UG and PG courses in Environment: Where to study, eligibility and job roles

Has Greta Thunberg made a big impression on the way you think about raging environmental issues like global warming and climate change? Then a career in Environment could be perfect for you — it would equip you with skills and knowledge in areas like conservation, sustainability and environmental research promoted by governments and environmental groups.

Environment and its branches

Environment is an interdisciplinary subject that explores the relationship between humans and the environment by combining physical, biological, and information sciences. It investigates the interaction of social, legal, management and scientific aspects of environmental issues.

• The study of the Environment is mainly divided into two interrelated branches called Environmental Studies and Environmental Science.
• Apart from these, there is also another technical branch called Environmental Engineering. Environment Management is also an emerging field of study in this area.

Studying Environment

• You need to clear your Class XII board exams with at least 50% aggregate in any stream with any three subjects from the following — Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Economics and Geography.
• After doing your graduation in Environment, you can either pursue an MSc or MA course in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science or even Environmental Management.
• After completion of your postgraduate studies, you can go for a PhD in research areas like Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecology.

Popular institutes to study Environment:

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi

Course: MSc in Environmental Science.

• Duration: Two years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 60% aggregate in your undergraduate degree in any science discipline to appear for the entrance exam conducted by JNU.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the admission test.
• Click here to know more.

University of Delhi, Delhi

Course: BSc in Environmental Studies.

• Duration: Three years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate in your Class XII board exams.
• Admission: Merit-based.

Course: MSc/MA in Environmental Studies.

• Duration: Two years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 60% marks in your graduation with any science subject, Geography or Economics.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to know more.

Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun

Course: MSc in Environment Management.

• Duration: Two years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 60% marks in your undergraduate degree in any science discipline with Chemistry as a compulsory subject to appear for the FRI entrance exam.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the entrance exam.
• Click here to know more.
  

Fergusson College, Pune

Course: BSc in Environmental Studies.

• Duration: Three years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate in your Class XII board exams.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to know more.

University of Madras, Chennai

Course: BSc in Environmental Studies.

• Duration: Three years.
• Eligibility: You need to clear your Class XII board exams with at least 50% aggregate.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to know more.

Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru

Course: BSc in Environmental Science.

• Duration: Three years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate in your Class XII board exams.
• Admission: Based on the admission test result.
• Click here to know more.

Indian Institute of Environment Management, Mumbai

Course: MSc in Sustainable Development and Environment Management.

• Duration: Two years.
• Eligibility: You need an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies or Science with 50% aggregate to appear for an admission test.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the admission test results and a personal interview.
• Click here to know more.

Popular institutes to study Environment in West Bengal:

Calcutta University, Kolkata

Course: MSc in Environmental Science.

• Duration: Two years.
• Eligibility: You need a minimum of 55% marks in your BSc (Hons) and Chemistry as a subject.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to know more.

Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata

Course: MA in Environmental Studies.

• Duration: Two years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate marks in your undergraduate degree in any discipline.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to know more.

University of Kalyani, Nadia

Course: MSc in Environmental Science.

• Duration: Two years.
• Eligibility: You need at least 50% marks in your undergraduate degree in any science discipline.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to know more.
  

What to do with a degree in Environment

International organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) hire environmentalists for various projects. Disaster management departments of state and central governments also employ these people.

Here’re some of the job roles for those who hold a degree in Environmental Science/Studies:

• Pollution control officer: They analyse the level of pollution and study the related data. They collate their findings in a report and inform the authorities about it.
• Environmental consultant: Their job is to analyse data from specific firms/companies and propose ways to reduce environmental damage.
• Director of waste management: They facilitate waste management methods and technology. These professionals are employed by different government organisations and industries.
• Environment journalist: They cover important environmental news such as new laws and policies, as well as conferences and other environmental programmes.