University Catalog

Earth and Environmental Sciences - Graduate

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

Foundations
EVSE 5454STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS4
Select one of the following engineering courses3
ENGINEERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
ADVANCED ENGINEERING ECONOMY
For science, select any 5000-level EVSE or GEOL course except 5000-level EVSE or GEOL research credits3
For City and Regional Planning select any 5000-level PLAN course3
Specialization
EVSE 5120ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL MENTORING & BUSINESS ETHICS1
EVSE 5199SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL & EARTH SCIENCES1
EVSE 5115PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE1
or EVSE 6197 RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL & EARTH SCIENCES
Electives
Select 11 hours from one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or Urban and Public Affairs11
EVSE 5395MASTER'S PROJECT3
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

Foundations
GEOL 5454STATISTICS FOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS4
GEOL 5351SUSTAINABLE ENERGY RESOURCES3
GEOL 5190GEOSCIENCE INTERNSHIP1
or GEOL 5199 TECHNICAL SESSIONS
IE 5304ADVANCED ENGINEERING ECONOMY3
Specialization
Select 13 hours from one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Civil and Environmental Engineering13
Select thesis or non-thesis option 6
Non-thesis option
Select an additional advisor-approved course
MASTER'S PROJECT
Thesis option
THESIS
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 segree or at least 30 hours of graduate coursework in environmental science, biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics or engineering.
  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 and have not completed a Bachelors degree at a US institution, they must meet the following minimums: TOEFL iBT (minimum 81 overall, with sectional scores of at least 22 writing, 23 speaking, 20 reading, or 16 listening) or IELTS (minimum overall band of 6.5, with a speaking score of 7.0). 
  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.
  1.  

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Earth and Environmental Sciences Doctoral Degree

Foundations
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 3 hours in EVSE or GEOL at the 5000 level3
Select 3 hours in PLAN at the 5000 level3
Select two semesters of:2
SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL & EARTH SCIENCES
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Select 6 hours in EVSE, GEOL, CE, PLAN, or BIOL at the 5000/6000 level6
Dissertation
Select at least 9 hours from:9
DISSERTATION
DISSERTATION
DISSERTATION
DOCTORAL DEGREE COMPLETION
Total Hours30

Students who enter 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. Students take their comprehensive exam in the third year of residence. Dissertation hours and doctoral degree completion course are taken after passing the comprehensive exam. 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.