Environmental Sciences Thesis Program: (30 semester hours)
Non-Thesis Program: (36 semester hours)

Overview

Available on the Master of Science degree

Prerequisites:
Bachelor's degree with a major in Biology or Geology, or the equivalent or a major in one of the other sciences, or engineering, or one of the social sciences. Students with undergraduate preparations different from these will be considered after careful review.

The student must have completed at least one year of biology, one semester of physical geology, one year of chemistry, and one semester of calculus. Satisfactory scores on the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination are required.

Students pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences must complete 30 semester hours with thesis or 36 semester hours without a thesis. These semester hours, thesis or non-thesis, must include nine semester hours with EITHER an ecology OR earth resource emphasis, two semester hours of computer courses, and one hour of seminar. The remainder include 12 semester hours of electives (with thesis) and six semester hours thesis, or 24 semester hours of electives without a thesis. The nine semester hour emphasis courses must be selected from either of the following groups:

Thesis Program: (30 semester hours)

Ecology Emphasis Courses (9 sem hrs)
Biology 50103 - Terrestrial Ecosystems (fall, odd years)
Biology 50313 - Biogeography (spring, odd years)
Biology 50703 - Ecology of Lakes & Streams (spring, even years)
Biology 50713 - Marine Ecology (fall, even years)

OR

Earth Resource Emphasis Courses (9 sem hrs)

Geology 50493 - Hydrology (every fall)
Geology 50712 - Environmental Geology (fall, even years)
Geology 50721 - Geographic Information Systems (fall, even years)
Geology 50731 - Remote Sensing Technology (fall, odd years)
Geology 50741 - Image Processing (fall, odd years)
Geology 50751 - Image Interpretation (fall, odd years)
Geology 50783 - Environmental Chemistry (Spring, odd years)

Computer Courses (0-2 semester hours - can be waived if computer competent)

Proficiency in Macintosh and Windows Computers and Applications (may be fulfilled by course work or waived if competent.
Geology 50901 - Computer Applications in Geology (Macintosh)

Seminar (1 semester hour)

A one semester hour course in which selected topics of major environmental issues will be addressed. Students will receive instruction in how to prepare and present scientific seminars.

Thesis (6 semester hours)

An appropriate research topic should be selected by the end of the student's first year of graduate work.

Electives (12-14 semester hours)

The electives are selected with the approval of the Director and/or the major professor.

Non-Thesis Program: (36 semester hours)

A 36 semester hour Non-Thesis Program M.S. degree is also available. This option requires 24-26 semester hours of electives plus the above requirements.

Administration and Counseling:
An advisory committee of three faculty appointed by the chair of the Departments of Biology and Geology is responsible for evaluating applicants and advising the director of the program. At least one environmental sciences faculty member must be on all graduate committees. Students may obtain counseling and/or information from Dr. Leo Newland, Room 248, Sid W. Richardson Physical Sciences Building, or from the chair of the Department of Biology or Geology. Programs for individual students will be prescribed by personal counseling, taking into account the student's background and objectives.