THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units
Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer credit may be applied toward the degree. 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 "Graduate Education" in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.
The MS degree in Environmental Science is available for advanced study in biological, chemical, or geoscience aspects of environmental science, as well as environmental policy and planning. Prospective students should discuss their interests and goals with the Department of Geological and Environmental Studies Graduate Coordinator.
Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:
1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in "Admission to Master's Degree Programs" in The University Catalog.
2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.
3. An acceptable baccalaureate in one of the natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics from an 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: mathematics (one semester of statistics and one year of calculus), two semesters of college physics, two semesters of chemistry, and a semester of ecology.
Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:
In addition to any requirements listed above:
1. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test with a minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative portions. 2. Formation of a graduate advisory committee. 3. Development of an approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee.
Advancement to Candidacy:
In addition to any requirements listed above:
Students must have classified graduate standing and must have completed at least 9 units of the proposed program at the university.
Requirements for the MS in Environmental Science:
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, 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. (c) 1-6 units of BIOL 699T or CHEM 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) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension or Open University credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable). (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 Departmental Graduate Committee and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.
Course Requirements for the MS in Environmental Science:
8 units required:| GEOS | 600 | Geosciences Seminar I | 1.0 | FA |
| GEOS | 601 | Geosciences Seminar II | 1.0 | SP |
| GEOS | 640 | Hydrogeochemistry | 3.0 | SP |
| GEOS | 660 | Numerical Analysis | 3.0 | SP |
One 400/500/600-level course in Biological Sciences or Chemistry.
2-3 units selected from:| GEOS | 630 | Geotectonic Development of CA | 3.0 | FA |
| GEOS | 650 | Environmental Monitoring | 2.0 | FA |
| BIOL | 699T | Master's Thesis1.0 | 6.0 | FS |
| CHEM | 699T | Master's Thesis1.0 | 6.0 | FS |
| GEOS | 699T | Master's Thesis1.0 | 6.0 | FS |
At least 1 unit of 699T is required.
Select 9-17 units from courses approved by the graduate committee.
Graduate Literacy Requirement:
Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.
Environmental Science students will normally demonstrate their writing competence 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 - 597/697, 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 597/697, 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.