Health & Safety
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
- Volpe Center (US DOT)
- Westover Air Force Base
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$ 33,625 |
Average salary 1 year after graduation for 2003-2005 grads. |
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$ 43,286 |
Average salary 5 years after graduation for 1998-2000 grads. |
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Jobs held by recent grads (up to 5 years after graduation)
- After School Program Instructor, Ware Public Schools
- Americorps Member, Watershed Stewards Project
- Assistant Museum Director, Maria Mitchell Association
- Chemist, Groundwater Analytical
- Director of Distribution and Marketing, Sovereignty Records
- Economist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Educator and Interpreter, The Trustees of Reservations
- Environmental Careers Organization Intern, Environmental Protection Agency- Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
- Environmental Educator, Don Lee Education Center
- Environmental Health & Safety Associate, Antigenics, Inc.
- Environmental Health & Safety Specialist II, Shire Human Genetic Therapies Inc.
- Environmental Health and Safety Manager, General Electric
- Environmental Health and Safety Officer, Togus VA Medical Center
- Environmental Protection Specialist, US DOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration
- Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental Scientist, Enstrat, Inc.
- Environmental Scientist, Lord Associates
- Environmental Scientist, The Geotechnical Group, Inc. - Environmental Division
- Environmental Scientist, Maxymillian Technologists Inc.
- Environmental Scientist I, Corporate Environmental Advisors
- Environmental Technician, Hargrave Environmental Consulting
- Environmental Technician II, Veolia Technical Services
- Farallones Marine Sanctuary Associate, National Ocianic and Atmospheric Administration
- Food Safety Specialist, NSF International
- GIS Analyst II, AMEC
- Graduate Research Assistant, University of South Carolina
- Health Agent, Town of Dennis Health Department
- Health Agent, Town of Brewster
- Hydrogeologist, Handex
- Level II Environmental Scientist, Environmental Compliance Services
- Outdoor Recreation Planner, US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Massachusetts
- Program Analyst, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Program Coordinator, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Harvard University
- Program Specialist II, Boulder County
- Reasearch Technician, The Nantucket Conservation Foundation
- Science Teacher, Colegio Americano de Quito
- Science Teacher, King-Chavez Academy, San Diego CA
- Science Teacher, Minuteman Regional High School
- Scientist, Cetek Corporation
- Scientist I, Wyeth
- Senior Research Associate, Charles River Laboratories
- Sharebid Monitor, Massachusetts Audubon Society
- Supervisory Park Ranger, US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Teacher, Town of Westborough
- Teacher, Town of Belchertown
- Teacher and School Counselor, Germaine Lawrence
- Teacher, High School Biology and Algebra, Boston Public Schools
- Teacher/ Office Manager, Mad Science Of Greater Boston
- Trip Leader, Sargent Center for Outdoor Education
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Advanced degrees graduates have pursued
- Masters of Environmental Design, Tufts University
- Masters of Environmental Management, Harvard University
- Masters of Teaching, National University
- Masters of Biology/Math Education, UMass Boston
- Masters of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Masters of Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
- Masters of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Masters of Environmental Sciences, Columbia University
- Masters of Coastal Environmental Management, Duke University
- Masters of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Masters of Educational Technology, Framingham State College
- Masters of Teaching, Simmons
- Masters of Resource Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Masters of Environmental Health, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Masters of Biology, Towson University
- Masters of Environmental Toxicology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Masters of Energy and Environmental Analysis, Boston University
- Masters of Environmental Policy, Bard
- Masters of Industrial Hygiene, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Masters of Environmental Management, Harvard University
- Masters of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts
- Masters of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts
- Doctorate in Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina
- Doctorate in Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina
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