The KSU Master's in Environmental Studies program has as its main goal the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge in the interdisciplinary field of environmental studies. The program will broaden the scope of scientific and technological studies of the environment through a multidisciplinary approach based on ecological principles encompassing the social and legal aspects of environmental concerns. The field includes, but is not limited to, studies of toxicology, environmental degradation, population and community ecology, ecological modeling, regional ecology, water and air pollution, waste management, ecological and environmental economics, and aquatic, terrestrial, and wetland systems. The program will emphasize basic research on ecological processes and effects, as well as applied research and teaching, to solve the current environmental issues facing the Commonwealth and the nation.
Global ecological problems will be among the biggest challenges for mankind in the next millennium. Ecological issues, which involve environmental degradation and resource depletion, are often the ultimate cause of economic and political upheaval. It is important to understand the processes and the principles of the environment to be able to deal with these issues. This type of understanding requires research on the problems themselves and on the basic science underlying the problems.
The traditional farming and mining-based economy of Kentucky is changing rapidly. As the work force strives to find alternatives to tobacco farming for people who have depended on such practices for generations, higher education needs to consider not only current job opportunities in technology-oriented sectors but also future job market scenarios. Efficient use of current energy sources and exploration for alternative energy sources will constitute a major segment of the future job opportunities and challenges. Kentucky is blessed with substantial coal reserves. Use of this major domestic energy source in a way that minimizes degradation of land, water, and air quality will require highly trained scientists and engineers as well as graduates with a broad understanding of the complex interrelated issues.
Scientists and professionals are needed who, after achieving a solid disciplinary education in science-related fields as undergraduates, have learned integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to deal with these problems. The KSU MES program is designed to cut across traditional academic disciplines and colleges and to provide sound and effective graduate education and research on these important environmental issues. The degree is a collaborative effort among the Division of Mathematics and Sciences, the Land Grant Program, the Division of Literature, Languages, & Philosophy, and the Whitney Young School of Honors and Liberal Studies. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to provide graduates with the ability to communicate effectively across traditional discipline boundaries, while fully developing specific areas of expertise. The MES degree requires the completion of 36 credit hours, including a 6-credit capstone project. The core curriculum deals with the interaction between environmental science and current environmental issues along with the development of appropriate policy responses. The electives and the capstone project give students the opportunity to develop specialized expertise in their area of interest.
Graduates of the KSU MES program are expected to hold positions as environmental professionals in state and local government agencies and in non-profit and private enterprises. The MES program will produce graduates who can provide critical leadership in improving the overall quality of life for all Kentuckyians as they address the needs and demands of our growing demographics. The program will appeal to students seeking meaningful employment with a commitment to human values and prepare them for a wide range of jobs and leadership opportunities. Some students will use the MES program to prepare for doctoral studies in a variety of related environmental fields.
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