Environmental Majors at MU (Undergraduate)

There are a number of majors at MU that could lead to environmental careers. You can see some of the options in the list at the bottom of this page.

However, unless you have already done some serious career exploration, it would be a really good idea to go to the careers page first. You may be surprised at the number of ways you can do environmental work.

Once you have setteled on one or more possible careers, and know the best majors to prepare you, you can come back to this page and find out more about a particular major.

You should also keep in mind that no single major can get you ready for everything, so think about possible courses, minors, certificates and volunteer experiences that will expand your experience.

Environmental Studies Major

EMPHASIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES - SPECIAL DEGREE PROGRAMS IN ARTS AND SCIENCES

This degree is a good fit for students interested in acquiring a broad understanding of environmental problems and their underlying causes, so that they can work in the fields of Advocacy and Outreach and Policy and Regulation This degree is offered jointly by Interdisciplinary Studies in Arts and Sciences and Environmental Studies. The degree will be in Interdisciplinary Studies.

For this degree students take an approximately equal number of classes in the natural and applied sciences and in the social and behavioral sciences. In addition, they take an undergraduate seminar focusing on analysis and solution of environmental problems, complete an internship, and do a capstone project analyzing and proposing a solution to a specific problem of their choosing.

Because of the extensive coursework required to get the necessary breadth across the natural and social sciences, students should see the Director of Environmental Studies as soon as possible once they decide to pursue the Emphasis in Environmental Studies.

Environmental Science Major

EMPHASIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - SOIL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES IN NATURAL RESOURCES

This degree is a good fit for students interested in working with water quality issues, soil erosion, and in environmental problems related to the atmosphere - in particular the field of Environmental Engineering and Scientific Services.

For this degree students acquire a broad background in the physical sciences - chemistry, physics, soil and atmospheric sciences, along with courses in the biological sciences and in the social and behavioral sciences.

Because of the extensive coursework required to get the necessary breadth across the sciences, students should make a choice about this degree early in their time at Mizzou. You can get more information about this major in the department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences.

 Other Environmental Majors

Students interested in careers in Environmental Engineering and Scientific Services or with Realistic or Investigative Work Styles should consider a degree in:

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Engineering

Geology - a BS in Geology or a BA in Environmental Geology

Soil , Environmental and Atmospheric Science

 

Students interested in careers in Conservation and Natural Resources or with Realistic or Investigative Work Styles should consider a degree in:

Natural Resources

Fisheries and Wildlife

Forestry

Biology

Students interested in careers in Environmental Education or with Social or Conventional Work Styles should consider a degree in

Education

Parks and Recreation

Certificates and Minors

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE
Students considering careers in Environmental Engineering and Scientific Services, Conservation and Natural Resources or Environmental Education should consider adding the Environmental Studies Certificate to their course of study. The certificate, the equivalent of a minor in Environmental Studies, consists of 15 hours of coursework in the social and behavioral sciences and humanities that complements the major while providing opportunities to identify, analyze and solve environmental problems using an interdisciplinary approach.

Students majoring in the Social and Behavioral Sciences or Humanities can also get a certificate, but one that emphasizes coursework in the natural and applied sciences.

Graduate

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
This program provides graduate students with a comprehensive foundation in the basic theory of population biology, ecological genetics, community ecology, conservation biology ecotoxicology, and statistics along with applied interdisciplinary experience in biology. This theoretical, broad foundation coupled with collaborative research prepares graduates as the future leaders in research as well as service in a broad range of governmental, and foundation positions in conservation-related fields.

RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Graduate studies in Resources and Development (R & D) prepares students for careers in natural resource economics, environmental economics and management, regional and community development, international agriculture and economic development. R & D is one of three thrust area studies in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia: Agribusiness and Agricultural Prices and Policy. Students who complete the program earn a Ph.D. degree in agricultural economics. The curriculum includes foundational courses in economics and institutional theory, statistics, econometrics and research methodology, and specific courses in natural resource and environmental economics, economic development, international ag. development and regional economics.

