School of Earth, Environment and Society

Program Details | Environmental Science & Management MS

In the Master of Science (MS) program, students complete lab or field thesis research, with the goal of developing original scientific research questions to contribute new knowledge in the form of a MS thesis, likely leading to publication of these new findings. This degree typically is a stepping stone to a more traditional research career pathway.

Requirements

Courses

  • Core courses (one from each core area and selected from program list - 12 credits)
  • ESM 507 Speakers Series Seminar repeated 3 times, 1 credit per term (3 credits)
  • ESM 509 Practicum (1 credit)
  • Quantitative analysis (selected from program list - 4 credits)
  • Area of concentration (12 credits)
  • Elective and supporting courses (4 credits)
  • ESM 503 Thesis (6-12 credits)

Total Credit Hours: 46-52

 

Physical Systems

  • ESM 525 Watershed Hydrology 
  • ESM 527 Watershed Biogeochemistry
  • ESM 558 Snow Hydrology 
  • ESM 560 Air Quality
  • ESM 571 Atmospheric Physics 
  • ESM 579 Fate and Transport of Toxics in the Environment

Core Courses

Ecological Systems

  • ESM 517 Applied Watershed Restoration 
  • ESM 518 Landscape Ecology 
  • ESM 520 Ecological Toxicology 
  • ESM 524 Wetland Ecology 
  • ESM 526 Ecology of Stream & Rivers 
  • ESM 544 Forest Ecology 
  • ESM 575 Limnology & Aquatic Ecology 
  • ESM 580 Coastal Marine Ecology 
  • ESM 585 Ecology & Management of Bio-invasions

 

Environmental Management

  • ESM 516 Ecosystem Restoration 
  • ESM 528 Urban Ecology 
  • ESM 529 Environmental Impact Assessment
  • ESM 535 Natural Resource Policy and Management
  • ESM 540 Ecology & Management of Wildfire
  • ESM 563 Water Quality Policy and Management
  • ESM 564 Climate Adaptation: Managing Risks & Vulnerability
  • ESM 583 Marine Conservation Science & Management
  • ESM 587 Environmental Justice
  • ESM 588 Environmental Sustainability

Quantitative Analysis

A course in an appropriate field of research methods, experimental design, or statistical analysis, is required to ensure students have sufficient skills for environmental research.

Elective Courses

Elective courses are to be defined in the student’s program of study, and agreed upon by the student’s adviser and graduate committee. Courses may be selected to provide additional background, to explore new areas, and to add depth to a scholastic program. 

Students can use professional development courses (e.g. communications; policy, laws and regulations; project management; and professional ethics) to fulfill area of concentration or elective and supporting credits with approval of their graduate committee.

Thesis

A central purpose of the MS degree is to teach students the process of problem solving and research. A minimum of 6 credits is required. Students working toward the MS degree will be required to complete original research leading to a thesis, which complies with standards established by the Graduate School.