ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING?

Environmental engineering or environmental sciences?

• i'm goig to MSU and want to major in somehing that will allow me to help the environment. i was doing environmental engineering, but I'm not sure if that would keep me in the lab all day and I'm not the best at math and physics-- i am academic but they are not my strongest areas of expertise. my question is, can i still be a successful environmental engineer? is environmental engineering a job where you can really get out and help the environment or is it aimply a job in a lab? i don't really want to get a major in environmental studies because it's pretty general and i actually want to help clean up the earth, but would hat be better? thank you for the help!

• Answer:

  To start, thank you for your interest in helping the earth. Second, when it comes to something as important as life changing decision, you want to consult with academic advisors on campus, heads of campus departments, as well as department advisors and career consultants. Knowing the answer to your particular question is a part of their job. I am not any of the above but I will do my best here. Nevertheless, you still need to consult with them in the end. Any of Environmental Studies (BA), Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering can have more impact than the rest depending on how you use it. Remember that David Suzuki is an environmental scientist and NOT an engineer, yet look at the impact he is having. If you want to have a faster and hands-on impact, then go for Engineering. If you want to be the first to find a new scientific discovery that can be used to clean up the environment, then go for Environmental Sciences. The latter will give you the opportunity to make breakthroughs that can revolutionize how science and engineering will be done. A scientist can have a less impact than an engineer can but the direct and tangible impacts of a scientist can never be downplayed or underestimated and will always have a significantly high regard. An example of how environmental science can be more rewarding than engineering: The ocean is the true last frontier (not space). When it comes to deep ocean exploration, ocean scientists depend on ocean engineers to construct the machines that are used to map deep sea floor. However it the scientists and not the engineers that will make all the discoveries. They get to analyze the new findings such as new species or new rocks. Another example: On May 6, 2010 Congress held a hearing on climate change, no environmental engineers were present. Only scientists were present to represent the pro climate change side. When it comes to fixing environmental problems, the science is already here. We already have the science/engineering knowledge that we need to fix the earth's ecology. What is missing is the political will. We need to look at the environmental issues/solutions from all perspectives. This includes, but is not limited to, social, historical, political, ethnoecological (how locals perceive their environment and their ecological processes) and scientific perspectives. This is where a BA in environmental studies (it will include some science) comes in. Having said that, if you want to have a government position where you can make decision regarding the environment (ie someone who can approve or disapprove a development project), you will need to have a master's degree in environmental studies. You will have a hard time finding a job with just a BA in Environmental studies unless you have a loaded resume. I take it you are more ambitious than that, so if you decide to go for a BA in environmental studies, then get a masters. Conclusion: To the best of my knowledge, the best option for you is Environmental Engineering.