Environmental Sciences

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that combines aspects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Ecology, Geography, Zoology, Mineralogy, Oceanography, Soil Science, Geology, and Geodesy to study the nature of the environment, its problems and solutions. In this field, they develop the patterns and processes to investigate the ecosystem. Scientific knowledge is used to solve environmental issues. 

What is Environmental Science Course

Environment Science course incorporates the design and technology which will help in solving the environmental issues and environmental quality. The issues of pollution, mitigation, natural resources, and energy systems are incorporated in the study of environmental sciences. 

Environmental Science is an ever-evolving field with a never-ending scope of learning and research. The course can be pursued at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Since Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course, it can be pursued not just as a Science discipline but under the umbrella of Law and Management domains as well.

Courses in Environmental Science

Environmental Science is a vast field that encompasses many fields. It integrates various sciences and technologies to get an understanding of environment-related issues. There is a range of courses offered in this field. 

The undergraduate courses offered in the Environment Science field are:

• BSc in Environmental Science & Wildlife Management

• BSc in Environmental Science and Water Management

• BSc in Environmental Science

• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

• Bachelor in Environment and Ecology

• Diploma in Environment and Ecology

The postgraduate courses offered in the Environment Science field are:

• MBA (Forestry & Environment Management)

• MPhil (Environment Biology)

• MPhil (Environmental Sciences)

• MPhil (Sugar Technology)

• MSc (Disaster Mitigation)

• MSc (Earth Science)

• MSc (Ecology & Environmental Science)

• MSc (Environmental and Climate Change Management)

• MSc (Environmental Biotechnology)

• MSc (Environmental Chemistry)

• MSc (Environmental Management)

• MSc (Environmental Science & Technology)

• MSc (Environmental Science)

• MSc (Global Warming Reduction)

• MSc (Green Technology)

• MSc (Habitat and Population Studies)

• MSc (Hons) (Environmental Science)

• MSc (Life Science)

• MSc (Pollution Control)

• MSc (Sugar Technology)

• MSc (Sustainable Development)

• MTech (Environmental Science and Technology)

• MTech (Applied Botany)

• MTech (Environmental Science)

The doctoral programs offered in the field of Environmental Science are:

• PhD (Earth Sciences)

• PhD (Environment Studies)

• PhD (Environment Biology)

• PhD (Environmental Science)

• PhD (Sugar Technology)

The diploma courses offered by the institutes in the field of Environmental Science are:

• Diploma Course in Environment Protection

• Diploma in Environmental Law

• Diploma in Food Technology

• PG Diploma in Environment

• PG Diploma in Cooperation and Rural Studies

• PG Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development

• PG Diploma in Environmental Impact Assessment and Auditing

• PG Diploma in Environmental Pollution Control Technology

• PG Diploma in Environmental Sciences

The certificate courses in Environmental Science are:

• Certificate in Environmental Studies

• Certified Course in Environment Awareness

There are many specialisation fields of Environment Science which are being offered by several institutes and colleges. Some of them are:

• Occupational Safety and Health Management

• Water and Watershed

• Fire Sciences

• Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Risk Management

• Environmental Science and Engineering

• Environmental Education

• Environmental Policy and Conflict Management

• Wildlife and Forestry

Eligibility Criteria for Environmental Science Courses

The eligibility criteria for the courses of Environmental Science varies from course to course and according to the level of course.

For undergraduate courses, the basic eligibility is to pass the Class 12 Board exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. Few universities also offer Bachelor of Environmental Management (BEM) and the eligibility criteria for this course is BSc, Engineering diploma holders can also take admission in the undergraduate course.

For postgraduate courses, basic eligibility is BSc in Environmental Science or bachelor’s degree in any discipline of science which is related to the study of the environment such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Geography, Ecology, Geology, etc. For getting admission in MTech, some institutes prefer Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) qualified students.

For doctoral and post-doctoral courses like MPhil. and PhD, candidates must have a master's degree in Environment Science or equivalent field. Most of the institutes admit students based on the entrance exam followed by a personal interview. The candidates who have qualified for the GATE, UGC NET, CSIR, MTech, MPhil., or equivalent degree need not take the entrance tests. They only have to appear for the personal interview rounds. 

