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The Environmental Studies programs strive to increase awareness and appreciation of human connections with the rest of nature and to stimulate advocacy for sustainable behaviors. The curriculum stresses sound interdisciplinary understanding of natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities disciplines in order to explore past, present, and potential ways of living on the earth. We are concerned with environmental issues at local, regional, national, and global levels, and we especially desire to help individuals and communities practice sustainable living by means of our research, teaching, and service. Faculty and students collaborate in active and critical learning through community discourse, personal inquiry, and experiential learning. We intend that our students develop a personal aesthetic awareness of the earth and that they engage in the inquiry, discovery, critical thinking, and debate that characterize the study of environmental issues.

This degree requires a total of 36 graduate credits beyond the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies major. This includes a minimum of 12 thesis/research credits (ENV 510), 2 credits of Graduate Seminar in Environmental Studies/Science (ENV 530; 1 in the fourth and 1 in the fifth year), 3 credits of Research Methods (BIO 503) and up to 19 additional course credits (minimum of 12-course credits). Of the 12-19 additional course credits, at minimum of two classes must be ENV courses. A maximum of 12 course credits can double-count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Program Goals

• Improve the competitiveness of our graduates for jobs and entrance into doctoral programs
• Continue to strengthen and diversify research productivity of faculty
• Attract and retain high achieving students
• Enhance the intellectual community involving faculty and students in our department

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To remain in the M.S. in Environmental Studies and Science program, the student's cumulative graduate GPA must be a minimum of 3.0. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a grade below B- in any course taken for graduate credit will be placed on academic probation.

Program Completion Timeline

Students have a maximum of five years to complete the graduation requirements. After two academic years (fall and spring terms), students who have completed their coursework but are still completing their theses are required to enroll in a minimum of three Thesis credit hours per semester to remain in the program.

Probation/Dismissal

A graduate student whose grade point average (GPA) for any semester falls below 3.0, or whose cumulative grade point average is below 3.0, or who receives a class grade below a B- for any class taken for graduate credit is automatically placed on probation. A student placed on academic probation will be granted one fall or spring semester to raise his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above, will be required to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the semester, and cannot receive a second class grade below B-. Any student who fails to meet these criteria will be considered for dismissal by the School of Marine and Environmental Programs and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

• Demonstrate expertise in their thesis research field
• Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through written and oral presentations
• Demonstrate mastery of the concepts and principals of Environmental Studies/Sciences
• Demonstrate an understanding of research design and have the ability to carry out a research project

Transfer Credit

• Transfer credits will be reviewed and awarded on a case by case basis

Advanced Standing

• No advanced standing available

Experiential Learning

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

Policy Exceptions

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants.
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, individual candidates.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.