Professional Science Masters (PSM) Degree | Environmental Science

Professional Science Masters (PSM) Degree

PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTERS PROGRAM

The MS degree in Environmental Science as a Professional Science Master's Degree is an interdisciplinary degree with no thesis requirement. It includes rigorous advanced training in environmental science and the development of workplace skills valued by industry, business, government and non-profit sectors. The degree requires 5 hours of required core courses in environmental sciences (section 1, below), 15 hours of elective courses in environmental science chosen in consultation with Environmental faculty advisors from an approved list of science related courses, 12 hours of professional skills-based or "plus" courses in business, writing, communications, public administration or environmental ethics, and a 4-hour internship. Students currently enrolled in the PSM program who wish to switch to the MS or PhD in Environmental Science, or vice versa, must re-apply to the respective program. Follow this link for a flow chart/diagram with more information.

CORE REQUIREMENTS (4 HOURS)
  • Statistics (See options in core course descriptions)
  • BIOL 5860: Biology Seminar
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OR "PLUS" COURSES (12 HOURS)
ELECTIVE COURSES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (15 HOURS)

Courses chosen in consultation with environmental faculty advisor from an approved list of science related courses. Your environmental science electives must also meet the distribution requirements of one course each from 3 of the 5 thematic groups.

INTERNSHIP (4 HOURS)

Four-hour internship to complete a minimum of 36 hours. See Environmental Science PSM Curriculum page for more information.

ANNUAL REVIEW

At the end of each Spring Semester the ES graduate review committee will meet with students to assess their progress through the program. Review information will be used to guide progress and to make recommendations regarding teaching assistant funding (which is ultimately determined through the Department of Biological Science).