Environmental Studies | University of South Carolina-Columbia

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 19-4042.00

Skills

Reading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningWritingCritical ThinkingMonitoringScienceComplex Problem Solving

Knowledge

Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageChemistryBiologyLaw and Government

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningNear VisionProblem SensitivityInductive ReasoningSpeech ClaritySpeech Recognition

Tasks

Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests
Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting sam
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.

Technology

Document management softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information system

Tools

35 millimeter camerasAir current test kitsAir monitoring equipmentAir sampling impingersAir sampling primary flow calibratorsArea sampling pumpsAutoclavesBinocular light compound microscopesBioaerosol impactorsBladder water sampling pumpsCO2 monitorsCarbon monoxide monitorsCarpet sampling pump kitsCentrifugal water sampling pumpsCentrifuges

Work Values

AchievementSupportRelationshipsRecognitionIndependenceWorking Conditions

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium19-4042.00	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	title_inference	$49,490 median$85,630 top	+4.21%	160

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: proficient (Level 3)(based on Bachelor's Degree)

Complex pollution source investigation — autonomously design and execute sampling strategies for multi-pollutant field investigations, including hazardous spills and disease outbreaks, across varied environmental media.
Advanced instrumental analysis — select, calibrate, and troubleshoot a full suite of analytical instruments and software to quantify trace-level contaminants in non-routine or ambiguous sample matrices.
Critical data interpretation — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to evaluate anomalous test data, identify pollution patterns, and draw defensible scientific conclusions without supervisory input.
Comprehensive technical reporting — author detailed environmental assessment reports and regulatory submissions that synthesize complex test results, risk analyses, and remediation recommendations for regulatory agencies.
Full-scope workplace health assessment — independently conduct comprehensive health and safety audits of complex industrial environments, evaluating interacting hazards such as chemical exposure, radiation, and ergonomic risks.
Regulatory and legal navigation — interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental law and government regulations to determine compliance status and advise facility managers on corrective obligations.
Systems analysis of environmental risk — evaluate interconnected environmental and public health systems to identify root causes of contamination and assess downstream community health impacts.
CAD and spatial modeling — use CAD and GIS software to develop site maps and spatial models that illustrate contaminant distribution and guide remediation planning.
Stakeholder technical consultation — lead detailed technical briefings with customers, regulatory officials, and community representatives, translating complex analytical findings into actionable guidance.
Mentored field and lab training — guide junior technicians through sample collection, instrument operation, and data analysis procedures, providing structured feedback to build independent competency.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.