Master of Science in Environmental Sciences
Masters of Science In Environmental Science
Openings Available
If you are interested in the Master of Science non-thesis program, there are currently openings with internships available.
The 91制片厂AV 在线看, through its Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, offers an interdisciplinary Master鈥檚 program in Environmental Sciences. Its students focus on understanding how toxins, pollutants, and other stressors affect the health of people, food webs, and ecosystems. Students in this program will learn to:
- Evaluate the impact of toxins, pollutants, and other stressors in the environment
- Perform laboratory and/or field studies to evaluate the impacts of toxins, pollutants, and stressors at a molecular level, as well as in organisms, populations, food webs, ecosystems, and in communities.
- Optimize and/or develop field or laboratory methods to identify and evaluate toxic substances in biota and in the environment
- Evaluate strategies to prevent, mitigate, monitor and/or control and manage toxic substances relevant to environmental and human health
What is Environmental Science?
It has become increasingly evident that future scientists must be capable of working on interdisciplinary teams to address the challenges affecting human and ecosystem health. The urgent need for a well-trained workforce was clearly demonstrated along the northern Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Longer-term changes associated with coastal population growth and the impacts of climate change globally also demand increased focus. A rapidly warming ocean, increased runoff from coastal urban centers, and expanding ranges and frequencies of harmful algal blooms require improved monitoring and development of effective assessment, monitoring, mitigation, and management to these stressors.
Environmental Science is a science based interdisciplinary graduate program. A workforce trained to address problems facing marine and estuarine environments is critical to protecting water quality, sustaining populations of living resources, managing habitats and mitigating the impacts of human activities. A master鈥檚 in environmental sciences prepares scientists to:
- identify and quantify the presence and impacts of pollutants, toxins and mixtures thereof in marine and estuarine waters.
- develop strategies to address the impacts of environmental toxicants and toxins and protect ecosystems, their delivery of critical services, and aquatic and human community health.
- communicate findings and data to stakeholders and policy makers to ensure effective strategies are implemented.
Careers in Environmental Sciences
The program at South is designed to give students the advanced scientific knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce and make an immediate impact. Program graduates will be positioned and qualified to pursue opportunities across multiple employment sectors, including:
- academic research,
- state and federal government research and policy,
- industry,
- non-governmental organizations,
- private consulting
- and/or environmental monitoring,
- or any job requiring an M.S. degree in their original area of concentration.
Alternatively, students may continue their education by pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Sciences or related areas (e.g., Marine Sciences, Biology, Biomedical Sciences).
Requirements
Students entering the program in the fall are encouraged to submit applications by June 1.
Students may also apply for admission during spring and summer.
Early applications and inquiries are welcomed to assist in identification of potential faculty mentors for thesis option.
Students applying to this program must fulfill all the requirements for admission specified by the Graduate School.
Additional requirements include:
1. B.S./B.A. degree from an accredited four-year college or university. The program is designed for graduates holding baccalaureate degrees in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering or related fields.
2. An undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or above is required.
3..The GRE score is not required for admission.
- You may optionally submit your GRE scores if you wish for them to be considered as part of your application to any graduate program, but this is not required.
4..The applicant will also be required to submit:
- A completed application including a 1-2 page statement indicating the
- students interests and
- professional goals
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended
- At least two professional letters of recommendation with current contact information
Foreign applicants must meet all University entrance requirements and meet a minimum TOEFL score of 71 (or equivalent).
More details for foreign applicants can be found here.
Assessment of credentials will be supplemented by evaluation of letters of recommendation and the educational background of the student.
For thesis option only:
To ensure compatibility between the student鈥檚 research interests and faculty expertise, particular attention will be given to the written statement of interest from applicants.
A University faculty member will be asked to act as a 鈥渕entor鈥� for the applicant based on the statement of interest, and if necessary, a follow-up interview. Through this process, the student鈥檚 interests will be matched to the expertise available at the University. Where possible student鈥檚 should contact potential mentors in advance or work with the graduate coordinator to find a potential mentor when applying to the program.
A minimum of two consecutive semesters of full-time study in residence is required.
The residency requirements may be met at the
- 91制片厂AV 在线看,
- the Dauphin Island Sea Lab,
- or the Mitchell Cancer Institute.
All requirements for the MS degree must be completed within (2) years from the date of matriculation for non-thesis option and (3) years for thesis option.
A student who has not satisfactorily completed a MS degree in a (3) three year period must apply for a defined extension to complete the degree. This request must be recommended by:
- a major professor,
- the program coordinator,
- the Director of Graduate Studies,
- and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
If the student does not complete the degree requirements in the defined extension period, the Director of Graduate Studies may recommend, and the Dean of the Graduate School may take, whatever action is necessary up to and including dismissal. Failure to complete the work in the periods specified shall necessitate reevaluation of the student鈥檚 program, and may result in a recommendation of dismissal by the Director of Graduate studies to the graduate Dean.
Choose the Thesis or Non-Thesis Option
Thesis Option RequirementsThe student and their advisory committee will be responsible for designing the curriculum that best fits the student's professional goals. 鈻� Required Courses
For the thesis option, students will be required to take twelve (12) semester hours of core classes including:Graduate course work will be determined by the graduate student鈥檚 advisory committee and approved by the Coordinator.
鈻� Directed Studies
Directed studies conducted under the supervision of a student鈥檚 advisor or an advisory committee member should comprise up to a maximum of six (6) semester hours of credit. These hours are taken to conduct research on a subject identified jointly by the student and the advisory committee. Students will be expected to demonstrate research capability, preferably through the completion of an acceptable written thesis and oral defense of the research. At least six (6) semester hours should be included in the MS degree program of study to meet this thesis requirement. 鈻� Elective Courses
Elective courses should be selected from the recommended list of electives where possible to make up an additional six (6) semester hours of credit towards the degree. This will result in a total of 30 total credit hours.
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Non-Thesis Option RequirementsThis degree program requires completion of prescribed coursework and either a professional internship or a capstone project, not both. 鈻� Required Courses
Students pursuing the non-thesis option must complete 18 semester hours of core coursework.
鈻� Directed Studies
Directed Studies will be taken during the internship or capstone project with six
(6) credit hours maximum.
鈻� Electives
At least six (6) credit hours of graduate courses must be completed through electives
鈻� Capstone
Students must choose between a Capstone Project or Internship Capstone Project 1. Further develop skills and knowledge on a topic in the environmental sciences. Complete under supervision of a faculty mentor and Graduate Coordinator. 2. Written report and formal presentation at Stokes School of Marine an Environmental Sciences in affiliation with interdisciplinary partners, faculty, and students. 鈻� Internship
Students must choose between a Capstone Project or Internship Internship 1. Complete a 6 month internship, working 20 hrs per week for a total of approximately 480 hours of internship in the field of environmental science. 2. Written report and formal presentation at Stokes School of Marine an Environmental Sciences in affiliation with interdisciplinary partners, faculty, and students.
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