University Catalog

Earth and Environmental Sciences - Graduate Programs

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uta.edu/.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Master's Program Admissions

For unconditional admission a student must meet the following requirements:

For the Environmental Science Options: A B.S. degree in biology, chemistry, geoscience, mathematics, or engineering with the following courses or their equivalent: 1 semester of introductory physics for science majors; 2 semesters of introductory chemistry for science majors; and Calculus I and II. Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in other sciences will also be considered, subject to satisfactory completion of deficiency courses.

For the Geoscience Options: A B.S. degree in an Earth Science discipline with the following courses or their equivalent: Mineralogy, Petrology, Structure, Stratigraphy/sedimentology, Field Geology and Geophysics or Paleontology. In addition, one semester of Biology, Calculus I and II, and a year of Chemistry and Physics is required.

For all Options:

  1. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as calculated by the Graduate School.
  2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are used in conjunction with GPA's. For example a person with a GPA below 3.0 will need a GRE score better than average. Masters students who have succeeded in the Earth and Environmental Science s Program typically score higher than the 60th Percentile on the verbal and quantitative portion of the GRE.
  3. An applicant whose native language is not English must submit a score of at least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, a score of at least 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 40 on the TSE, a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 with sectional scores that meet or exceed 22 for the writing section, 21 for the speaking section, 20 for the reading section, and 16 for the listening section. However, an applicant whose native language is not English with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university is not required to submit a TOEFL, TOEFL iBT,TSE or IELTS score for admission purposes. 
  4. Favorable letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s academic work.

Master's Degree Requirements

Earth and Environmental Sciences Master’s Degree

There are additional requirements for all Master’s programs listed in this CATALOG under University Requirements and Policies.

Environmental Science Thesis Option

Core Courses
General core courses7
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES SEMINAR III
STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
Select one of the following engineering courses3
ENGINEERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PROCESSES II
FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR POLLUTION
Select one of the following science courses3
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS 1
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-CHEMICAL ASPECTS 1
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS 1
Select one of the following in City, or Regional Planning:3
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
TECHNIQUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Electives within one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or Urban and Public Affairs6
Two semesters of GEOL 5199 or EVSE 5199 - Seminar2
EVSE 5698THESIS6
Total Hours30
1

Students with less than 20 undergraduate hours in biology, chemistry, or geology will need to take a third environmental systems course as a deficiency. Students entering with a BS degree in one of these areas must take their two courses in the other areas.

Environmental Science Non-Thesis Option

Core Courses
General core courses7
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES SEMINAR III
STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
Select one of the following engineering courses3
ENGINEERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PROCESSES II
FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR POLLUTION
Select one of the following in science:3
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS 1
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION OF CHEMICAL HAZARDS 1
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS 1
Select one of the following in City and Regional Planning3
LAND USE, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
LAND USE PLANNING AND THE LAW
ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT POLICY & PRACTICE
Electives within one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or Urban and Public Affairs9
EVSE Seminar2
Two semesters of GEOL 5199 or EVSE 5199
EVSE 5395MASTER'S PROJECT3
Successful completion of the Master’s Comprehensive Examination in the final semester
Total Hours30
1

Students with less than 20 undergraduate hours in biology, chemistry, or geology will need to take a third environmental systems course as a deficiency. Students entering with a BS degree in one of these areas must take their two courses in the other areas.

2

Must include at least 6 hours in department(s) outside that in which the first 9 hours of electives are taken.

The Geoscience Thesis Option

Core Courses
GEOL 5454STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS4
Select one of the following in engineering (or advisor approved):3
ENGINEERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
ADVANCED ENGINEERING ECONOMY
take two hours in the following seminar:2
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Advisor Approved Electives15
GEOL 5698THESIS6
Total Hours30

The Geoscience Non-Thesis Option

Core Courses
GEOL 5454STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS4
Select one of the following in engineering (or advisor approved):3
ENGINEERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
ADVANCED ENGINEERING ECONOMY
take two hours in the following seminar:2
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Advisor Approved Electives18
GEOL 5395MASTER'S PROJECT3
Total Hours30

Environmental Science Professional Option

EVSE 5454STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS4
Select one of the following Engineering Courses3
ENGINEERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
ADVANCED ENGINEERING ECONOMY
Select one of the following in science:3
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS 1
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS 1
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION OF CHEMICAL HAZARDS 1
Select one of the following in City and Regional Planning:3
LAND USE, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
LAND USE PLANNING AND THE LAW
ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT POLICY & PRACTICE
Professional Courses
Take each of the following courses:
EVSE 5120ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL MENTORING & BUSINESS ETHICS1
EVSE 5199SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL & EARTH SCIENCES1
EVSE 5115PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE1
or EVSE 6197 RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL & EARTH SCIENCES
EVSE 5395MASTER'S PROJECT3
Other Electives
Electives within one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or Urban and Public Affairs11
Successful completion of the Master's Comprehensive Examination in final semester.
Total Hours30
1

Students with less than 20 undergraduate hours in biology, chemistry, or geology will need to take a third environmental systems course as a deficiency. Students entering with a BS degree in one of these areas must take their two courses in the other areas.