Majors and Possible Careers

Accounting	Accountant - collect and track data on savings when businesses and communities engage in environmentally friendly practices
Accounting	Business Manager - collect data needed to transform corporate culture so that environmental impacts of products are accounted for
Accounting	Program Manager - manage grants, programs, staff for umbrella environmental organizations
Agriculture Education	Extension Agent - provide information on environmentally sustainable strategies for farming, gardening, home management
Agriculture Education	School Teacher (K-12) - incorporate environmental education into writing, science, social studies and art, to foster understanding of and attachment to nature
Agriculture Education	Environmental Educator - work with government agencies or NGOs to increase environmental awareness and practice
Agriculture Journalism	Extension Agent - provide information on environmentally sustainable strategies for farming, gardening, home management
Agronomy	Agronomist - investigate and test alternative crops and their production
Anthropology	Anthropologist - research cultures and their attitudes towards resources
Art History	Curator - design educational displays, maintain collections
Biochemistry	Biochemist - investigate impacts of pollutants on living systems
Biology	Fisheries Monitor - documents fisheries practices on-board fishing vessels
Biology	Ecologist - monitor animal and plant populations, write species recovery plans, assess human impacts on natural ecosystems
Biology	Environmental Specialist - develop on-site regulations, specifications
Biology	Research Analyst - identify and quantify cause and effect relationships in cases of environmental damage
Biology	Naturalist - provide hands-on experiences in nature for all ages to foster understanding of and attachment to nature
Biology	Horticulturalist - develop and test alternative plant varieties, maintain endangered plant species, historic plant collections or outdoor classrooms
Business Administration	Publicist - prepare and distribute communications for environmental organizations
Business Administration	Business Manager - collect data needed to transform corporate culture so that environmental impacts of products are accounted for
Business Administration	Program Manager - manage grants, programs, staff for umbrella environmental organizations
Business Administration	Accountant - collect and track data on savings when businesses and communities engage in environmentally friendly practices
Business Administration	Entrepreneur - start an environmental business in recycling, energy conservation, alternative energy sources, organic foods, sustainably harvested lumber
Business Administration	Fundraiser - help nature and environmental groups raise funds for research, land purchases, education programs, lobbying
Chemical Engineering	Air Quality Inspector - monitor on-site compliance with environmental regulations
Chemical Engineering	Chemist/Chemical Engineer - develop less polluting industrial processes, and methods for cleaning up toxic waste
Chemical Engineering	Safety Inspector - monitor businesses and communities for accidental releases of toxic materials
Chemical Engineering	Lab Technician - collect and test soil, air, water samples for contaminants
Chemistry	Air Quality Inspector - monitor on-site compliance with environmental regulations
Chemistry	Chemist/Chemical Engineer - develop less polluting industrial processes, and methods for cleaning up toxic waste
Chemistry	Safety Inspector - monitor businesses and communities for accidental releases of toxic materials
Chemistry	Environmental Specialist - develop on-site regulations, specifications
Chemistry	Lab Technician - collect and test soil, air, water samples for contaminants
Civil & Environmental Engineering	Civil Engineer - plan, build and maintain infrastructure to handle traffic, water and solid waste in an environmentally sensitive way
Communications	Publicist - prepare and distribute communications for environmental organizations
Communications	Program Manager - manage grants, programs, staff for umbrella environmental organizations
Communications	Journalist - investigate and report on environmental issues
Communications	Entrepreneur - start an environmental business in recycling, energy conservation, alternative energy sources, organic foods, sustainably harvested lumber
Communications	Fundraiser - help nature and environmental groups raise funds for research, land purchases, education programs, lobbying
Communications	Lobbyist - lobby for more effective environmental laws
Communications	Community Organizer - organize local communities to clean up pollution or protect resources
Economics	Policy Analyst - develop position statements for environmental groups
Education	School Teacher (K-12) - incorporate environmental education into writing, science, social studies and art, to foster understanding of and attachment to nature
Education	School Teacher (K-6) - incorporate environmental education into writing, science, social studies and art, to foster understanding of and attachment to nature
Education	Environmental Educator - work with government agencies or NGOs to increase environmental awareness and practice
Engineering	Tech Support/Sales - sell and provide support for environmentally friendly products
Engineering	Business Manager - collect data needed to transform corporate culture so that environmental impacts of products are accounted for
English	Blogger - compile evidence supported essays about the environment and post them
English	Journalist - investigate and report on environmental issues
English	Writer - write to foster people's understanding of and attachment to nature
English	Documentarian - write, produce, direct, edit and market environmental stories

