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Academics

The Environmental Science major is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary education while allowing them to train and conduct research in an area of focus. With over 50 graduate-level courses available, students have the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to meet their academic goals.

Learning Outcomes

All students will demonstrate

  • An ability to identify and develop research problems
  • The capacity to think critically and solve problems
  • An ability to provide a critical review of relevant literature/studies in environmental science that are central to their studies
  • Proficiency in data analysis (e.g., data mining, data synthesis)
  • An aptitude to quantitatively assess and interpret a wide-range of environmental data
  • An ability to effectively communicate research problems and research findings in oral and written forms to both the scientific and lay communities

In addition, PhD students will demonstrate

  • A deep and robust understanding of the relevant literature and problems related to their research
  • A broad understanding of the relevant issues in environmental science and related disciplines
  • An ability to design and conduct independent research that informs decision making

Curriculum Requirements

Master of Science (MS)

Degree requirements: 30 credits | Time-to-degree: 3 years or less

  • Environmental Science courses, including seminar (12 credits)
  • Focus area courses (6 credits)
  • Thesis research (6 credits)
  • Elective courses or research (6 or more credits)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree requirements: 72 credits | Time-to-degree: 5 years or less

  • Environmental Science courses, including seminar (18 credits)
  • Focus area courses (12 credits)
  • Dissertation research (15 credits)
  • Elective courses or research (27 or more credits)

Seminar

Seminar (ENSCI 698) is required of all Environmental Science graduate students. Seminar is offered every spring semester. Students are required to register for seminar every spring throughout their tenure in the program. Seminar credits count towards the required number of Environmental Science credits.

Students in their last semester who plan to graduate and have registered for the exam only, or reduced course load for international students, may receive a waiver. There are other circumstances where a waiver may be granted. Please contact the Program Coordinator (email) for more information.

Public Presentation

All Environmental Science graduate students are required to give a public presentation on their graduate research project prior to completion of their degree. Presentations may take place during the Environmental Science seminar (ENSCI 698) or a separate research seminar associated with the final MS or PhD defense.