Environmental Science (MS)
Master of Science in Environmental Science
The Master of Science degree in Environmental Science (thesis) is awarded in recognition of a student’s demonstrated ability to successfully complete a prescribed program of courses and original scholarly research. Original scholarly research will be evaluated based on a student’s ability to write and defend an acceptable research thesis.
An alternative professional track, which is a non-thesis option, for the Master of Science in Environmental Science is also available that emphasizes professional development. This degree program requires completion of prescribed coursework and either a professional traineeship or capstone project.
Degree Requirements
Required Credit
A minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of course credit beyond the baccalaureate degree is required for students pursuing this MS degree.
Residence, Full-Time Study, and Continuous Registration
A minimum of two consecutive semesters of fulltime study in residence is required. The residency requirements may be met at the University of South Alabama, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, or the Mitchell Cancer Institute.
Time Limit
All requirements for the MS degree must be completed within (2) years from the date of matriculation. 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 Graduate 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’s program, and may result in a recommendation of dismissal by the Director of Graduate studies to the graduate Dean.
For the thesis option, students will be required to take twelve (12) semester hours of core classes including Environmental Chemistry (CH 514 and CH 514L); Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health (EXT 515); and Environmental Statistics (ST 550) plus a Research Integrity Seminar (GIS 501) or equivalent substitution approved by the Graduate Coordinator. Additional coursework will be determined by the student’s advisory committee and approved by the Graduate Coordinator. Elective courses should be selected from the recommended list of electives where possible (see below) to make up an additional six (6) semester hours of credit towards the degree. Directed studies conducted under the supervision of a student’s advisor or an advisory committee member should comprise up to six (6) semester hours of credit. Lastly, 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.
For the non-thesis option, students will be required to take eight (8) semester hours of core classes (2 of 4 options) including Environmental Chemistry (CH 514 and CH 514L); Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health (EXT 515); Intro to GIT (GIT 560); and Environmental Policy (ENS 521). Additional coursework will be determined based on professional goals and approved by the Environmental Science Graduate Coordinator. Elective courses should be selected from the recommended list of electives where possible (see below) to make up an additional sixteen (16) semester hours of credit towards the degree. Directed studies conducted under the Graduate Coordinator should comprise up to six (6) semester hours of credit to allow completion of an internship or capstone project.
Course Requirements (Thesis)
The student and their advisory committee (where applicable) will be responsible for designing the curriculum that best fits the student's professional goals. If, in the opinion of the student's committee or Graduate Coordinator, the student lacks adequate undergraduate preparation, the student will be required to make up such deficiencies.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 12 | |
| Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health | ||
| Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry Lab | ||
| Environmental Statistics | ||
| Responsible Conduct of Researc | ||
| Directed Studies (maximum) | 6 | |
| Thesis hours (maximum) | 6 | |
| Thesis hours are taken to conduct research on a subject identified jointly by the student and the Advisory Committee. | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
| Select at least six hours of graduate courses, for example | ||
| Intro to GIT | ||
| Fundamentals Environmental Eng | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Marine Ecosystem Modelling | ||
| Biometry | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Environmental Policy | ||
| Molecular-Cellular Toxicology | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Biological Wastewater Treatment | ||
| Hydrodynamic Modeling | ||
| Environmental GIS | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Marine Restoration Ecology | ||
| Advanced Marine Ecology | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Physical Oceanography | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Course Requirements (Non-Thesis)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (Take 2 of 4) | 8 | |
| Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health | ||
| Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry Lab | ||
| Intro to GIT | ||
| Environmental Policy | ||
| Directed Studies (maximum) | 6 | |
| Directed Studies will be taken during the internship or capstone project. | ||
| Electives | 16 | |
| Select at least sixteen hours of graduate courses, for example | ||
| Physical Oceanography | ||
| Marine Ecosystem Modelling | ||
| Biometry | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Environmental Policy | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Biological Wastewater Treatment | ||
| Environmental GIS | ||
| Advanced Marine Ecology | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Marine Restoration Ecology | ||
| Fundamentals Environmental Eng | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Molecular-Cellular Toxicology | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
For the professional track (non-thesis option), a key element of the program is of the program is participation in a professional internship or the completion of a capstone project. Students will do either an internship or capstone, but not both. The requirements for these options are below.
- To fulfill the requirements of the program by performing an internship, a student must perform an internship of approximately 6-month duration working 20 hours a week (approximately 480 hours of internship) in the field of environmental sciences. The internship shall result in a written report and a formal presentation at the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences in affiliation with interdisciplinary partners, faculty, and students.
- In some cases, students may opt for a capstone project in lieu of the internship. A capstone project provides an opportunity to further develop skills and knowledge on a topic in the environmental sciences. A capstone project would be completed under the supervision of a faculty mentor and program coordinator. The capstone project shall result in a written report and a formal presentation at the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences in affiliation with interdisciplinary partners, faculty, and students.