Environmental Science Degree is very relevant for the current times we are living in. However, if you are on the fence as a student who is looking to pursue a career or degree in this field, it is important to know these things before you actually make a decision. Here is a list of 10 things a student should know before pursuing a degree in Environmental Science:
- Pure Science/Life Sciences Degree: It is not an easy degree by any means however it is very enjoyable once you have developed an interest in the number of various subjects and fields you will be taught in it. However, because it is such a science focused degree, subjects like Chemistry, Biology and even Physics would be a part of your syllabus. Especially Organic and Analytical Chemistry would be used extensively throughout. Check Out: What Subjects Are In BS Environmental Science in Pakistan?
- University Choice: Environmental Science is a multi-disciplinary subject and because of that the subject offered by universities in Pakistan may vary in their syllabus and curriculum significantly. So, in order to have a good foundation in the basic subjects and concepts every university and department differs. Therefore, prospective students should carefully look into and research what university they want to go to. Some subjects to keep in mind are- Laboratory skills/ Analytical Chemistry, Statistics/Biostats and GIS as these are crucial to the field of environmental science. Make sure your chosen department and university have a good module for these subjects and cover them in depth.
Related: Top 12 Environmental Science / Engineering Universities of Pakistan - Know Yourself: As Environmental Science is a very broad degree there are a lot of things you study and a lot of scope for you in the future. However, it is better to know why you want to study this field and what sub-specialty are you most interested in. It could be Toxicology, Wildlife Conservation, Marine Biology or even Geographic Information System Specialists that deal with satellite imagery and data collection for the Earth surface. So you see, if you have a talent for math, you can opt for Environmental Engineering instead, whereas if you feel like your computer and technology skills are better you could opt for GIS at a later stage. In short, there is a little bit of everything in the undergraduate degree in Pakistan for environmental science. And if a students wants to pursue a specialized degree at Masters level that is also possible. Opportunities will arise, in different shapes and different forms but Knowing what you want to do and what this subject is about can greatly help you and ultimately guide you.
- Understand the distinction between Env. Science and Env. Studies: In Pakistan, these two are usually combined in one degree. However, as a student it is important to know the distinction since you will be preparing a lot of your assignments and tasks from on-line sources where these categories are distinct. Env. Science degrees involve climate science, meteorology, water conservation and management, ecology etc. whereas, Env. Studies include economics, environmental law and public health and humanities. But luckily, in Pakistan the environmental degree in most universities offer a good mix of these subjects. Check Out: Environmental Science vs Env Engineering – Which is Better?
- Field Work: This field is quite practical and most subjects would require field work, so unfortunately in Pakistan, these are not as promoted or carried out which is not the case everywhere of course. However, even practical notebook preparations may help you have an idea about how this fields bring different stakeholders together. Especially if you want to research and pursue a job.
- Thesis and Internship Option: Both options would be available to students in this field as research in this field is never ending and at the same time its importance is ever increasing in the current times. Internships are also crucial as the growing demand for green jobs means that in the future there will be need of individuals and experts who can and know how to implement their knowledge and skills at different and almost all industries.
- Environmental Science Scope in Pakistan: All of the above mentioned points above, particularly choosing to study this degree is very different globally than it is in Pakistan. This is because in Pakistan there is typically a culture of choosing Medical and Engineering degrees in favor of anything else as they are considered to be traditionally secure and prestigious degrees.
However, the rest of the world is in dire need of Environmental scientists as well because of the ongoing climate change. So, even if Pakistan does not have promising opportunities immediately, in the future there will be a huge demand for this subject and then students of this field will be lucky to have lots of opportunities. - Avail Internships: One thing that is important for any student who is serious about this subject is to make sure they avail their summer vacations and experience an internship in any sector or local governmental organization such as Provincial Disaster Management Authority or Meteorological Department, in Pakistan. You will gain better insights and experience as well as have clearer understanding after meeting with professionals from your field. Also Check Out: List of Environmental Internships in Pakistan For Students
- Supervisor Selection: When it is the time to choose between Research and Internship and you have opted for Research then the most important thing is the selection of your supervisor. This is the person you are going to spend the next 3-5 months in close proximity and working under them. So select the teacher carefully and make sure they are understanding and allow you good insights on what topic you want to research on and are also supportive. A Supervisor can make or break your Thesis.
- Jobs: In case you have chosen Internship then it is better to start applying to many internship opportunities and gain as much experience as you can during your last 2 years of undergraduate education. This will increase and slightly improve our chances of scoring a better work opportunity and also enhance your skills and polish your knowledge in various fields and branches across industries. Check Out: Possible Careers And Jobs After Environmental Science Degree
Also Check Out Scope of Environmental Science Studies in Pakistan
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