Energy Geoscience Professional Option

Professional Courses8
STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
ENERGY RESOURCES FOR GEOSCIENTISTS
GEOSCIENCE INTERNSHIP
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Electives within one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering19
GEOL 5395MASTER'S PROJECT3
Total Hours30

Dual Degree Program

Dual master’s degrees can be arranged with any suitable program. By participating in a dual degree program, students may apply 6-18 total semester credit hours jointly to meet the requirements of both degrees, thus reducing the total number of hours which would be required to earn both degrees separately. The number of hours which may be jointly applied ranges from six to 18, subject to the approval of Graduate Advisors from both programs. Degree plans, thesis or professional report proposals and programs of work must be approved by Graduate Advisors from both programs. The successful candidate will be awarded both degrees rather than one joint degree.

To participate in the dual degree program, students must make separate application to each program and must submit a separate program of work for each degree. Those interested in the dual degree program should consult the appropriate Graduate Advisors for further information on course requirements. See also the statement on Dual Degree Programs in the general information section of this catalog.

Arrangements to offer a dual degree have already been made between Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Program in City and Regional Planning (M.C.R.P. degree), School of Urban and Public Affairs.

Admission Requirements

For unconditional admission a student must meet the following requirements:

  1. A Masters Degree or at least 30 hours of graduate coursework in environmental science, biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics or engineering. Students with a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, geosciences, biology, chemistry,  mathematics, or engineering will be considered for the B.S. to Ph.D. track if they meet the other requirements for admission to doctoral studies. Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in other sciences will also be considered, subject to satisfactory completion of courses to make up deficiencies.
  2. A  strong quantitative background including courses in differential and integral calculus (i.e., Calculus I and II). Students that have not taken these courses will be expected to complete them during their first year of residence.
  3. A minimum graduate coursework GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as calculated by the Graduate School.
  4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are considered in admission decisions. Doctoral students who have succeeded in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Program typically score higher than the 60th percentile the verbal and the quantitative portion of the GRE.
  5. For applicants whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (or an equivalent score on a computer-based test) or a score of 40 on the Test of Spoken English.
  6. Favorable letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s academic work and/or professional work.
  7. A statement must be submitted to the program detailing the applicant’s specific research interests and identifying the faculty member who is requested as supervisor of the dissertation research.
  8. Students may be considered for unconditional admission if further review of their transcripts, recommendation letters, correspondence or direct interactions with Earth and Environmental Sciences faculty, and statement of research interests indicates that they are qualified to enter the Doctoral Program.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Earth and Environmental Sciences Doctoral Degree

The Doctoral Program provides students with the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to conduct independent research in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Students conduct dissertation research under the supervision of a faculty member in one of the participating departments (Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or Urban and Public Affairs). The supervising professor and a faculty committee assign courses in this primary area of emphasis to support the student’s research and professional goals. To provide interdisciplinary training, additional courses are assigned in a secondary area of emphasis.

If they have not already done so in their previous work, all Doctoral students must take following courses: 

EVSE 5303SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES SEMINAR III3
EVSE 5454STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS4
Select one of the following engineering courses3
ENGINEERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PROCESSES II
FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR POLLUTION
Select one of the following science courses3
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-CHEMICAL ASPECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS-GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS
Select one of the following in City, or Regional Planning:3
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
TECHNIQUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Two semesters of2
SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL & EARTH SCIENCES
TECHNICAL SESSIONS

Students who enter the Doctoral Program with a Master’s degree in a science or engineering field, or with 30 semester hours of graduate coursework, take a Diagnostic Examination In the first year of residence to evaluate this previous work. The student’s supervising committee must approve all courses taken to meet degree requirements.

Students who enter the Doctoral Program with a Bachelor’s degree take 30 semester hours of graduate coursework that includes Engineering, Science and Public Policy courses. These students are encouraged to take the diagnostic exam in their first year of enrollment. The student’s supervising committee must approve all courses taken to meet degree requirements.

Students may choose among any of the five participating units for their primary and secondary areas of emphasis. Course selection within these areas of emphasis is guided by the student’s supervising committee and must result in a cohesive program that supports the dissertation research.

Other requirements include:

  1. Successful completion of the Diagnostic Examination at the end of the first year of residence.
  2. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination, an oral defense of a research proposal to be pursued for the dissertation, and a specialization examination over areas of the student’s proposed research.
  3. Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language or a research tool such as advanced computer skills, statistics, or operations research.
  4. Successful defense of the dissertation and acceptance of the dissertation by the supervising committee.