Professor Petersen to retire after developing Environmental Science program

The Environmental Science program at FSCJ provides students with an opportunity to help save the environment an work in the great outdoors. The program is designed to provide students with basic skills, knowledge and abilities in the fields of environmental compliance and technology. According to a 2010 U.S. News and World Report study, Environmental Science is one of America's 50 Best Careers.

FSCJ has kept up with the growing demand of educated environmental science technicians through the dedicated work of professor Phil Petersen. Petersen plans to retire this fall, a long journey from when he began his teaching career at FSCJ in 1973. He left the college in1981 to work in the private sector for a chemical company for 20 years, a career path that culminated in him being appointed director of environmental services. Returning to FSCJ in 2002, he was associate dean for five years. During his career, Petersen earned a master's degree in Ecology from Truman State University in Missouri and a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Florida.

The Environmental Science program is an Associate of Science degree and currently has two separate technology tracks to choose from: Hazardous Materials and Environmental Assessment. According to the program description on the college web site, the Hazardous Materials Technology track concentrates on teaching students about federal regulations for hazardous material transportation, the health and safety of workers, environmental protection and concerns about homeland security.

The Environmental Assessment Technology track focuses on the assessment of environmental conditions, pollution sources, and compliance with environmental regulations at the federal, state and local level. Students will learn how to perform laboratory and field tests relevant to environmental monitoring and compliance.

Although this program was already established at the college, Petersen took a hard look at what was currently offered, and, in 2007, he conducted a survey of approximately 60 private and public companies. He asked the companies about their interest in a two-year Environmental Science degree, clarifying which skills set would be most valuable to them.

Based on the results of this survey, he modified the current two-year Hazardous Materials program, rewrote the degree requirements, added the Environmental Assessment track and recruited students. Both tracks added additional field and practical classroom experience as requested by the employers surveyed. He also added an internship based on the potential employer's needs.

Petersen continues to place students with prospective employers for them to complete the internship portion of the program. Patty Crews, professor of Earth and Space Science, said "He does a great job of following through. He matches students interest with potential employers and put a lot of thought into it."

Professor Petersen's enthusiasm for teaching and passion for the program is an inspiration for his students. "After spending some time talking with Professor Petersen, I just knew that this was my calling and it is a decision that I am glad I made. Professor Petersen has a passion for teaching and especially about our environment," said Kirt Brayshaw.

Student Allen Griffin adds, "I can honestly say that he is one of those teachers who's passion and knowledge of a subject inspires not just myself, but any student lucky enough to have had a class with him."

Professor Petersen currently teaches courses in Flora and Fauna and Field Ecology, and will continue to teach field courses as an adjunct instructor after his retirement. "Professor Petersen has been a force behind helping this program grow and flourish. He will be missed," said Brian McDuffie, associate dean of the program.

Professor Petersen summed his life's work up well when he said that he enjoyed teaching students who are not science majors. "Those people know the least about science and have the most to discover. One of the major things I can accomplish as a Professor is that after they leave, they want to continue to learn about science."

So, what can students do with an Environmental Science degree? There are several areas in which this degree would be applicable, such as the fields of eco-tourism, land preservation, hazardous materials, scientific studies, and wetland studies. Go to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website (http://bls.gov) and search "Environmental Science and Protection Technicians" for the most up-to-date information on career opportunities.

If you have a passion for nature and conservation, but need some financial support to be able to pursue your studies. FSCJ provides financial assistance for the program through the National Science Foundation Scholarships, a program which professor Petersen himself went through. Money is available for science, math, technology and engineering. For more information, please visit the program's webpage at http://www.fscj.edu/mydegree/academics/schools/construction-manufacturing-architecture/environmental-science/ or call 904.381.3771.