Distance Learning Course Programs Move Grads With Their Degree In Environmental Management Into Careers In Green Technologies
Food science is such a wide field to study; it has split into many subcategories. While at their core they have a number of things in common, when one gets to post-graduate work, one is forced to pick one particular arena over the other. The three main specializations are Soil, Plant and Animal Scientists.
All three disciplines have one goal in common; to improve the knowledge of food production. They usually work for food corporations, institutes of higher learning or some form of government. Some food scientists engage in basic research, discovering new food sources. Others analyze food to determine the nutritional levels and to determine harmful or undesirable additives. They also develop ways to process, package and store food according to industry and government regulations. Some even do research into cooking and preparation. Many also work hand in hand with environmental scientists these days.
As for the various specialties, the soil scientist studies the earth in regards to plant growth. Among the targets of their research is optimizing crop rotation, surveying land for what crops it will best yield, soil erosion and similar themes. Because soil science is closely related to environmental science, persons trained in soil science also work to ensure environmental quality and effective land use.
As soil scientists concentrate on the earth, plant scientists concentrate on vegetation. Also called agronomists or crop scientists, these specialists concentrate on such things as increasing crop yield, improving the nutritional value of various plants, plant diseases and similarly related matters. These days they are actually going old school, re-examining the works of Darwin and Mendel regarding the work of those pioneers on plant genetics. They are also quite cutting edge, examining how biotechnology can improve plants.
This leaves animal scientists, who focus on everything that sits on the top of the food pyramid. It should be noted they are not veterinarians, but disease is part of their milieu. They also look at such things as the effect of steroids on not only yield, but effects on consumption, genetics, breeding and often are also employed as health and farm inspectors.
Those interested in pursuing any of these specialties should first do their research regarding what college they want to attend. As it happens, the bachelor programs at all these institutions, whether brick and mortar or online, are pretty much the same. It’s when one goes on to specialize in their masters and beyond that it might be a good idea to talk to a career counselor. Find a university where one can tailor a six year program, replete with financial aid, and you’ll have a better time of it.
Salaries are dependent on which of the three disciplines one specializes in, as well as whether one works in the public or private sector. Soil and plant scientists working for the government average just under $80,000 a year. Animal scientists, in the same arena, do slightly under $105,000. By comparison, when it’s in the private sector, animal scientists earned slightly over $55,000 and plant and soil do slightly over $58,000.
It should always be remembered that even though the specializations are different, all are considered food scientists. Many students with their environmental management degree will move into other green tech fields and accredited degree online programs will provide the tools they need to succeed.
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