Masters Degree

Masters Degree Program Courses

The ES graduate Core Courses. The ES graduate core will consist of four new courses, totaling 9 credits.The purpose of the core is to introduce new students to faculty, to give students a sense of programmatic identity, to foster interdisciplinary thinking among students and faculty, to expose students to the breadth of existing environmental science courses, to expose students to a specific area in environmental science, to give students the opportunity for academic exploration, and to teach research skills. The four new courses are:

  1. Environmental Perspectives and Methods ENSC 515 (3 Cr, fall quarter).
  2. Environmental Analysis ENSC 520 (3 Cr, winter quarter).
  3. Research Profiles ENSC 530 (2 Cr, spring quarter).
  4. Joint-Campus Environmental Science Workshop ENSC 540 (1 Cr, spring quarter).

Methods and Numerical Skills Courses. Courses in research methods, experimental design, statistical analysis, and modeling ensure students have sufficient skills for environmental research. six credits of course work is required for the M.S. degree.

ES Areas of Concentration (Tracks). Sets of courses that constitute an area of concentration have been established within the ES Graduate Program to give focus to study and research. Seven areas of concentration have been defined. New areas of concentration can be developed by groups of faculty and students. Areas of concentration consist of at least 15 credits for M.S. students. The areas of concentration that are currently available include:

  1. Ecology
  2. Biogeochemistry
  3. Social Science
  4. Quantitative Analysis
  5. Water Resources
  6. Environmental Education
  7. Professional Master's Degree Program in Environmental Sciences
  8. NEW! Natural Resources

Elective Courses. Elective courses are listed in the student's program of study, and agreed upon by the student and the advising committee. Courses may be selected to provide additional background, to explore new areas, and to add depth to a program.

Thesis or Project. A central purpose of the M.S. degree is to teach students the process of environmental research. A minimum of six credits are required for original research leading to a thesis, or project, that complies with standards established by the Graduate School and the ES Graduate Program.

Other available Environmental Science Graduate Courses:

  1. ENSC 501 Research
  2. ENSC 503 Thesis
  3. ENSC 505 Reading and Conference
  4. ENSC 506 Projects
  5. ENSC 507 Seminar
  6. ENSC 508 Joint-Campus ENSC Workshop
  7. ENSC 599 Selected Topics