Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Environmental Science

Degree Requirements (30 units)

The M.S. in Environmental Science requires completion of 30 units, at least 21 of which must be at the graduate (500-level). Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (grade of B) or better in all courses to satisfy the requirements for the degree. Students may substitute equivalent courses as foundation courses upon approval from the Program Director.

1.) Required Courses (24 units)

BIO 510 Urban Environmental Science (3)
BIO 502 Biostatistics (3)
ANT 555 People, Culture and the Environment (3)
GEO 433 Environmental Analysis (3)
ENV 590 Graduate Seminar (1-3)
ENV 596 Internship in Environmental Science (3-6)
ENV 598 Directed Research (1-3)
ENV 599 Thesis (3)

Note:

For students enrolled in the Thesis and Internship Options, ENV 590 Graduate Seminar (1-3) must be taken at least twice; 1-2 units each
For students enrolled in the Internship Option, ENV 596 Internship in Environmental Science will be repeated to substitute ENV 599 Thesis

2.) Electives (6 units)

In consultation with an academic advisor, each student will select 2 elective courses from the following list. Elective courses will be selected that best suit the academic background and career goals of the student. Other courses may be substituted with the approval of the academic advisor and Program Coordinator.

Biology

Chemistry

CHE 474 Geochemistry (3)

Geography

GEO 405 Advanced Cartography (3)
GEO 408 Remote Sensing and Image Processing (3)
GEO 412 Rivers and Streams (3)
GEO 415 Geographic Information Systems (3)
GEO 416 Earth's Climates (3)
GEO 420 Natural Resources (3)

Geology

EAR 410 Environmental Geology (3)
EAR 460 Global Change (3)
EAR 476 Groundwater (3)

Sociology

SOC 408 Survey Research (3)

3.) Options

1. Thesis

A written thesis, based on an original research project in environmental science, and an oral defense of the thesis are required for completion of the degree.

Each student must select a thesis advisor and two faculty to serve as the graduate thesis committee. When additional expertise is required, a member may be from another institution, but at least two committee members, including the Chair, must be full-time CSUDH faculty.

The student in consultation with his or her major advisor will prepare a research proposal along with a time line to completion. The proposal must outline the problem, its significance, and the methods to be employed to collect and analyze data. The proposal must be approved by the two other members of the thesis committee and submitted to the Program Coordinator.

The thesis will be evaluated on the basis of originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. Upon the completion and acceptance of the thesis, the student and advisor will arrange for an oral defense of the thesis. This ordinarily takes the form of a seminar to which the faculty, students and public are invited to attend.

1. Internship

A culminating report and portfolio are required for completion of the degree.

Each student must obtain faculty approval for each of the internships. Faculty supervisor must be full-time CSUDH faculty, but when additional expertise is required, an additional supervisor may be from another institution or from the part-time faculty. Each internship must focus on the student's intended field of study within the field of Environmental Science and should guide the student to completing a final culminating report.

The student, in consultation with both their faculty advisor and internship supervisor will prepare a final written report detailing skills learned, tasks accomplished, and/or research conducted. The written report must detail environmental methods used during the internship and explain to others how to complete the tasks undertaken.

The culminating written report will be evaluated on the basis of originality, critical independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. Upon completion and acceptance by the faculty advisor, the student is required to present the material at a conference.

For further assistance please see the CSUDH Academic Catalog