Major for future climate scientist?

nycprospie
Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:19:28 +0000

I’m interested in a career researching and fighting against/mitigating the effects of climate change. But I’m at a loss as to what major/academic path to follow to get there. I am very interested in all sides of it–the physics, the bio/chem, the engineering for applied solutions, the environmental science, the geology/earth systems/planetary science, as well as the policy and communications side. I want a strong academic/theoretical foundation but also want to work in the field as an undergrad, and I especially want to travel as much as possible, to glaciers, forests, oceans/reefs. Based on your personal experience/knowledge, where can I best find this balance? A lot of my schools that I’m applying to require you to apply to either their engineering school or their school of natural sciences/arts+sciences. I know prospective students are warned not to think so far ahead because plans and interests change, etc. but friends in the physical sciences have told me how they wouldn’t have been able to fulfill their major requirements had they not known their major early on, esp. in engineering. Thank you for your help!

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