COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary graduate program that combines environmental science, ecology, geology, environmental law, data analysis, and applied research to prepare students for careers in environmental management, conservation, sustainability, environmental consulting, and scientific research. The program begins with core courses that provide students with a strong scientific and analytical foundation in environmental systems and policy. Required courses include Environmental Law and Legislation or Marine and Coastal Law, Scientific Literature and Proposal Writing, Environmental Geoscience with Laboratory, Ecological Applications in Environmental Science with Laboratory, and Data Analysis in the Environmental and Biological Sciences. These courses help students develop expertise in environmental regulations, scientific communication, ecological analysis, geoscience applications, laboratory methods, and statistical data interpretation. Students may then pursue one of several concentration areas for the elective portion of the degree, including Environmental Ecology, Environmental Geoscience, Environmental Health and Management, Geographical Information Systems and Applications, or Marine Biology. Each concentration is supervised by a faculty advisor who assists students in selecting appropriate electives and designing an individualized academic plan. Concentrations require 21 to 23 additional credits beyond the core courses, while students who do not choose a concentration work with the program coordinator to create a customized interdisciplinary study plan. The program also includes a capstone requirement, which students complete through one of three pathways: an Internship, a Research Project, or a Thesis sequence consisting of Thesis I and Thesis II. These capstone experiences provide practical research, field, or professional training opportunities aligned with students’ academic and career goals. A broad range of elective courses allows students to specialize in topics such as oceanography, marine biology, marine pollution, conservation and restoration, wetlands ecology, environmental health, environmental risk assessment, landscape ecology, field geology, aquaculture, environmental microbiology, GIS applications, environmental impact assessment, and environmental education. Many courses include laboratory sessions, fieldwork, or applied scientific training, helping students gain hands-on experience in environmental analysis and problem solving. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in environmental consulting, ecological research, conservation management, GIS analysis, environmental health, marine science, environmental policy, sustainability planning, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and doctoral-level study in environmental and related sciences.