MSc in Environmental Science

As an interdisciplinary program encompassing courses in ecology, geology, chemistry, environmental education, and law, the Master of Science in Environmental Science provides students with advanced skills and knowledge to meet the increasing demands worldwide for scientists with strong environmental backgrounds.

A program grounded firmly in the University’s commitment to experiential education, the M.S. in Environmental Science program provides students with extensive hands-on learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Our shoreline location allows students to gain experience working in a variety of settings along with the marsh and ocean areas of Long Island Sound — experiences that are complemented by work in our laboratories. Students also have the unique opportunity to study at the Gerace Research Centre on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. With studies in environmental ecology, environmental geoscience, environmental health and management, geographical information systems, and other areas, the program allows students to customize their education to their individual career interests and goals.

As a required component of the program, students complete a research project, thesis, or internship. These experiences have led our students to fulfill careers in private environmental firms, government agencies, and more. Many students have also gone on to pursue doctoral study at other institutions following graduation.

Hands-on Application

The Environmental Science program offers extensive hands-on learning with fieldwork in a variety of environments, including in our salt marsh system in Connecticut and at an affiliated field research center in the Bahamas. There are many opportunities for student research and thesis work with faculty on topics such as climate change, detecting novel pollutants, fish physiological responses to environmental stressors, coastal ecology and biogeochemistry, GIS assessment and modeling, karst hydrogeology, molecular environmental approaches, environmental education, and more.

Certificate in Geographical Information Systems

This 12-credit program provides you with knowledge of basic and advanced GIS techniques, GIS database development procedures, and geospatial analyses for specific applications as well as technologies and analyses supporting GIS.

Curriculum

• 38 graduate credits are required for completion.

Curriculum Options

All students develop personalized plans of study with the program coordinator or concentration adviser.

• 5 required courses (17 credits) plus an additional 9 courses (25 credits) taken in a specified area of concentration:
  • Environmental Ecology
  • Environmental Geoscience
  • Environmental Health and Management
  • Geographical Information Systems and Applications
• 5 required courses (17 credits) plus specified courses (25 credits) in a no-concentration option
• Thesis or non-thesis program options
• Optional Focus Area — Environmental Education
• Optional Geographical Information System Certificate
  • 4 required classes (12 credits)
  • Can be taken simultaneously — classes cannot overlap

Required Courses

• CIVL 6606 Environmental Law and Legislation
• CHEM 6601 Environmental Chemistry
• ENVS 6600 Environmental Geoscience with Laboratory
• ENVS 6601 Environmental Applications of Ecology with Laboratory
• ENVS 6690 Research Project

Examples of Concentration Courses

Environmental Ecology

• ENVS 6602 Environmental Effects of Pollutants
• ENVS 6607 Environmental Reports and Impact Assessment

Environmental Geoscience

• ENVS 6621 Hydrology
• ENVS 6622 Groundwater Geology

Environmental Health and Management

• ENVS 6615 Toxicology
• ENVS 6618 Hazardous Materials Management

Geographical Information Systems and Applications

• ENVS 6640 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
• ENVS 6641 Geographical Information System Techniques and Applications I

Below is an example of the schedule of course offerings over the first year (subject to change).

Course Length

• 15-week (full semester term) format
• 7.5-week mini-term (MT) format in either an MT1 or MT2 session
• 6.5-week summer term format

Time to Completion

• The average time to degree completion is 24 months for full-time students.

Scholarships

We offer two types of scholarships/assistantship to our international master’s students.

Dean’s scholarship provides up to 50% tuition assistance during their enrollment.

Provost Assistantship offers 75% tuition assistance and the opportunity to work for an academic department up to 20 hours per week during their enrollment.