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Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: School of Natural Resources and the Environment

Environmental, Soil and Water Sciences, BS

This major prepares you for careers in areas which safeguard the quality of the environment with a curriculum that focuses on interdisciplinary training in a broad array of environmental protection sciences.

You can work with your adviser to select courses from both the environmental protection electives and the specialization electives that match your interests and career goals.

Recent graduates are employed by municipal, state and federal governmental agencies; consulting firms, especially those specializing in land reclamation, water quality or pest management; and companies associated with natural resource industries.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

This major combines interdisciplinary training in environmental protection sciences with a specialization in either pest management or soil and water conservation.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Environmental Assessment and Reclamation

  • Environmental Microbiology

  • Soil and Water Sciences

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Learn from nationally recognized experts in the fields of mine reclamation and soil and water conservation.
  • Learn in farms and forests, our Research, Education and Outreach Centers, located throughout West Virginia.
  • Work on one of the oldest and largest certified organic university farms in the U.S.
  • Paid laboratory job opportunities provide valuable hands-on training.
  • Small-school environment with all the resources of a large university. You’ll benefit from one-on-one faculty interactions and develop a close relationship with your faculty and peers.
Scholarships

93% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2023-24).

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Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Hydrologists

Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $92,060

Possible job titles include: Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, Research Hydrologist.

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Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $206,420

Possible job titles include: Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), Sustainability Director, Sustainability Manager, Sustainable Design Director.

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Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $136,550

Possible job titles include: Compliance Director, Compliance Manager, Environmental Manager, Environmental Program Manager.

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Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $80,060

Possible job titles include: Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Specialist.

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Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $80,060

Possible job titles include: Climate Analyst, Climate and Energy Program Associate, Environmental Policy Analyst, Policy Analyst.

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Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $80,060

Possible job titles include: Coastal and Estuary Specialist, Habitat Restoration Specialist, Marine Habitat Resources Specialist, Restoration Ecologist.

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Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $80,060

Possible job titles include: Ecologist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Protection Agency Counselor, Research Scientist.

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Geoscientists

Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $99,240

Possible job titles include: Geologist, Geophysicist, Geoscientist, Project Geologist.

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Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $115,440

Possible job titles include: Environmental Economist, Natural Resource Economist, Research Economist, Resource Economist.

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Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $83,910

Possible job titles include: Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Industrial Hygienist, Safety Consultant, Safety Specialist.

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Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Environmental, Soil and Water Sciences major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Environmental, Soil and Water Sciences at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Environmental, Soil and Water Sciences major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Environmental, Soil and Water Sciences can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

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