How To Have A Career In Environmental

Science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary subject that involves basic principles of other
disciplines like ecology, geology, biology, meteorology, chemistry, and physics. It studies
environmental problems and human impacts on the environment. This is a
quantitative subject with both applied and theoretical aspects and has influenced the
policies of governments around the world. Environmental science is different from
environmental studies, which emphasizes the human relationship with the environment and
the social and political dimensions.
There is a wide variety of scientific careers related to environmental science. However, their
alignment with the discipline varies on the employer, project, and individual preference.
There are also many careers in environmental science that require scientific understanding
but could also be accessed by people who studied a different degree.

About the Environmental Scientist:

Job roles, working conditions, and focus are all diverse in this career. People aspiring to be
environmental scientists can be associated with conducting an in-depth analysis of a specific
body of water, or as part of a large multi-disciplinary team analysing a wide range of
environmental samples.
The basic responsibilities of an environmental scientist include informing and supporting
businesses, the government, and the common people on environmental hazards and health
risks. Analysis of soil, water, and air samples to collect environmental data, assessing threats
to the environment through scientific analysis, developing strategies to deal with
environmental problems, and presenting technical reports of scientific researches are all
considered as duties of an environmental scientist.

Eligibility to become an Environmental Scientist:

 For undergraduate courses, students need to pass the 10+2 examination with
science subjects (Biology, Mathematics, and Chemistry).
 Undergraduate courses in Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Environmental Science,
Environmental Management, and Environmental Science & Water Management will
require at least 50% marks.
 Postgraduate courses in Master of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences,
Environment, and Environmental Management will require 55% or more for
admission.
 For further knowledge and higher designation in work a candidate can opt for getting
a Ph.D. degree which will require 60-75% marks.
  For admission in postgraduate courses, students should have a bachelor’s degree in
science subjects or related fields.
 There are two certificate courses on environmental science- Certificate in
Environmental Studies (CES) and Environmental Science
 There are diploma courses in- Environmental Science, Environmental Law, and
Environment Protection.

How to Become an Environmental Scientist:

 After 10+2 the aspiring candidates can take admission in B.Sc. or B.E. in
Environmental Science.
 A candidate can also study subjects like chemistry, geology, physics, or related area.
 Interested candidates may appear for entrance exams to get admission to these
courses of reputed Universities and independent institutions.
 After getting a Bachelor’s or undergraduate degree in candidates can go for higher
education and take admission to an M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences.
 The major topics covered in masters include ecology environmental planning,
pollution biology, environmental laws, etc.
 Candidates can also proceed with Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Research in Environment
Science if interested in Teaching or Research.

Top Environmental Science Institutes in India:

 University of Delhi, Delhi
 Aligarh Muslim University, Jaunpur
 National Environmental Research Institute, Nagpur
 Amity University, Noida
 Forest Research Institute, Dehradun
 Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
 Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
 Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
 Visva Bharati Santiniketan

Environmental Science Entrance Exams:

There are many colleges and universities across India that offer a certified degree in
Environmental Science. For admission to these courses, the candidates must crack the
entrance examinations as conducted by the institutions. Some of the entrance exams for
environmental science are listed below.
 JNU entrance exam.
 Banaras Hindu University entrance exam.
 Delhi University entrance exam.
 BIT entrance exam.
 Guwahati University Entrance exam.
 Indira Gandhi Institute of Development and Research entrance exam.

Career Opportunities in Environmental Science:

People aspiring to be environmental scientists can have a lot of career options. They can
choose to be-
 Environmental Scientists
 Environmental Lawyer
 Environmental Engineer
 Zoologist
 Conservation Scientist
 Hydrologist
 Researcher
 Professor or Teacher

Employment Sector/Industry for Environmental Scientist:

In the present day, there is a great demand for Environmental Scientists in many fields
related to the environment. The scope for environmental scientists will increase shortly.
Environmental Scientists can make a career in fields like nature conservation, pollution
control, regional development, and environmental education, etc. The Department of
Environmental Affairs, the provincial departments of Nature Conservation, and the National
Parks Board hire environmental scientists every year. Private concerns that have a keen
interest in nature conservation, also employ Environmental Scientists.

Jobs in Environmental Science:

 Amenity horticulturist
 Commercial horticulturist
 Environmental consultant
 Environmental education officer
 Environmental engineer
 Environmental manager
 Minerals surveyor
 Nature conservation officer
 Recycling officer
 Sustainability consultant
 Waste management officer
 Water quality scientist
People having a certified degree in Environmental Science can also opt for other jobs which
include:
 Environmental health practitioner
 Horticultural consultant
 Horticultural therapist
 Landscape architect
 Town planner
 Toxicologist
 Transport planner
 Water engineer

Salary of Environmental Scientist:

The salary of an environmental scientist varies with their academic qualification, institute, or
university from which they have attained their qualification and their work experience. The
fresh Post Graduates from the prestigious institutes can have a remuneration
between Rs.35,000 to Rs.40,000 as their monthly salary. With greater job experience in this
field and higher designation, the salary might increase to Rs. 4-6LPA. With a Ph.D. degree, a
candidate can get a good amount of Rs. 6-8LPA.

Study Material to Become Environmental Scientist:

There are many books and PDFs for reference to become an environmental scientist. These
are given below:
1. Environmental Science by Miller T G
2. Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science by Gilbert M Masters
3. The Biodiversity of India by Bharucha Erach
4. Essentials of Ecology by Townsend C and Michael Begon
5. Introduction to Air Pollution by Trivedi R K and P K Goel
6. Environmental Science and Engineering by Henry J C
7. Environmental Science and Engineering by Anjali Bagad
8. Environmental Science and Engineering by Dr. Suresh K Dhameja
9. Environmental Engineering (Mcgraw Hill Series in Water Resources and
Environmental Engineering) by Howard S Peavy
10. Environmental Science by Jyoti Sinha
11. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
12. Global Water: Issues and Insights by David Allendes
13. Global Warming: Causes, Impacts, and Remedies by Bharat Raj Singh
14. Earth and Environmental Sciences by Imran Ahmad Dar, Mithas Ahmad Dar
15. Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Management by Bruce Kendall, Chris
Costello
16. The Forgiving Air: Understanding Environmental Change by Richard C. J. Somerville
Pros & Cons of Becoming an Environmental Scientist:
Pros
1. As an environmental scientist, one can get the opportunity to improve the state of
the planet and the betterment of life.
2. The salary is pretty high with better job experience and knowledge.
3. Full-time positions in this field are common.
4. One can acquire knowledge to solve the problems affecting human health.
5. There is a steady rate of growth within years.
Cons
1. The long hours of fieldwork, particularly in bad weather conditions could be a major
issue.
2. The minimum educational qualification is graduation for all the jobs in this field.
3. Working as a mere research assistant or lab technician can be a labor-intensive task.

FAQs about Environmental Science:

Question: Which is the best institute in India for environmental science?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the University of Delhi (DU) are the best
institutes in India for environmental science.

Question: What is the average salary of an environmental scientist?

Answer: The average salary of a PG candidate in the field of environmental science would
be Rs. 35,000-40,000 per month whereas for Ph.D. candidates it is Rs. 6-8LPA.

Question: What is the major problem in the job as an environmental scientist?

Answer: Gruelling hours of long work in bad weather and topographic conditions is the
most important issue as an environmental scientist.