Graduate Program Components

Master’s in Environmental Science

Environmental Science Master’s students must complete a total of 38 credits.  Of this total, 18 credits correspond to core courses, 6 credits in emphasis areas, 2 credits to a graduate seminar, 6 credits to elective courses, and 6 credits to graduate research leading towards a Master’s thesis.

Distribution by area – Masters

Credits

Percent

Core courses

18

47%

Emphasis areas

6

16%

Graduate seminar

2

5%

Elective courses

6

16%

Graduate research

6

16%

38

100%

Students must also approve and defend their thesis proposal, and present and defend a Master’s thesis.  In order to follow up on student academic and research progress, until the student selects a thesis supervisor, the Program Coordinator will serve as a mentor and will meet with the students at least twice per semester.

Doctorate in Environmental Science

Environmental Science Doctoral students must complete a total of 60 credits.  Of this total, 18 credits correspond to core courses, 9 credits to emphasis areas, 2 credits to a graduate seminar, 4 credits in an emphasis seminar, 9 credits to elective courses, and 18 credits to graduate research leading towards a Doctoral thesis.

Distribution by area – Doctorate

Credits

Percent

Core courses

18

30%

Emphasis areas

9

15%

Graduate seminar

2

3%

Emphasis seminar

4

7%

Elective courses

9

15%

Graduate research

18

30%

60

100%

Students must also present a graduate seminar, approve parts A and B of the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program qualifying exams, present and defend their thesis research proposal, present and defend an original research proposal in their emphasis area, and present and defend a Doctoral dissertation.  In order to follow up on student academic and research progress, until the student selects a thesis supervisor, the Program Coordinator will serve as a mentor and will meet with the students at least twice per semester.