Marine Ecology and Biology
Marine Biologist David Gruber Best Job Ever.mp4Description of Course:
This course is a quarter-long course offered in the Fall and/or Spring for students in the 6th-8th grade. The purpose of the course is to expose the students to the interactions that occur among marine organisms and their surrounding biotic and abiotic features. Students would have an opportunity to learn about the evolutionary characteristics in organisms of the ocean as well.
Scope and Sequence:
The Beach Ecosystem and Tides
In this topic, we will explore the importance of the beach ecosystem to the marine environment, and how tides will affect that ecosystem. We will also talk about the organisms that live there and make everything work.
Salt Marshes
In this topic, we will explore the salt marsh environment, its importance to the marine environment and the organisms that live here.
Coral Reefs
In this topic, we will explore coral reefs and what they mean to our Marine Environment. We will explore how to gauge the health of a coral reef, and even why they are beginning to disappear. We will also talk about the organisms that live there.
The Deep Ocean
In this topic, we will explore what organisms live in the deep ocean, why they can live there, and why so much of it is unexplored.
Real World Applications:
20 Jobs You Can Pursue with an Environmental Science Degree
1. Environmental specialist
National average salary: $28,460 per year
Primary duties: These professionals are responsible for monitoring the impact the environment has on a group of people and uncovering and proposing solutions to environmental issues. They most commonly work in chemical and power plans. They perform samples on food, water, soil or air and implement prevention programs to help minimize environment-related problems.
2. Environmental technician
National average salary: $34,125 per year
Primary duties: Environmental technicians work to identify, assess and prevent various forms of contamination within the environment. They may work in either the field or a lab and often work alongside environmental engineers. Common duties include overseeing waste operations, collection samples and helping to maintain equipment.
3. Environmental science teacher
National average salary: $39,811 per year
Primary duties: Environmental science teachers often teach high school students of various grades about environmental science. Common areas of study that an environmental science teacher may cover in their class include ecology, geology, chemistry and biology.
4. Marine biologist
National average salary: $48,017 per year
Primary duties: A marine biologist is a scientist who focuses on researching life within the ocean. They may also study life in other saltwater areas such as wetlands. They typically observe and collect data, perform experiments and study marine animals and life.
5. Environmental chemist
National average salary: $61,413 per year
Primary duties: Environmental chemists are responsible for collecting and testing soil, air and water samples to determine their quality and how they affect the environment. They may write reports on their findings to share with others. These professionals aim to identify and prevent environmental threats that would affect people, plants and animals.
6. Wildlife biologist
National average salary: $64,119 per year
Primary duties: Wildlife biologists primarily study animals and may assess them in their natural habitat to determine the effect it has on the animals. They also study animal characteristics to classify them and to identify new species.
7. Microbiologist
National average salary: $66,849 per year
Primary duties: Microbiologists typically spend most of their time in a lab performing studies on microorganisms and how they live and thrive in the environment. They may study viruses, fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms and analyze the effects these have on our environment.
8. Environmental consultant
National average salary: $67,580 per year
Primary duties: Environmental consultants offer expert advice to clients in regards to how to manage environmental issues and reduce a company's overall carbon footprint. They may measure a client's current levels of environmental contamination and devise systems for how to eliminate future environmental damage.
9. Environmental scientist
National average salary: $69,869 per year
Primary duties: These professionals work to identify and eliminate various forms of pollution that impact the environment. The goal of an environmental scientist is to improve and protect the health of both humans and the environment.
10. Environmental geologist
National average salary: $70,083 per year
Primary duties: Environmental geologists analyze and collect data related to the geological components of the environment. They may study minerals, soil and groundwater as well as assess industrial work areas such as mining operations.
11. Geographer
National average salary: $72,727 per year
Primary duties: Geographers analyze various aspects of the earth as well as the earth's phenomena. They often use global position systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to collect and display geographic data to assist others.
12. Ecologist
National average salary: $74,247 per year
Primary duties: Ecologists are responsible for studying and assessing ecosystems to determine how humans impact the ecosystems and their environments. An ecologist may work for an environmental or government agency or at an aquarium, museum or zoo.
13. Environmental manager
National average salary: $74,283 per year
Primary duties: An environmental manager is a professional who is responsible for overseeing an organization's compliance with environmental regulations to reduce the company's overall carbon footprint and waste output. Common areas that they analyze include clean water, pollution, air quality and waste as it relates to an organization.
14. Environmental lawyer
National average salary: $74,337 per year
Primary duties: Environmental lawyers are lawyers who specialize in legal aspects pertaining to land, air and water. They may lobby to enact new environmental compliances and laws and to protect ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity. They may represent clients regarding matters such as water law, climate change law and land management.
15. Environmental biologist
National average salary: $75,756 per year
Primary duties: Environmental biologists assess current environmental conditions and determine the impact that various factors are having on the environment. They may collect various samples from the environment to study and analyze and create plans to aid in the protection of various life forms.
16. Environmental engineer
National average salary: $79,617 per year
Primary duties: These professionals are responsible for designing systems that promote environmental protection. Common projects an environmental engineer may work on include systems to convert waste to energy and water reclamation. They may also ensure that various facilities maintain permits and standard operating procedures as they relate to the environment.
17. Environmental health officer
National average salary: $82,879 per year
Primary duties: Environmental health officers work both in the public and private sectors to help maintain proper environmental standards. They may monitor and enforce various environmental and public health standards such as safety at work, pollution control and injury prevention.
18. Meteorologist
National average salary: $85,647 per year
Primary duties: Meteorologists are responsible for analyzing the atmosphere of the earth to predict weather conditions and patterns. They may use various technologies—such as satellites and radars—to obtain and study the climate and weather.
19. Water quality scientist
National average salary: $87,297 per year
Primary duties: Water quality scientists test and analyze water taken from surface water, groundwater and drinking water. They provide solutions for maintaining and improving water quality and report any water quality issues such as pollution. They typically work for the government, non-profit environmental agencies and commercial businesses.
20. Environmental health and safety officer
National average salary: $88,780 per year
Primary duties: Environmental health and safety officers inspect and analyze various processes within a working area that relate to the environment to ensure they meet safety regulations and industry standards. They assess current processes and formulate solutions to maintain and improve the safety and health of customers, employees and the environment.
Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/environmental-science-degree-jobs