The Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science prepares students for environmental science research, doctoral study, community college teaching, and technical positions in universities, industry, or governmental agencies. The degree offers three options: Environmental Biology, Environmental Engineering Science, and Environmental Hydrology. The Environmental Biology Option emphasizes basic research into such areas as conservation, pollution, and global change. Environmental Engineering Science Option treats similar issues (i.e., air, soil, and water pollution and sustainability) from the perspective of engineering solutions. The Environmental Hydrology Option emphasizes fundamental problems of the hydrologic cycle, including water pollution issues, wetlands and watershed hydrology, and hydrologic modeling.

The degree offers two training experiences

• The Professional Experience is designed for students who want to conclude graduate studies with a master’s degree and immediately seek employment in government agencies or industry.
• The Research Experience is designed for students who want to continue on to a doctoral program for further preparation for work in academia, agencies or industry.

Admission to the Program

Applicants must possess a BA or BS degree from an accredited institution in biology, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, geography, geology, or a related field. Applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 90 quarter (60 semester) units who are admitted by the Environmental Science Program are admitted to the degree program in Conditionally Classified standing. Promising applicants with GPAs in the last 90 quarter (60 semester) units between 2.5 and 2.74 may be admitted as Special Action students. Special Action students must achieve an overall grade point average of a B (3.0) for four qualifying courses (approved in advance by the student’s graduate advisor). The qualifying courses should be completed by the end of the second quarter of graduate study. Students accepted with a BA degree may, at the discretion of the Program Director and Primary Advisor, be required to take additional background courses in their first two quarters.

Application Procedures

Separate applications to the University and the Environmental Science program are required. For University application procedures and deadlines, students should follow published guidelines available in the University catalog and on the University website. Applications to the Environmental Science program (available in the Geosciences and Environment Department office) together with transcripts of all previous college work and three letters of recommendation must be received by the Department of Geosciences and Environment prior to the following deadlines:

• March 15 for admission to Fall Quarter
• January 1 for admission to Spring Quarter

Applications will be reviewed by University Admissions and the Environmental Science Program.

Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the program.