To successfully complete the thesis option, 36 hours of coursework which include nine hours of Research and three hours of Thesis Credit are required. Elective courses and thesis topic must be approved by the student's graduate committee. The purpose of the thesis option is to demonstrate the student's ability to investigate a research topic and report the findings in proper scientific publication style. This enables the student to gain experience in a specific area of environmental science/studies and to report research results in a publishable document. Experience in literature review, experimental design, data collection, record-keeping, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation are obtained by students completing the thesis option. Students who intend to further their graduate education (e.g. obtain a doctoral degree) should choose this option, because doctoral programs often require students to have demonstrated their ability to successfully complete a master's thesis.
To successfully complete the capstone option, 36 hours of coursework which includes six hours of capstone research must be completed. A detailed proposal will be written by the student and approved by the student's committee before the research is performed. Students in the capstone option are required to turn in a capstone paper to their committee in partial fulfillment of their requirements.
Core Courses (Total of 15 credit hours)
ENV 501: Introduction to Environmental Studies
ENV 502: Population and Community Ecology
ENV 503: MES Student Team Project
ENV 509/AQU 509: Biostatistics
ENV 511: Energy and the Environment
Electives (15 credit hours)
ENV 699: Capstone Project (6 credit hours)
Thesis Option
Electives (9 credit hours)
ENV 600: Research (9 credit hours)
ENV 601: Thesis (3 credit hours)
ENV 507: Agroforestry: Local and Global Perspectives
ENV 508: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
ENV 513/AQU 513: Aquatic Ecology
ENV 515: Environmental Ethics
ENV 516: Environmental Justice
ENV 517: Environmental and Resource Economics
ENV 519: Sustainable Agriculture Systems
ENV 525: Organic Agriculture
ENV 535: Urban Agriculture
ENV 540: Ornamental Landscape Plants
ENV 542: Plant Propagation and Plant Production Systems
ENV 545: Molecular Techniques for Environmental and Aquatic Studies
ENV 550: Human Health and Environment
ENV 551: Livestock Production Practices
ENV 555: Food Safety and Microbiology
ENV 560: Agricultural and Environmental Policy
ENV 565: Environmental Law
ENV 585: Special Topics
ENV 589: Remote Sensing of Environment
ENV 595: Environmental Science & Bioremediation
Certificates in the Masters of Environmental Studies Program:
The Masters of Environmental Studies offers three certificate programs to allow students to focus on specific areas of environmental studies which will assist in greater job readiness and competitiveness of students after graduation. These certificates are available to anyone that has a bachelor's degree and wishes additional training as well and can be completed by any student regardless of area of study.
128