M.S. Environmental Science
The master's student develops a graduate program of at least 30 semester hours in consultation with his or her major professor and supervisory committee. The student is expected to actively participate in one or more seminar presentations during their degree.
The supervisory committee should consist of three faculty members. The faculty members must represent two of the three option areas (biological science, social science or physical science). The Major Professor counts as one of these areas. Two colleges must be represented.
The M.S. in Environmental Science has the following requirements:
- Depth requirement: the graduate program is structured around three option areas, biological science, physical science, or social science. A student must complete a minimum of 12 credits (thesis degree) or 15 credits (non-thesis degree) in one of the three option areas;
- Breadth requirement: A student must complete a minimum of 3 credits at the MS level in each of the other two option areas;
- A student must complete one course (3 cr) in appropriate research methods or statistics at the 500 level;
- ENVS 501 (2 cr);
- ENVS 500 (6 cr., thesis degree) or ENVS 599 (3 cr., non-thesis degree). These requirements may be augmented to compensate for undergraduate deficiencies.
Atmospheric Issues
Biodiversity and Evolution
Climate Change
Community and Human Dimensions
Earth Sciences: Cryosphere
Earth Sciences: Geomorphology
Earth Sciences: Hydrology
Earth Sciences: Seismology
Economics
Ecology: Animals & Insects
Ecology: Humans
Ecology: Plants
Energy
Environmental Chemistry and Materials
Environmental Education and Communication
Environmental Epidemiology and Entomology
Environmental Policy, Law, and Regulations
Food and Fiber
Human Health
Modeling, GIS, and Remote Sensing
Waste Management, Reclamation, and Remediation
Water Resources: Drinking Water
Water Resources: Reservoirs, Aquifers, and Rivers
Water Resources: Watershed Management
The thesis degree consists of at least 30 graduate credits, including at least 6 credits and a maximum of 10 credits of thesis and a minimum of 24 credits of course work. For the thesis option, at least 21 credits in the option and supporting area must be at the 500 level, including a minimum of 6 hours of research and thesis (ENVS 500). The non-thesis degree program requires at least 30 graduate credits, including a minimum of 3 credits of ENVS 599 (Non-thesis Master’s Research) and 27 credits of course work. For the non-thesis option, at least 21 credits in the option and supporting area must be at the 500 level. For both thesis and non-thesis options, a student can take up to 9 credits at the 400 level in the option and supporting area (one class can be at the 300 level in a supporting area with committee approval). The thesis or non-thesis research part of the program for each student consists of a substantial project in which the student demonstrates ability to do rigorous independent work.
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