Various institutes offer Post Graduate Diploma courses in Environmental Science and Environmental Management through distance learning mode. The National Law School of Indian University, Bangalore offers PG Diploma in Environmental Law. The course duration is one year. Sikkim Manipal University, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and several other universities offer short term courses 

Admission Process for Environmental Science Courses

The admission process to Environmental Science courses is generally done in two modes, merit-based and entrance exam-based. The admission process varies from institute to institute. Let us check the process for both modes here.

Merit-based Admission Process:  For institutes/universities conducting merit-based admission consider applicants’ past academic records such as Class 10, Class 12 Board exam (for undergraduate level courses) and graduation or bachelor’s degree course records (for postgraduate level courses).

Entrance-based Admission Process: Aspirants need to appear for the entrance exams for Environmental Sciences programmes and qualify for those by securing the cut off marks. The qualified candidates will have to appear for the counselling or selection rounds for completing the final admission process.

Skillset Required to Pursue Environment Science Courses

Students or aspirants who are interested in pursuing Environmental Science courses in undergraduate or postgraduate courses must possess all or some of the following skill-sets:

• Numerical and computation ability

• Data analysis

• Information Technology

• Research and development

• Laboratory and fieldwork skills

• Awareness and consciousness regarding environmental issues

• Critical evaluation

• Teamwork

• Communication skills

Top Specialisations Offered in Environmental Science

Some of the top and most preferred specialisations of Environmental Science courses are listed below:

• Soil Ecology

• Aquatic/Marine Biology

• Earth Systems

• Environmental and Biological Conservation

• Energy and Climate Change

• Water Resource Management

• Pollution Prevention and Remediation

Top Colleges Offering Environment Science Courses

The following table enlists the top colleges offering Environment Science courses across India.

Course Duration and Fees

The following table brings the list of Environmental Science courses along with their duration and fees. 

Environmental Sciences Syllabus

There is a range of subjects taught during the course so that students get exposed to the best and gain knowledge.

The subjects offered in a bachelor’s degree and master's degree are given in the below table.

Career Opportunities After Environmental Science Course

The concept of sustainable development and ecological sustainability is becoming rapidly famous. The companies are getting more interested and are investing money in the research work of sustainable development and ecological sustainability so the scope in this field is increasing day by day. They are hired by the Forest and Environment Department, Pollution Control Board, Waste Treatment Industries, Agriculture Industry, Refineries, Mines, Fertilizer Plants, Urban Planning Commission, Distilleries, and Food Processing Industries.

The graduates can engage in research activities in the private and government sectors. They can become Environmental journalists, Environmental research trainees, Conservation hydrologists, and Environment photographers. On the other hand, postgraduate individuals can become Product Manager, BioResearch Assistant, Environmental Engineer, Environmental Specialists, and Technical Test Engineer.

The doctorate personnel can be hired for management roles concerning scientific research and consulting services. The candidates can become zoologists, ecologists, lecturers, Research assistants, naturalists, and Hydrologists.

After PG Diploma in Environmental science, candidates can become Environmental Technician, Forest Carbon Specialist, Environment Journalist, and Catastrophe Risk Modeler.

Roles and Salaries Offered

The following table brings the top job positions and average salary package.

Top Recruiters of Environmental Science 

Here we bring the list of top recruiters for Environmental Science graduates:

• AECOM Technology Corporation
• Doshion Limited
• Earth Water Limited
• Gujarat Enviro Protection & Infrastructure Ltd.
• Nalco Water India Ltd.
• Paramount Ltd.
• WAE Corp Private Ltd.
• Swelect Energy Systems Ltd.
• Enviro Control Associates India Private. Ltd.
• Aquatech Systems Asia Pvt. Ltd.

FAQs Regarding Environment Science Course

Q: What is Environmental Science?

Q: Is Environmental Science a degree or a diploma course?

Q: What is the duration of the Environment Science course?

Q: Is Environmental Science a good course?

Q: What are the major subjects taught in the Environmental Science course?

Q: What is the average fee for an Environmental Science course?

Q: Do colleges offering Environmental Science courses offer placement support?

Q: What are the job prospects one can explore after pursuing an Environmental Science course?

Q: Which are some of the top recruiters for Environmental Sciences?

Q: What are the options of higher education after completing graduation in Environmental Sciences?