PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The graduate program in Environmental Science is designed to help meet the national needs of government, business and industry for professionals in the field of environmental sciences. To this end, the faculty emphasize preparing students for the professional world of environmental science, ecology and natural resources management with a sound scientific technical background based upon contemporary economic and political realities. In doing so, the program enhances the breadth and depth of students' knowledge and experience. Research projects usually address local and regional concerns and provide experience in evaluating issues in a holistic approach. Students will also develop oral and written communication and advocacy skills for assuming leadership roles in a wide variety of interdisciplinary professional settings.
To earn the M.S. degree, students must successfully complete 38 semester hours in the thesis, internship, or learned discourse option with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Core courses (14 hours)
- ESC 502 - Mechanisms in the Environment (3)
- ESC 505 - Biodiversity and Natural Resource Conservation (3)
- ESC 512 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Scientists (3)
- ESC 514 - Environmental Law and Regulations (3)
- ESC 570 - Seminar I (must be taken in the first year of graduate program) (1)
- ESC 571 - Seminar II (must be taken in the first year of graduate program) (1)
Research
- ESC 599r - Master Thesis (6) [For Thesis option]
- or ESC 598r - Internship (6) [For Internship option]
- or ESC 597r - Individual Research (3) [For Learned Dicourse option]
Designated Electives
- 18 hours minimum for thesis and internship option; 21 hours minimum for the learned discourse option
- BIOL 530r - Advanced Topics in Population Ecology (3-4)
- BIOL 532 - Toxicology (3)
- CHEM 512 - Environmental Chemistry (3)
- CHEM 516 - Hazardous and Toxic Wastes(3)
- ECON 527 - Topics in Economics (3)
- ESC 503 - Microbial Ecology (4)
- ESC 504 - Bioremediation (4)
- ESC 506 - Advanced Ecology (3)
- ESC 517 - Advanced Environmental Law (3)
- ESC 518 - Case Studies in Environmental Problems (3)
- ESC 521 - Seminar in Environmental Ethics (3)
- ESC 533 - Environmental Genetics (3)
- ESC 561 - Advanced Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (3-4) [Cross-listed as GEOG 561]
- ESC 565 - Ecological Toxicology and Risk Assessment (3-4)
- BIOL 530r - Population Interactions (Advanced Topics in Population Ecology) (3-4)
- BIOL532 - Toxicology (3)
- CHEM 512 - Environmental Chemistry (3)
- ECON 527 - Topics in Economics (3)
- GEOG 515 - Regional Environmental Management (3)
- GEOG 525 - Regional Land Use and Transportation (3)
- GEOG 560 - Topics in Remote Sensing (3)
- POLS 524 - Public Policy (3)
Internships
An internship normally involves a minimum six-month full time work commitment to an appropriate external sponsoring agency. Students must provide monthly progress reports signed by their supervisor within the agency. The internship provides students with invaluable work experience and professional contact outside the university and additional opportunities to become acquainted with current environmental problems.
