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2016-2017 University Catalog
Environmental Science and Policy, MS
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Banner Code: SC-MS-EVSP
College: College of Science
Department: Environmental Science and Policy 
The Environmental Science and Policy, MS 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.
The following concentrations are available in the master’s program: Aquatic Ecology (AQEC), Conservation Science and Policy (COSP), Earth Surface Processes and Environmental Geochemistry (ESEG), Environmental Biocomplexity (EVBC), Environmental Science and Policy (EVSP), Environmental Science Communication (ESCM), and Environmental Management (EVMG). Each concentration’s requirements can be found below.
This has been designated a Green Leaf program. For further information, please visit Green Leaf Programs and Courses .
Admission Requirements
Admission standards and application requirements as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog are required. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.00 in natural or Earth sciences, engineering, resource planning, environmental studies, or a field that leads to an environmental focus.
Applicants should have taken at least two semesters of chemistry and three semesters of biology, including a course in ecology. Applicants who lack this coursework should contact the graduate coordinator’s office for advice. Successful completion of a two-semester sequence of introductory graduate-level environmental chemistry and biology courses 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.
Applicants should submit the following:
- Completed George Mason University Graduate Application.
- 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. Successful applicants usually have achieved a minimum score of 235/336 (70%) for verbal and quantitative combined.
- Statement of interest indicating: desired concentration, potential areas of environmental focus/research interest, interactions with potential faculty advisors, and career goals.
- Contact a potential George Mason faculty advisor (appropriate for research interests). An endorsement letter from the potential advisor must be sent to the Department of Environmental Science and Policy ’s graduate office; the availability of an advisor in the student’s area of interest is a prerequisite for admission.
Course Selections
Some program requirements outlined below may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason. A student’s course selection should reflect a coherent individual program focus, which is stated and briefly described in the program of study. Course selections should also support the research component of the student’s degree program (if applicable) and should be developed in close consultation with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee approves a coursework program (the program of study) individually for each student.
In special cases, the graduate program director may permit the substitution of an alternative course in place of a required one.
Supervisory Committee
Students must form a supervisory committee* and submit a program of study to the graduate coordinator for approval within the first 9 credits of coursework 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 must conform to Mason’s Requirements for Master’s Degrees .
* Students choosing the EVMG concentration are not required to form a supervisory committee.
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▲ Aquatic Ecology Concentration (AQEC)
This concentration will provide students with a well-grounded master’s 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.
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.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
Aquatic Methods (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required to be selected from statistics, research design, multivariate data analysis, geographic information systems, lab and field classes.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
AQEC Concentration Total: 24 credits
▲ Conservation Science and Policy Concentration (COSP)
This concentration is designed to foster an interdisciplinary, research-oriented degree focusing on the conservation of threatened species and habitats, integrating biological sciences and the human dimensions of conservation practice.
Students may take courses offered by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and other departments, including CONS courses which are offered through the Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation . This unique partnership with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) 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 (outlined below) may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason.
Conservation Science (6 credits)
At least 6 credits of conservation science courses are required. 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:
COSP Concentration Total: 18 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 a master’s with an Earth science geology theme.
Requirements (outlined below) may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason.
Natural Sciences (16 credits)
Select at least one course (totaling 10 of the 16 required credits) from each of the following areas: soils science, hydrogeology, and geochemistry. Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
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.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
ESEG Concentration Total: 28 credits
▲ Environmental Biocomplexity Concentration (EVBC)
This concentration is designed for students desiring a master’s with an environmental biocomplexity theme encompassing the disciplines of population genetics, microbial ecology, and/or molecular systematics.
Requirements (outlined below) may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason. 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.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
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.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
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.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
EVBC Concentration Total: 21 credits
▲ Environmental Science and Policy Concentration (EVSP)
The environmental science and policy concentration is the largest within the master’s 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. The concentration’s requirements (outlined below) may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at Mason.
Public Policy (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required in environmental law, human ecology, environmental ethics, planning, or public affairs.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
Methods and Statistics (6 credits)
At least 6 credits are required in statistics, remote sensing, information systems, instrumental analysis, or modeling. A course in statistics is highly recommended.
Visit the Environmental Science and Policy, MS: Course Options section of this catalog for a list of suggested courses.
EVSP Concentration Total: 18 credits
▲ Environmental Science Communication Concentration (ESCM)
A key to environmental action and behavior change is an ability to communicate environmental science and policy. This concentration is for students desiring an MS degree with an interdisciplinary approach to communicating environmental issues and solutions.
Environmental Science (6 credits)
Choose from EVPP graduate courses, suggestions include:
Science Communication (12 credits)
Science Communication (continued)
Choose 6 credits of science communication courses; suggestions include, but are not limited to:
Research Methods (6 credits)
Choose courses in relevant experimental methods, statistics, or communication techniques. Suggested courses include, but are not limited to:
ESCM Concentration Total: 24 credits
Research Requirement (1-6 credits)
The research requirement* may be satisfied in one of two ways: students may complete a research project or they may produce a formal thesis. 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 choosing the EVMG concentration are not required to fulfill the research requirement.
Project Option
Students fulfilling the research requirement with the project option register for EVPP 798 and are required to take a comprehensive examination covering knowledge mastered throughout the program of study. This examination includes both a written and an oral component and is administered by the student’s supervisory committee.
Thesis Option
Students fulfilling the research requirement with the thesis option register for EVPP 799 , 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 requirement.
Seminar Requirement (1 credit)
An appropriate course topic must be taken to in order to fulfill this requirement*.
* Students choosing the EVMG concentration are not required to fulfill this seminar requirement.
Elective Courses (0-13 credits)
If necessary, students take additional elective courses to bring the degree total to 33 credits*. These courses must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee and outlined on the student’s program of study.
* Students choosing the EVMG concentration have a different elective course requirement and a different total credit requirement, outlined below.
▲ Environmental Management Concentration (EVMG)
This 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. It 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.
Students in this concentration have the graduate program director as their advisor upon admission. Full-time students can complete this degree in three semesters; part-time students can take six semesters. The requirements are as follows:
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.
Degree with EVMG Concentration Total: 37 credits
Degree Total: 33 or 37 credits
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