COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver is a 36-credit-hour graduate program designed to provide advanced interdisciplinary training in understanding and addressing environmental systems and challenges. The program offers two distinct pathways: a Thesis track and a Non-Thesis track, allowing students to choose between a research-intensive academic experience and a more course-based professional route depending on their goals. Both tracks are structured to develop strong competencies in environmental science while maintaining flexibility through a combination of core coursework and electives aligned with student interests and career aspirations. Detailed course requirements for each pathway are outlined in official curriculum checklists, and students admitted from Fall 2021 onward must follow the updated curriculum structure, while earlier cohorts may follow either the revised or original plan of study depending on their admission year. The program emphasizes academic planning and adherence to formal graduate procedures, including key milestones such as the Application for Admission to Candidacy, submission of a Diploma Card, and completion of the Request for Graduate Examination or Thesis Defense, each of which must be completed within specific university deadlines. Students are also required to comply with the University of Colorado Denver Graduate School policy that limits the applicability of coursework toward the degree to a maximum of seven years, ensuring that academic knowledge remains current and relevant. In cases where students exceed this time limit due to exceptional circumstances, approval from the Director of Graduate Studies may be required to continue or complete the program. Overall, the MS in Environmental Sciences combines structured academic requirements with flexibility in specialization, while maintaining clear administrative and research milestones to ensure timely and successful degree completion.