Environmental ScienceGrowing populations, increased urbanization, agriculture, wetland loss, and climate change are placing enormous pressures on our environmental resources. Environmental science includes the fundamental study of these natural geological, chemical, and biological resources, as well as the dynamics of the coupled natural-human relationships that shape these systems. The growing need for the sustainable management of environmental resources has driven the skyrocketing demand for environmental scientists. This is particularly true in Louisiana where we host 40% of the wetlands in the U.S., while maintaining strong industrial (e.g., petroleum exploration and refining, fisheries, etc.) and agricultural traditions. Our graduates find work as Environmental Consultants, Soil and Water Conservationists, Water Quality Specialists, GIS Specialists, Soil Scientists, Environmental Field Sampling Technicians, Environmental Laboratory Technicians, Quality Assurance Specialists, Environmental Health and Safety Specialists, and Resource managers. Many others choose to pursue a graduate education in environmental sciences or directly-related fields within Geosciences or Biology.
B.S. Degree Program and Curriculum: Our B.S. degree curriculum for Environmental Science has three concentration areas: Soil & Water, Environmental Quality, and Digital Geography. All three pathways require core course work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology, soils, and GIS. The Program offers an overview of environmental challenges followed by learning techniques for solving them.
Soil and Water Concentration focuses on the management challenges on soil and water conservation/management with a strong emphasis on soils. Students learn basics and applied aspects of wetland soils, soil classification and survey, environmental geology, analytical chemistry, and clay mineralogy. Graduates are well-suited for jobs with agencies managing parks, soil and water resources, environmental quality, and environmental remediation.
Environmental Quality Concentration focuses on the management of air quality, water quality, and soil quality. In this concentration, students learn the basic and applied aspects of air quality, water quality, environmental toxicology, microbiology, soil quality and environmental geology. Graduates are well-suited for jobs with agencies managing environmental quality, parks, soil and water resources, environmental remediation, leadership in education, local government, and environmental advocacy.
Digital Geography Concentration focuses on GIS and Remote Sensing applications for understanding and management of natural resources. Students learn basic and applied aspects of wetland soils, landscape evolution, and coastal science and develop expertise on Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Image Interpretation, and Mapping. Graduates are well suited for jobs with agencies involved in GIS mapping, use of satellite images, natural resources planning and management, and spatial modeling.
How to apply:
Information for Prospective Students: this link has it all! Admissions and Enrollment Services, How to Apply, Admissions Requirements, Visiting UL Lafayette, Schedule of Classes, Academic Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Student Affairs. You can also apply on-line NOW!
For more information contact:
Dr. Durga D. Poudel
Phone: 337 (482-6163)