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The Environmental Science 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 thirty-six (36) graduate credits beyond the Bachelor of Science with a major in Environmental Science major. This includes a minimum of twelve (12) credits in ENV 510 – Thesis/Research credits (ENV 510), two (2) credits of Graduate Seminar in Environmental Studies/Science (ENV 530; split between the fourth and the fifth year), three (3) credits of Research Methods (BIO 503) and twelve (12) to nineteen (19) additional course credits, of which a minimum of two (2) classes must be ENV courses. A maximum of twelve (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

*One (1) credit taken in the fourth year and one (1) credit taken in the fifth year.

**Students can combine credits from both ENV 510 and electives in any 500-level or higher course with the prefix ENV, BIO, MAR, or MAF to reach the required seven (7) credits. They do not need to choose one (1) or the other.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To remain in the M.S. in Environmental 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 (5) years to complete the graduation requirements. After two (2) 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 (3) 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 their 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 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 is available.

Experiential Learning

No credit will be 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.