The SES Master of Science in Environmental Science & Sustainability takes a whole-systems, interdisciplinary approach to global environmental and sustainability challenges. The program offers a choice of two tracks, Research and Professional, and can be pursued by students of any academic background.
Students in both tracks will complete 30 credit hours of instruction, including 6 credit hours in two core courses. Research Track students will pursue an original, in-depth research project, culminating in the writing and defending of a thesis. Professional Track students will complete coursework in one of four professional concentration areas, Environmental Law & Policy, Geographic Information Systems, Sustainable Assessment & Planning and Sustainable Business.
The SES Master of Science in Environmental Science & Sustainability takes a whole-systems, interdisciplinary approach to global environmental and sustainability challenges. The program offers a choice of two tracks, Research and Professional, and can be pursued by students of any academic background.
Students in both tracks will complete 30 credit hours of instruction, including 6 credit hours in two core courses. Research Track students will pursue an original, in-depth research project, culminating in the writing and defending of a thesis. Professional Track students will complete coursework in one of four professional concentration areas, Environmental Law & Policy, Geographic Information Systems, Sustainable Assessment & Planning and Sustainable Business.
The SES Master of Science in Environmental Science & Sustainability takes a whole-systems, interdisciplinary approach to global environmental and sustainability challenges. The program offers a choice of two tracks, Research and Professional, and can be pursued by students of any academic background.
Students in both tracks will complete 30 credit hours of instruction, including 6 credit hours in two core courses. Research Track students will pursue an original, in-depth research project, culminating in the writing and defending of a thesis. Professional Track students will complete coursework in one of four professional concentration areas, Environmental Law & Policy, Geographic Information Systems, Sustainable Assessment & Planning and Sustainable Business.
MS in Environmental Science & Sustainability: Research Track Curriculum
Research track students will complete 30 hours of coursework and research with an SES research faculty, culminating in a final written thesis and defense.
Required Courses
- ENVS 401 Sustainable Systems - Natural Science Perspectives
- ENVS 402 Sustainable Systems - Social Science Perspectives
Electives
Work with your thesis advisor to choose from our many courses to best advance your individual interests.
Choose from our robust set of courses in environmental science and sustainability, including at least two from more than 45 courses we offer in environmental science and quantitative methods. You will also be able to choose from more than 20 of the courses we offer in Sustainable Society and Business.
Natural Science and Quantitative Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 420 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| ENVS 422 | Invasive Species | 3 |
| ENVS 423 | Environmental Microbiology | 3 |
| ENVS 425 | Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| ENVS 426 | Agroecosystems | 3 |
| ENVS 427 | Food Systems Analysis | 3 |
| ENVS 430 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 435 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 438 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
| ENVS 451 | Introduction to Sustainability Concepts & Impacts | 3 |
| ENVS 452 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting I | 3 |
| ENVS 453 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting II | 3 |
| ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
| ENVS 480 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 481 | Advanced GIS Applications | 3 |
| ENVS 482 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| ENVS 484 | Conservation Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 487 | Principles of Ecotoxicology | 3 |
| ENVS 488 | Applied Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| ENVS 489 | Ecological Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENVS 491 | Independent Environmental Research (upon approval) | 1-4 |
| ENVS 495 | Environmental Internship | 3 |
| ENVS 498 | Special Topics (upon approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 498L | Special Topics with Lab (upon approval) | 1-4 |
| ENVS 499 | Directed Readings (upon approval) | 1-3 |
| BIOL 495 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| BIOL 416 | Limnology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 418 | Aquatic Insects Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 470 | Biostats & Exp Design Lec/Lab | 4 |
| MPBH 400 | Determinants of Population Health | 3 |
| MPBH 401 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| MPBH 403 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| MPBH 404 | Biostatistics for Health and Biological Science | 3 |
| MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| MPBH 409 | Biostatistics I | 3 |
| MPBH 412 | Intro to Statistical Computing for Public Health | 2 |
| MPBH 414 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| MPBH 421 | Biostatistics II | 3 |
| MPBH 423 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 3 |
| MPP 401 | Analytical Tools in Public Policy | 3 |
| MPP 402 | Cost Benefit Analysis | 3 |
| MPP 403 | Public Budget and Finance | 3 |
| MPP 405 | Statistical Methods & Analysis for Public Policy I | 3 |
| MPP 406 | Statistical Methods & Analysis Public Policy II | 3 |
| MPP 408 | Political Feasibility Analysis | 3 |
| SOCL 414 | Statistical Methods Analysis I | 3 |
| SOCL 415 | Statistical Methods of Analysis II | 3 |
| STAT 403 | SAS Program & Applied Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 407 | Statistical Design | 3 |
| STAT 436 | Topics in Biostatistics | 3 |
Sustainable Society and Business Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 410 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 411 | Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 412 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 413 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 433 | Introduction to the Circular Economy | 3 |
| ENVS 436 | Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | 3 |
| ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
| ENVS 463 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
| ENVS 464 | Sustainability Management in the Global Context | 3 |
| ENVS 483 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| ENVS 491 | Independent Environmental Research (upon approval) | 1-4 |
| ENVS 495 | Environmental Internship | 3 |
| ENVS 498 | Special Topics (upon approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 499 | Directed Readings (upon approval) | 1-3 |
| MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| MPP 400 | Policy Design and Analysis | 3 |
| MPP 404 | Public Policy Process | 3 |
| PSYC 460 | Social Psychological Theory | 3 |
| PSYC 461 | Attitude and Attitude Change | 3 |
| PSYC 486 | Methods of Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SOCL 412 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 3 |
| SOCL 446 | Knowledge, Power & Expertise | 3 |
| SOCL 463 | Sociology & Natural Environment | 3 |
Thesis Research
Devote 12 credit hours to designing and conducting your research thesis work under the guidance of your thesis advisor and thesis committee.
