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2014-2015 University Catalog
Environmental Science and Policy, MS
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Banner Code: SC-MS-EVSP
The MS in environmental science and policy meets the increasing need for trained environmental professionals who can address the problems of land and water management, land use and urbanization, wetland loss, microbial ecology, bioremediation, conservation biology, and ecosystem preservation. These professionals will also contribute to the analysis and resolution of global problems, such as deforestation, insufficient world food supplies, acid deposition, population growth and public health, global climate change/warming, and depletion of the stratospheric ozone. Areas of specific departmental focus include ecosystems; conservation; environmental biocomplexity; molecular ecology; sustainability science; environmental policy and management and human/environmental interactions.
Environmental problems are defined in the real world and do not necessarily conform to traditional academic disciplines. As such, solutions require creative combinations of diverse interests and subjects. Effective training requires rigorous, problem-focused interdisciplinary action in a setting in which research is an essential element supporting instruction.
Six concentrations are available in the master’s program: aquatic ecology, environmental science and policy, conservation science and policy, environmental biocomplexity, Earth surface processes and environmental geochemistry, and environmental management. The first four concentrations, designed for students who wish to obtain a research oriented master’s degree, can serve as a training ground for students wishing to further their education by pursuing the PhD in environmental science and public policy at Mason or doctoral programs at other universities. The environmental science and policy concentration is the largest and serves as a home for a broad array of research foci. The conservation science and policy concentration is designed to be an interdisciplinary, research-oriented degree focusing on the conservation of threatened species and habitats, integrating biological sciences and the human dimensions of conservation practice. The environmental biocomplexity concentration is designed for students who wish to obtain a research-oriented master’s degree in population genetics, microbial ecology, and molecular systematics. The concentration in Earth surface processes and environmental geochemistry provides a specific research focus in the Earth science area.
The environmental management concentration serves as a terminal professional master’s degree for individuals working in or aspiring to work as managers in the environmental field in government or private industry. It combines the managerial and administrative skills developed in a traditional master of public administration degree program with the scientific knowledge and understanding normally found in a master of science degree.
This program of study is offered by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy in the College of Science .
This has been designated a Green Leaf program. For further information, please go to Green Leaf Programs and Courses .
Admission Requirements
Persons interested in graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study, as specified in the Admission section of this catalog. Applicants must complete a standard Mason graduate application form, available from the Graduate Admissions Office or on line at admissions.gmu.edu. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.00 in natural or Earth sciences, engineering, resource planning, environmental studies, or a related field with an environmental focus from an accredited institution. Applicants should have taken at least two semesters of chemistry and three semesters of biology, including a course in ecology. Applicants should submit three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a former professor or, if not available, from someone with a PhD. The aptitude portion of the GRE is required, and successful applicants usually have achieved a minimum score of 1,100 for verbal and quantitative combined. Applicants must also submit a statement of interest to the program, which should include the concentration to which they are applying, potential areas of environmental focus and research interest, a statement of interactions with potential faculty advisors, and an explanation of career goals. Prospective students must contact potential faculty advisors appropriate to their interests during the application process. The availability of an advisor in the student’s area of interest is a prerequisite for final admission. Students will choose their research skills option at the time of application but may change this option later with their advisor’s permission.
Applicants who lack the prerequisite college level course work in biology and chemistry should contact the ESP Graduate Coordinator’s office for advice. Successful completion of a two semester sequence of introductory graduate level environmental chemistry and biology courses, offered by the ESP Department, can be used to satisfy the biology and chemistry prerequisites for admission. These introductory courses would be in addition to the degree requirements listed below. |
Degree Requirements
Students will complete 33-37 credits of a concentration according to requirements described below to earn the master’s degree in environmental science and policy. Students must form a supervisory committee and submit a program of study to the Graduate Coordinator for approval within the first 9 credits of course work or by the end of the second semester, whichever comes first. The supervisory committee consists of the advisor and at least two other members, chosen in consultation with the advisor and conforming to Mason policy on master’s thesis committees. Course requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason. The program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits distributed in selected categories to provide a breadth of knowledge appropriate for addressing current environmental issues. Course selection should reflect a coherent individual program focus, which is stated and briefly described in the program of study and support the research component of the student’s degree program and should be developed in close consultation with the advisor and committee members. The advisor and thesis committee approve the course work program individually for each student.