Environmental Science	Environmental Site Assessor - analyze documents and site characteristics for environmental issues
Environmental Science	Lab Technician - collect and test soil, air, water samples for contaminants
Environmental Science	Environmental Specialist - develop on-site regulations, specifications
Environmental Science, Geology	Watershed Manager - delineate watersheds using physical and biological criteria
Environmental Studies	Entrepreneur - start an environmental business in recycling, energy conservation, alternative energy sources, organic foods, sustainably harvested lumber
Environmental Studies	Fundraiser - help nature and environmental groups raise funds for research, land purchases, education programs, lobbying
Environmental Studies	Lawyer - draft environmental laws, sue polluters, protect natural resources and communities from pollution using the courts
Environmental Studies	Lobbyist - lobby for more effective environmental laws
Environmental Studies	Policy Analyst - develop position statements for environmental groups
Environmental Studies	Community Organizer - organize local communities to clean up pollution or protect resources
Environmental Studies	Environmental Educator - work with government agencies or NGOs to increase environmental awareness and practice
Environmental Studies	Naturalist - provide hands-on experiences in nature for all ages to foster understanding of and attachment to nature
Environmental Studies	Outdoor Recreation Specialist - teach natural history, outdoor skills
Fine Arts	Web Designer - create and maintain websites for environmental organizations
Fine Arts	Photographer - record and distribute images of nature, or human impacts on nature
Fisheries & Wildlife	Fisheries and Wildlife Manager - assess wildlife populations, prepare and implement management plans
Fisheries & Wildlife	Fisheries Stock Assessor - track and measure commercially harvested fish populations
Fisheries & Wildlife	Fisheries Monitor - documents fisheries practices on-board fishing vessels
Fisheries & Wildlife	Ecologist - monitor animal and plant populations, write species recovery plans, assess human impacts on natural ecosystems
Fisheries & Wildlife	Research Analyst - identify and quantify cause and effect relationships in cases of environmental damage
Fisheries & Wildlife	Field Station Manager - maintain and manage field stations, research sites, demonstration farms
Fisheries & Wildlife	Naturalist - provide hands-on experiences in nature for all ages to foster understanding of and attachment to nature
Fisheries & Wildlife	Outdoor Recreation Specialist - teach natural history, outdoor skills
Forestry	Arborist - work for city or public agency managing and protecting trees
Forestry	Field Station Manager - maintain and manage field stations, research sites, demonstration farms
Forestry	Forester - assess forest resources, prepare and implement management plans
Forestry	Ecologist - monitor animal and plant populations, write species recovery plans, assess human impacts on natural ecosystems
Forestry	Research Analyst - identify and quantify cause and effect relationships in cases of environmental damage
Forestry	Naturalist - provide hands-on experiences in nature for all ages to foster understanding of and attachment to nature
Geography	Cartographer - create maps, assist with land use planning
Geography	Urban Planning
Geology	Field Geologist - map critical resources, including ground water
Geology	Geologist - map and assess ground water quality, assist with siting hazardous material storage to minimize failure
History	Politician - pass more effective environmental laws, remove laws that subsidize and/or encourage environmental degradation
History	Lawyer - draft environmental laws, sue polluters, protect natural resources and communities from pollution using the courts
History	Lobbyist - lobby for more effective environmental laws
Horticulture	Landscape Architect - plan, prepare and plant gardens, outdoor classrooms, manage campus grounds
Horticulture	Horticulturalist - develop and test alternative plant varieties, maintain endangered plant species, historic plant collections or outdoor classrooms
Horticulture	Landscape Architect - plan, prepare and plant gardens, outdoor classrooms, manage campus grounds
Horticulture	Arborist - work for city or public agency managing and protecting trees
Human Development	Youth Service Worker - provide hands-on experiences in the community to build understanding of the connections between people and resources
Journalism	Blogger - compile evidence supported essays about the environment and post them
Journalism	Documentarian - write, produce, direct, edit and market environmental stories
Journalism	Journalist - investigate and report on environmental issues
Journalism	Photographer - record and distribute images of nature, or human impacts on nature
Journalism	Writer - write to foster people's understanding of and attachment to nature
Journalism	Web Designer - create and maintain websites for environmental organizations
Marketing	Publicist - prepare and distribute communications for environmental organizations
Marketing	Entrepreneur - start an environmental business in recycling, energy conservation, alternative energy sources, organic foods, sustainably harvested lumber
Marketing	Fundraiser - help nature and environmental groups raise funds for research, land purchases, education programs, lobbying

Marketing	Community Organizer - organize local communities to clean up pollution or protect resources
Parks Recreation & Tourism	Environmental Educator - work with government agencies or NGOs to increase environmental awareness and practice
Parks Recreation & Tourism	Outdoor Recreation Specialist - teach natural history, outdoor skills
Political Science	Politician - pass more effective environmental laws, remove laws that subsidize and/or encourage environmental degradation
Political Science	Lawyer - draft environmental laws, sue polluters, protect natural resources and communities from pollution using the courts
Political Science	Lobbyist - lobby for more effective environmental laws
Political Science	Policy Analyst - develop position statements for environmental groups
Rural Sociology	Community Organizer - organize local communities to clean up pollution or protect resources
Social Work	Youth Service Worker - provide hands-on experiences in the community to build understanding of the connections between people and resources
Soil Science	Watershed Manager - delineate watersheds using physical and biological criteria
Theater	Documentarian - write, produce, direct, edit and market environmental stories