Environmental Sciences, M.S.

(SENVS)

The degree is a thesis/professional (non-thesis) degree requiring 36 hours of graduate credits. For the thesis option, the curricular requirements include:

• 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor degree level; at least half at the 7000 level (excluding thesis hours)
• ENVS 7700 Integrated Environmental Issues (3)
    
• ENVS 7995 Environmental Seminar (1)
    
• Six hours from each of the three priority areas (18 hours)
• An additional three-hour course from a priority area of choice (three hours)
• Five hours of elective coursework, which can be additional coursework taken within or outside the department
  (Note: courses taken outside of the department must have the approval of the student’s advisor committee)
• ENVS 8000 Thesis Research (1-12 per sem.)
    (6 credits required)

The student must complete a thesis and successfully defend the thesis in an oral examination. The thesis must be acceptable in subject matter and exhibit creditable literary workmanship to the satisfaction of the thesis committee and meet with the approval of the Graduate School.

The professional (non-thesis) option provides students with the requisite skills and knowledge to assume professional research and/or managerial positions within public, private, and non-profit organizations facing increasingly complex environmental challenges. The program is designed to emphasize interdisciplinary team research experience and to master skills in data analysis and oral and written communication. The curricular requirements for this option include:

• 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor degree level; at least half at the 7000 level
• ENVS 7700 Integrated Environmental Issues (3)
    
• ENVS 7995 Environmental Seminar (1)
    
• Six hours from each of the three priority areas (18 hours)
• Three hours from a priority area of choice (three hours)
• Eight hours of elective coursework, which can be additional coursework taken within or outside the department
  (Note: courses taken outside of the department must have the approval of the student’s advisor committee)
• Three hours of research based on an internship or a team project (e.g. ENVS 7997, ENVS 7900 )

During the last semester professional M.S. students must successfully complete a written comprehensive exam and deliver an oral presentation of a written research report from the internship or team project, one copy of which must be turned into the academic coordinator prior to graduation. ENVS 7997 must be scheduled for the last semester in which the student is enrolled.