For the concentration in environmental management, there is no supervisory committee. The Graduate Program Director serves as the advisor for students in this concentration. ▲ Aquatic Ecology Concentration (AQEC)
This concentration will provide students with a well-grounded MS in the study of aquatic environments such as lakes, streams, watersheds, and estuaries. Emphasis is placed on food webs, biogeochemical cycles, water quality, habitat characteristics, and life histories of aquatic organisms. Students will become proficient with research tools including literature review, field and laboratory methods, and analytical tools as well as applications to management issues.
Course selection should also support the research component of the student’s degree program and should be developed in close consultation with the advisor and committee members. The advisor and thesis committee approve the course work program individually for each student. Aquatic Science (12 credits)
Public Policy (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required in environmental law, human ecology, environmental ethics, environmental conflict resolution, environmental planning, or public affairs. Aquatic Methods (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required to include statistics, research design, multivariate data analysis (EVPP 651 ), geographic information systems, lab and field classes (EVPP 555 , EVPP 582 , EVPP 647 ). Electives
If necessary, students can take additional electives in consultation with Graduate Program Director to bring the total to 33 credits. ▲ Conservation Science and Policy Concentration (COSP)
This concentration is for students desiring an MS degree with an interdisciplinary approach to the conservation of species and habitats. Students may take courses offered by ESP and other departments on the Fairfax campus as well as CONS courses which are offered through the Smithsonian Mason Global Conservation Studies Program. This unique partnership with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia offers students hands-on education in cutting-edge conservation science and human dimensions through residential, intensive classes. SCBI is renowned for its conservation research and training of conservation practitioners around the world and instructors for these classes are drawn from SCBI’s conservation scientists and other experts from around the world.
Requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason. The program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits distributed in five categories and provides a breadth of knowledge appropriate for addressing current conservation issues. Course selection should support the research component of the student’s degree program developed in close consultation with the advisor and the committee members. The advisor and thesis committee approve the course work program individually for each student. Conservation Science (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required from conservation science courses. Suggested courses include: Conservation Policy and Human Dimensions of Conservation (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required in conservation policy or social science courses. Suggested courses include: Conservation Methods (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required in relevant experimental methods, statistics or conservation techniques courses. Suggested courses include: Seminar (1 credit)
At least 1 credit on an appropriate topic is required. Research (1-6 credits)
This requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways. Students may complete a research project (EVPP 798 ) or produce a formal thesis (EVPP 799 ). The depth and sophistication of the research differs between the two options. The thesis normally involves original research with independent acquisition and interpretation of data, with the goal of peer-reviewed publication. Projects are generally less extensive and can include a broader range of activities.
Students fulfilling the research requirement with EVPP 798 are required to take a comprehensive examination covering knowledge mastered through the program of study, administered by their supervisory committee. Students choosing to do a thesis and completing EVPP 799 will present their results in a public seminar and defend their thesis before their supervisory committee. Students will be graded pass/no credit on the research skills component. Electives
If necessary, students take additional, relevant, elective courses, approved by the supervisory committee to bring the total to 33 credits. ▲ Earth Surface Processes and Environmental Geochemistry Concentration (ESEG)
This concentration offers a specific research focus in the earth science area and is designed for students desiring an MS degree with an earth science geology theme.
Requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason. The program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits distributed in the categories listed below. Course selection should support the research component of the student’s degree program and be developed in close consultation with the advisor and the committee members. The advisor and thesis committee approve the course work program individually for each student. Natural Sciences (16 credits)
- Students select at least one course (totaling 10 of the 16 required credits) from each of the following areas: soils science, hydrogeology, and geochemistry.
The remaining courses (6 credits) may be chosen from a list of applicable EVPP, CHEM, and GEOL graduate courses, including: Public Policy (6 credits)
- At least 6 credits are required in environmental law, human dimension of global change, environmental ethics, human ecology, or planning.
Methods (6 credits)
- At least 6 credits are required in remote sensing, GIS, statistics, instrumentation, or modeling.
Seminar (1 credit)
At least 1 credit on an appropriate topic is required. Research (3 credits)
At least 3 credits of master’s thesis are required for this concentration. Students present their results in a public seminar and defend their thesis before their committee. Students will be graded satisfactory/no credit (S/NC) on the research component. Electives
- If necessary, students take additional elective courses to bring the total to 33 credits.
▲ Environmental Biocomplexity Concentration (EVBC)
The environmental biocomplexity concentration is designed for students desiring an MS degree with an environmental biocomplexity theme encompassing the disciplines of population genetics, microbial ecology, and/or molecular systematics.
Requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason. The program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits distributed in the categories listed below. Course selection should support the research component of the student’s degree program and be developed in close consultation with the advisor and the committee members. The advisor and thesis committee approve the course work program individually for each student.
Students are encouraged to complete at least 1 credit of directed studies (EVPP 693 ) as a laboratory rotation to enhance their mastery of experimental techniques. Natural Sciences (6 credits)
- At least 6 credits are required in courses that can be drawn from offerings in ecology, biogeochemistry, biochemistry, population genetics, molecular biology, molecular systematics, molecular evolution, microbial ecology, microbial diversity, quantitative genetics, and population biology.
Public Policy (6 credits)
- At least 6 credits are required in environmental law, human ecology, environmental ethics, patent law, or legal and ethical issues in science.
Methods and Statistics (9 credits)
- At least 9 credits are required in statistics, bioinformatics, information systems, instrumental analysis, microbiological techniques, molecular methods, or phylogenetic methods.
Seminar (1 credit)
At least 1 credit on an appropriate topic is required. Research (1-6 credits):
This requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways. Students may complete a research project (EVPP 798 ) or produce a formal thesis (EVPP 799 ). The depth and sophistication of the research differs between the two options. The thesis normally involves original research with independent acquisition and interpretation of data, with the goal of peer-reviewed publication. Projects are generally less extensive and can include a broader range of activities. Students will be graded satisfactory/no credit (S/NC) on the research skills component. Project Option
Students fulfilling the research requirement with EVPP 798 are required to take a comprehensive exam covering knowledge mastered through the program of study, administered by their supervisory committee Thesis Option
Students choosing to do a thesis and completing EVPP 799 will present their results in a public seminar and defend their thesis before their supervisory committee. Electives
- If necessary, students take additional electives to bring the total to 33 credits.
▲ Environmental Management Concentration (EVMG)
The environmental management concentration combines the managerial and administrative skills developed in a traditional master of public administration degree program with the scientific knowledge and understanding normally found in a master of science degree.
Students must complete 37 credits for the environmental management concentration. Students in this concentration will be assigned an advisor upon admission. Full-time students can complete this degree in three semesters; part-time students can take six semesters. Course work must include the following: Core Courses (18-19 credits)
Environmental Law (3 credits)
At least 3 credits are required, chosen from the following: Field Ecology (4 credits)
At least 4 credits are required, chosen from the following: Electives (9 credits)
Students may choose 9 credits (or more) to complete 37 credits from the following list of approved electives. Other courses may be used subject to approval of the Graduate Program Director. Total: 37 credits
Note: In special cases, the Graduate Program Director may permit at his or her discretion, the substitution of an alternative course in place of a required one. ▲ Environmental Science and Policy Concentration (EVSP)
The environmental science and policy concentration is a home for a broad array of research foci. It encourages an independent and creative approach to the development of curricula that reside in the general field of environmental science and policy.
Requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason. The program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits distributed in the categories below and provide a breadth of knowledge appropriate for addressing current environmental policy issues. Course selection should support the research component of the student’s degree program and be developed in close consultation with the advisor and the supervisory committee members. The advisor and supervisory committee approve the course work program individually for each student.
Course selection should also support the research component of the student’s degree program and should be developed in close consultation with the advisor and committee members. The advisor and thesis committee approve the course work program individually for each student. Natural Sciences (6 credits)
- At least 6 credits are required in biology, geology, geography, chemistry, or environmental engineering.
is required for those students without previous course work in ecology and can be included within the 6 credits. Public Policy (6 credits)
- At least 6 credits are required in environmental law, human ecology, environmental ethics, planning, or public affairs.
Methods and Statistics (9 credits)
- At least 9 credits are required in statistics, remote sensing, information systems, instrumental analysis, or modeling. A course in statistics is highly recommended.
Seminar (1 credit)
At least 1 credit on an appropriate topic is required. Research (1-6 credits)
This requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways. Students may conduct a project (EVPP 798 ) or produce a formal thesis (EVPP 799 ). The depth and sophistication of the research differs between the two options. The thesis normally involves original research with independent acquisition and interpretation of data, with the goal of peer-reviewed publication. Projects are generally less extensive and can include a broader range of activities. Students will be graded satisfactory/no credit (S/NC) on the research skills component. Project Option
Students fulfilling the research requirement with EVPP 798 are required to take a comprehensive exam administered by their committee. Thesis Option
Students choosing to do a thesis and completing EVPP 799 will present their results in a public seminar and defend their thesis before their committee Electives
- If necessary, students take additional electives to bring the total to 33 credits.
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