Combine weather patterns, monitoring environmental change, conserving and managing soil and biological organisms, assuring healthy water supplies, and improving environmental quality with the shaping of policy and educating others about the environment.

Career Opportunities

Learn to monitor and predict environmental processes. Choose an emphasis area to prepare for a variety of careers:

• Atmosphere. Become a meteorologist and work for radio and TV stations; help software companies develop new meteorological tools.
• Land & Soil. Learn to collect, analyze and interpret environmental data to implement sustainable conservation and land management.
• Outreach & Education. Develop skills and knowledge to communicate environmental principles and discuss environmental challenges with the public.
• Water. Gain expertise in the area of water resources to engage in solving some of the 21st Century’s most challenging problems: water quality and quantity.

Career Possibilities Include

• Soil Conservationist
• Hydrologist
• Climatologist
• Broadcast Meteorologist
• Environmental Consultant
• Water Quality Specialist
• Environmental Lawyer
• Soil Scientist
• Crop Yield Forecaster
• Land Manager
• Ecologist

Internship & Employment

• USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Council on International Educational Exchange
• Federal Aviation Administration
• GSG Consultants, Inc.
• Professional Environmental Engineers, Inc.
• Trileaf Corporation
• KMIZ
• Department of Natural Resources
• Soil Health Assessment Center
• ABC 57 News
• Kansas State University Research and Extension
• WSIL-TV

Hands-On Learning

As an environmental sciences student, gain field experience through research and internships:

• Learning Labs. In CAFNR, dive into real-world experiences through our on-campus weather station at Sanborn Field, weather lab, research laboratories and at our research centers throughout the state. These opportunities utilize the College’s signature research, education and outreach programs while providing top-quality experience for our students.
• Internships. On-the-job training with private companies or government agencies off-campus will provide you with invaluable real-world experience. Work for environmental consulting firms, state and federal conservation/environmental agencies, the National Weather Service or local radio and TV stations.

Classes You Might Take

• Atmospheric Dynamics
• Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling
• Pollutant Fate and Transport
• Genesis of Soil Landscapes
• Radar Meteorology
• Courses for Environmental Sciences degree

See catalog.missouri.edu for full curriculum

• Emphasis in Atmosphere
• Emphasis in Land and Soil
• Emphasis in Outreach and Education
• Emphasis in Water

Signature Experience

One of the many unique experiences available for environmental sciences students are signature study abroad programs. Study conservation and the rich diversity of terrestrial and marine life during the winter break program to Thailand or learn about water and environmental management through the semester-long program in France!

Download the degree program overview (PDF)

Minors

Environmental Science Minor

Minor requirements for Environmental Sciences

Related Minor

A minor in sustainable agriculture explores creating agricultural systems that produce food in a way that protects the environment and supports healthy communities.

Check out additional minor opportunities

Clubs & Organizations

• Meteorology Club
• Mizzou Storm Chase Team
• Sustain Mizzou
• Soil and Water Conservation Society

Current Student Q&A

Q&A with Lydia Jefferson, environmental sciences