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The Master of Science in Environmental Science

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30-36 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

The MS degree and PSM option in Environmental Science are available for advanced study in biological, chemical, geoscience, physical, or engineering aspects of environmental science. Prospective students should discuss their interests and goals with the appropriate program Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements in the University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate in one of the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or allied field from a regionally accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. The prospective student must have sufficient background to undertake a graduate program in Environmental Science: one year of mathematics (either one semester of statistics and one semester of calculus or one year of calculus), two semesters of college physics, two semesters of chemistry, and a semester of ecology.  Applicants without a sufficient background may be conditionally admitted, pending the correction of deficiencies as specified by the department.

4. A one-page "Statement of Purpose" that addresses the following questions:

  1. The area of study in which you wish to specialize and why.
  2. The faculty members with whom you would like to conduct research.
  3. Your career goals and plans for the future.
  4. Your special preparation in and fitness for your proposed area of study.
  5. Explanations of any problems or inconsistencies in your records or scores.

5. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination.

6. Submission of two letters of recommendation from individuals who have had a working or academic relationship with you. Letters should address your person characteristics, performance, experience, strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, and professional promise.

7. Applicants for the PSM option will be interviewed before selection. Admittance in the program requires a pre-defined project that is approved by the PSM coordinator. Students from varied academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. It is strongly recommended that applicants have at least one year of professional experience in some discipline of science. Dedicated non-scientists will be required to complete adequate remedial coursework, as specified by the department, before admittance into the program.

8. Acceptance by a faculty mentor in the program who will serve as the thesis or project advisor.

Advancement to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Formation of a graduate committee, consisting of at least two members and including at least one tenured or tenure-track member of the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.

2. Submission of an approved Master's Degree program plan, developed in consultation with the graduate advisory committee.

3. Correction of all deficiencies in background as specified by the department at the time of admission.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Completion of at least 9 units of the approved Master's Degree program plan at the University and completion of any specific course work as specified by the graduate advisory committee.

2. Submission of a thesis proposal or project/internship proposal approved by the graduate advisory committee.

Requirements for the MS in Environmental Science: 30 units

Completion of all requirements as established by the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:

(a) A core of 12-15 units in required courses to include GEOS 600, GEOS 601, GEOS 640, GEOS 660, a 400/500/600-level course in biological science or chemistry and GEOS 630 or GEOS 650. Substitutions for required courses must be taken at Chico and must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

(b) 9-17 units of course work selected from areas such as mathematics, plant science, chemistry, geosciences, geography, political science, engineering, or biological sciences. Selection must be approved by the graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator. Substitutions for required courses must be taken at Chico and must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

(c) 1-6 units of BIOL 699T or GEOS 699T. At least one unit of Master's Thesis (699) is required.

(d) At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.

(e) At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).

(f) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.

(g) At least 9 units completed after advancement to candidacy.

(h) Not more than 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699T); at least 1, but not more than 6, units of Master's Thesis (699T).

2. Completion and final approval of a thesis as specified by the student's graduate advisory committee.

3. Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive final examination (written and/or oral) in the field of study.

4. Approval by the graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Course Requirements for the MS in Environmental Science:

8 units required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, CHEM 112. Recommended: GEOS 516 or GEOS 565.
Prerequisites: MATH 120.

2-4 units selected from:

One 400/500/600-level course in Biological Sciences or Chemistry.

2-3 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

1-6 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags

At least 1 unit of 699T is required.

Select 9-17 units from courses approved by the graduate advisory committee.

Requirements for the MS in Environmental Science:
Professional Science Master's Option: 36 units

Completion of all requirements as established by the graduate advisory committee and the Office of Graduate Studies to include the following.

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 36 units of 400/500/600-level course work as follows:

(a) The following core of 24 units. Substitutions for required courses must be approved by the PSM Graduate Coordinator.

7 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: CHEM 270 or CHEM 320, MATH 120, PHYS 202B. Recommended: BIOL 350 or BIOL 360.
Prerequisites: Completion of three semesters of coursework in either the Environmental Sciences MS program or the proposed PSM option of the Environmental Sciences MS program.
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Note: GEOS 699P must be taken for at least 2 units.

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisite: MGMT 303 or faculty permission.

2 courses selected with advising approval from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: ACCT 202.
Prerequisites: Classified MBA student.
Prerequisite: Classified MBA student.
Prerequisite: Classified MBA student.

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: MATH 120.
Prerequisites: MATH 105, MATH 305, MATH 315, or MATH 350 (only one is required).

(b) 12 units selected from one of the following advising patterns:

Environmental Biotechnology Advising Pattern

12 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: BIOL 409 or CHEM 451.
Prerequisites: BIOL 609.
Prerequisites: BIOL 411 or BIOL 414 or BIOL 416.
Prerequisites: BIOL 611.

Natural Resource Management Advising Pattern

12 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisite: BIOL 350W.
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W or GEOG 444; MATH 314 or MATH 350 or GEOG 315.
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W and a statistics course.
Prerequisites: GEOG 101W; AGRI 331, BIOL 350W, BIOL 414, GEOG 343, GEOG 405S, or PSSC 330.
Prerequisites: CHEM 112, GEOS 315, GEOS 501.
Prerequisites: CHEM 112; GEOS 300W or faculty permission; MATH 120; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C.
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W, MATH 315.
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W, GEOS 380, or instructor consent.
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 315.

Sustainable Development and Technology Advising Pattern

12 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: BIOL 609.
Prerequisites: CIVL 231 or faculty permission; junior standing.
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission.
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission.
Prerequisites: CHEM 112; GEOS 300W or faculty permission; MATH 120; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C.
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, CHEM 112. Recommended: GEOS 516 or GEOS 565.
Prerequisites: GEOS 102, GEOS 203, GEOS 306. For majors in related sciences and technical fields, GEOS 102 only.
Prerequisites: EECE 211, MATH 260. Recommended: MECA 380, MECH 320; either CSCI 111 or MECH 208.
Prerequisites: EECE 211L, MECH 340; EECE 482 or MECA 482 (may be taken concurrently).
Prerequisites: MECH 338.

(d) At least 60 percent of the units required for the degree must be in 600-level courses.

(e) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (597/697) and Master's Project (699P); at least 2, but no more than 6, units of Master's Project (699P).

2. Completion and final approval of a professional internship and project as specified by the student's graduate advisory committee.

3. Approval by the graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Environmental Science students will normally demonstrate their writing proficiency through successful completion of GEOS 600 and GEOS 601, Geosciences Seminar, or an approved substitute.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for new and readmitted students in the master's program in Environmental Science. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.

Catalog Cycle:20