2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Environmental Science and Policy, MS


Banner Code:  SC-MS-EVSPGreen Leaf Program

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.

Four concentrations are available in the master’s program: environmental science and policy, environmental biocomplexity, Earth surface processes and environmental geochemistry, and environmental management. The first three, designed for students who wish to obtain a research oriented master’s degree, 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 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

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, research option preferred, 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 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 would be sufficient background to prepare students without academic training in the natural sciences. These introductory courses would be in addition to the degree requirements listed below.

Degree Requirements


▲ Earth Surface Processes and Environmental Geochemistry Concentration (ESEG)


This concentration provides a specific research focus in the earth science area and is designed for students desiring an MS degree with an earth science geology theme.

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’s policy on master’s thesis committees. 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 to provide a breadth of knowledge appropriate for addressing current environmental and earth science issues. Course selection should support the research component of the student’s degree program.

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 electives to bring the total to 33 credits.

Total: 33 credits


▲ Environmental Biocomplexity Concentration (EVBC)


The environmental biocomplexity concentration is designed for students desiring an MS degree with an environmental biocomplexity theme who wish to obrain a research-oriented master’s degree in population genetics, microbial ecology, and molecular systematics.

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 the university. The program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits distributed in five categories to provide a breadth of knowledge appropriate for addressing current environmental issues. Course selection should support the research component of the student’s degree program.

Students are encouraged to complete at least 1 credit of directed studies (EVPP 693) as a lab rotation to broaden the scope of their experience in the concentration.

Natural Sciences (6 credits)


  • At least 6 credits are required in courses that cover 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, and 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, and 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 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.

Total: 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 will be assigned an advisor on admission. Full-time students can complete this degree in three semesters; part-time students take six semesters. Course work must include the following:

Administration and Policy (12 credits)


Environmental Science (12 credits)


Methods and Statistics (6 credits)


Research/Seminar (4 credits)


Electives


If necessary, students take an elective course to bring the total to 37 credits. Courses are selected from the following list of approved electives. Other courses may be used subject to approval of the program committee.

Total: 37 credits


▲ Environmental Science and Policy Concentration (EVSP)


The environmental science and policy concentration is the largest of the four concentrations and serves as 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.

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 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 four 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.

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. For those students without previous course work in ecology, EVPP 607 is required in addition to 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.

Total: 33 credits