environmental science and engineering graduate program

| overview | application process |

overview

CSULA's interdisciplinary Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science brings top faculty from nine departments together to create the most comprehensive environmental science graduate program in the Los Angeles area. The two-year program combines training in environmental policy and management, environmental information systems, and written and oral communication. This mix of skills is essential for the new environmental scientist, who must draw on knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines to help resolve some of the most complex issues of our time.

Individuals from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Students are eligible to apply for a variety of teaching and research fellowships and travel awards.

curricular information

Students begin their program by taking a series of foundation courses to ground themselves in environmental science. Students are required to take atleast one course from each of the following four Foundation Areas:

• Communication
• GIS and Informatics
• Experimental Design and Analysis
• Public Policy and Environmental Management

After completing their foundation courses, students choose an emphasis. The program offers students three distict emphasis options, allowing them to tailor their graduate education to meet their specific interests and career aspirations:

• Environmental Biology: emphasizes research into such areas as conservation, pollution and global change
• Environmental Engineering Science: treats issues like air, soil and water pollution and sustainability from the perspective of engineering solutions
• Environmental Hydrology: emphasizes fundamental problems of the hydrologic cycle, including water pollution issues, wetlands and watershed hydrology, and hydrologic modeling

When students have completed all required foundation and emphasis coursework, they choose a culminating experience. The program offers students two choices for the completion of their degree:

• Thesis Track: Students who choose this track conduct field and lab research and complete their degree by writing a thesis. This track is designed for students who want to continue on to a doctoral program to further prepare for work in academia, agencies or industry.
• Professional Track: Professional track students participate in a six-month internship at an off-campus agency, which culminates in a final project report. This track is designed for students who want to conclude their graduate studies with a master's degree and immediately enter the environmental workforce.

*for a complete list of included courses, please see the Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science listing in the CSULA Course Catalogue

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