Graduate work leading to the Master of Science degree in environmental studies is developed around an interdisciplinary program of coursework and research. The following four areas of concentration constitute the basis of this program:
Biological Sciences with courses selected from biological sciences and environmental and plant biology.
Physical and Earth Sciences with courses selected from chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, geography, geological sciences, industrial and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Environmental Policy and Planning with courses selected from business administration, civil engineering, economics, industrial and systems engineering, geography, and political science.
Environmental Monitoring with courses selected from biological sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental and plant biology, geography, and geological sciences.
Specific requirements for each of the concentration areas are available upon request from the program director.
In addition to conventional programs of study developed around the four areas of concentration, you have the option of pursuing a combined master's degree program. Such a program of study allows you to combine the breadth of environmental studies with the focus of a departmental discipline. Refer to the Degree Requirements section of this catalog, in which university regulations for combined master's degree programs are discussed.
Admission to the graduate program in environmental studies requires an undergraduate degree in one of the following fields: agriculture, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, economics, environmental studies, engineering, forestry, geography, geology, microbiology, zoology, or other cognates. If you lack a suitable background in one of these fields, you may be admitted to the program but will be required to take additional coursework. A transcript of undergraduate work and three letters of recommendation are required with your application for admission. Application for admission to the program may be made at any time. However, to be considered for financial aid you must complete your application by April 1 of the academic year preceding admission.
The minimum undergraduate grade-point average necessary for unconditional admission is 3.00 (of 4.00). If your grade-point average falls between 2.50 and 3.00, you may be admitted on conditional status and must achieve a grade-point average of 3.00 on your first 15 hours of graduate coursework.
You are required to complete at least 45 credit hours of graduate coursework. Of these, at least 12 credits (three courses) will be core courses, and at least 20 additional credits (four to six courses) will be in your area of concentration. The balance of the 45 hours will come from other graduate courses, plus thesis research--at least nine hours for students selecting the thesis option--or nonthesis research--at least three hours of directed study for students selecting the nonthesis option.
The core area course requirement of 12 hours will be satisfied by successful enrollment in GEOG 547 Resource Management, BUSL 570 Environmental Law, and one course from the following group: PBIO 525 Plant Ecology, BIOS 577 Population Ecology, and BIOS 578 Community Ecology.
You will take a written comprehensive examination and an oral examination during your final quarter of study.
658 Environmental Studies Colloquium (2)
Prereq: M.S.E.S. students only. Orientation course primarily for new
students in the M.S.E.S. program. Covers general topics in
curriculum, research, and career planning.
Staff; F, W, Sp.
659 Seminar in Environmental Studies (3)
Prereq: M.S.E.S. students only. Provides forum for discussion and
analysis of contemporary environmental problems. Topics will vary and
depend on interests of seminar students.
Staff.
Return to 1995-1997 Graduate Catalog Table of Contents
University Publications and the Computer Services Center revised this file (http://www.ohiou.edu/~gcat/95-97/area/envstudies.html) April 13, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to "gcat@www.cats.ohiou.edu."