Issues and topics
The following is an example of the types of issues and topics students will study within the Environment and Society specialization.
Global challenges
- Global challenges
- Deforestation
- Global climate change
- Pollution
- Ozone depletion
- Desertification
Law and policy issues
- Environmental management
- Legislation
- Conservation
- Socioeconomics
Ecological systems (human-environmental impact)
- Soil degradation
- Landform change
- Hydrology
- Plant distribution
- Climatology
Field research
- Interviews
- Cartography and GIS
- Spatial analysis
History and philosophy
Acquired skill sets
Students can expect to acquire and perform the following skills sets within this specialization. Students also should have a solid background in mathematics and the physical sciences.
- Critical thinking
- Critical writing
- Research
- Strong organizational skills
Technical skills
- Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
- Graphic communication (including map reading and development)
- Graphics and statistical software packages
Career opportunities
Geographers can find career opportunities in many fields both within and outside the field of geography. Below is a partial listing of careers that students within the Environment and Society specialization are well-suited and where previous graduates have found employment.
- Environment analyst
- Planner: transportation, energy, water, hazardous waste, etc.
- Manager/planner for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Flood plain manager
- Environmental policy
- Attorney: environmental law
- Natural hazards specialist
- Cultural ecologist
- Water/air quality specialist
- Government: Natural resources
- Environmental monitor for state health departments
- Location expert
- Business consultant