curriculum overview
Program Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Department of Environmental Studies is to enhance
society's ability to create an environmentally acceptable future that maximizes both environmental and human health. Faculty with diverse backgrounds in the social and natural sciences and in the humanities are committed to developing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental problem solving.
The curriculum is designed for students to gain an understanding of ways to evaluate the impact of human activities on the environment and human health, to balance social and economic needs with environmental realities, to learn how to use resources imaginatively for sustained yields, and to become aware of the role of values in issue formulation and policy making.
Our curricular objectives include the ability:
- to critically analyze environmental issues;
- to research environmental problems and their impacts;
- to evaluate human interactions with the environment; and
- to compare, contrast, evaluate, and implement solutions that facilitate a sustainable environment.
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Advising
All new students must participate in a graduate student orientation during the first week of the fall semester. In conjunction with his or her adviser, each student must prepare an educational plan before the first semester of study. The educational plan is submitted to the department chair for final approval.
Education Plan
Development of an educational plan is a key activity on which student and adviser work closely to develop a plan that is appropriate for the student's background, aspirations, and needs. The plan indicates the courses for the chosen degree and concentration and is developed prior to enrolling for courses in the first semester of study. The advisor and department chair approve the plan. Amendments may be made during the course of study with approval of the adviser and department chair. Courses that the student wishes or needs to take are listed in the educational plan; variances and waivers sought from catalog requirements must be indicated and approved through the petition process.
The course rotations are subject to change, and students should consult the two year course rotation for the most updated information.
- Click here for a copy of the Education Plan (fillable.pdf)
- Click here to view the latest Two-Year Course Rotation (.html)
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Grading policy
Students must maintain a B or better average during their course of study. A maximum of four credit hours of C grades is applicable to the degree, provided they are balanced by an equal number of A grade credit hours. Failure to maintain a B or better average will result in initiation of academic dismissal by the Department.
Closure requirements
M.S. candidates, with the assistance of their advisers and graduate committees, are required to develop a thesis or major graduate project. M.A. students have an additional closure option by completion of the ENS Capstone Course option.
For many students, the culminating experience of graduate-level work is a formal thesis. Other students develop a substantial and carefully designed graduate project, such as
- an interpretive plan for a nature center,
- an exhibit for a museum or visitors' center,
- a film or multimedia show with supportive materials,
- a laboratory research project, or
- a finished and well-researched draft of environmental legislation or policy.
Students are required to present and defend their thesis/graduate project proposal and completed thesis/graduate project before the graduate committee.
Students may enroll for thesis or graduate project credit hours with the approval of their thesis/graduate project advisor. Students must enroll in a total of four credit hours of thesis/graduate project; however, they may accrue the total in increments. Once students begin taking closure hours, they are required by campus policy to be enrolled in at least one closure hour per semester until the closure exercise is completed. If the closure exercise is not completed by the end of four credit hours, students must register for zero credit hours (one billable hour) of ENS 511 Thesis or ENS 529 Graduate Project (as applicable) in all subsequent semesters (except summers) until the closure execise is completed.