Research track students are required to complete and defend their thesis to graduate.
MS in Environmental Science & Sustainability: Professional Track Curriculum
Professional track students will complete a concentration in one of the following areas as part of their 30-credit-hour graduation requirement.
Required Courses
- ENVS 401 Sustainable Systems - Natural Science Perspectives
- ENVS 402 Sustainable Systems - Social Science Perspectives
Concentrations
Environmental Law and Policy
This Concentration provides essential knowledge in relevant areas of environmental law and policy for professionals who want to better understand the role of government, industry, non-profit, and other institutions involved in environmental advocacy, consulting, and compliance.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 410 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 411 | Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 412 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 413 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
This Concentration provides essential knowledge on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - a compilation of sophisticated, multidimensional software and tools used to capture, store, analyze, manage and present geospatial data. This curriculum provides essential training in the fundamental principles and concepts behind contemporary geographic mapping technology needed to solve complex geospatial problems commonly encountered in environmental sciences, urban planning, social sciences, public health, as well as business, engineering, and many more fields.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 480 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 481 | Advanced GIS Applications | 3 |
| ENVS 482 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
Sustainable Assessment & Planning
This Concentration delivers valuable skills for professionals who want to better understand how organizations can - and do – measure, regulate and report their own natural resource use. Students will develop essential skills used by sustainability professionals in government, industry, non-profit, and other institutions striving to improve and document their sustainability impact.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 451 | Introduction to Sustainability Concepts & Impacts | 3 |
| ENVS 452 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting I | 3 |
| ENVS 453 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting II | 3 |
| ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
Sustainable Business
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 433 | Introduction to the Circular Economy | 3 |
| ENVS 435 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 436 | Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | 3 |
| ENVS 463 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
Electives
Work with your advisor to choose from our many courses to best advance your individual interests. Choose from our robust set of courses in environmental science and sustainability, including at least two from more than 45 courses we offer in environmental science and quantitative methods. You will also be able to choose from more than 20 of the courses we offer in Sustainable Society and Business.
Natural Science and Quantitative Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 420 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| ENVS 422 | Invasive Species | 3 |
| ENVS 423 | Environmental Microbiology | 3 |
| ENVS 425 | Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| ENVS 426 | Agroecosystems | 3 |
| ENVS 427 | Food Systems Analysis | 3 |
| ENVS 430 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 435 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 438 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
| ENVS 451 | Introduction to Sustainability Concepts & Impacts | 3 |
| ENVS 452 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting I | 3 |
| ENVS 453 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting II | 3 |
| ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
| ENVS 480 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 481 | Advanced GIS Applications | 3 |
| ENVS 482 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| ENVS 484 | Conservation Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 487 | Principles of Ecotoxicology | 3 |
| ENVS 488 | Applied Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| ENVS 489 | Ecological Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENVS 491 | Independent Environmental Research (upon approval) | 1-4 |
| ENVS 495 | Environmental Internship | 3 |
| ENVS 498 | Special Topics (upon approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 498L | Special Topics with Lab (upon approval) | 1-4 |
| ENVS 499 | Directed Readings (upon approval) | 1-3 |
| BIOL 495 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| BIOL 416 | Limnology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 418 | Aquatic Insects Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 470 | Biostats & Exp Design Lec/Lab | 4 |
| MPBH 400 | Determinants of Population Health | 3 |
| MPBH 401 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| MPBH 403 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| MPBH 404 | Biostatistics for Health and Biological Science | 3 |
| MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| MPBH 409 | Biostatistics I | 3 |
| MPBH 412 | Intro to Statistical Computing for Public Health | 2 |
| MPBH 414 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| MPBH 421 | Biostatistics II | 3 |
| MPBH 423 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 3 |
| MPP 401 | Analytical Tools in Public Policy | 3 |
| MPP 402 | Cost Benefit Analysis | 3 |
| MPP 403 | Public Budget and Finance | 3 |
| MPP 405 | Statistical Methods & Analysis for Public Policy I | 3 |
| MPP 406 | Statistical Methods & Analysis Public Policy II | 3 |
| MPP 408 | Political Feasibility Analysis | 3 |
| SOCL 414 | Statistical Methods Analysis I | 3 |
| SOCL 415 | Statistical Methods of Analysis II | 3 |
| STAT 403 | SAS Program & Applied Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 407 | Statistical Design | 3 |
| STAT 436 | Topics in Biostatistics | 3 |
Sustainable Society and Business Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENVS 410 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 411 | Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 412 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 413 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 433 | Introduction to the Circular Economy | 3 |
| ENVS 436 | Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | 3 |
| ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
| ENVS 463 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
| ENVS 464 | Sustainability Management in the Global Context | 3 |
| ENVS 483 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| ENVS 491 | Independent Environmental Research (upon approval) | 1-4 |
| ENVS 495 | Environmental Internship | 3 |
| ENVS 498 | Special Topics (upon approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 499 | Directed Readings (upon approval) | 1-3 |
| MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| MPP 400 | Policy Design and Analysis | 3 |
| MPP 404 | Public Policy Process | 3 |
| PSYC 460 | Social Psychological Theory | 3 |
| PSYC 461 | Attitude and Attitude Change | 3 |
| PSYC 486 | Methods of Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SOCL 412 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 3 |
| SOCL 446 | Knowledge, Power & Expertise | 3 |
| SOCL 463 | Sociology & Natural Environment | 3 |
