The Master of Science in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
Degree Options :: Course Requirements
The Guiding Committee:: Advancement to Candidacy
Degree Options
Two types of programs lead to the M.S. degree in ESPM:
Plan I (Thesis Plan): Consists of 20 semester units of upper division and graduate courses, at least 8 of which must be in graduate-level courses in the major subject. The thesis must be approved by a committee of three members of the faculty, one of whom from outside the department. A substantial part of the course work will be designed to acquire depth in knowledge relevant to the thesis.
Plan II (Non-thesis Plan): Consists of 24 semester units of upper division and graduate courses, at least 12 of which must be in graduate-level courses in the major subject. Plan II requires that students pass a comprehensive oral exam before the degree can be awarded. The examination will emphasize the student's program of graduate study but the student must also demonstrate an understanding of other principles and issues related to the study of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management.
In both plans, courses will be taken in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management and in other departments of the University related to the student's field of interest. Transfers between plans must be approved by the gradate advisor.
Course Requirements
Each Master's student in ESPM will be required to take two core courses.
• ESPM 201A: Research Approaches in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (3 units)
• ESPM 201B: Case Studies in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (3 units)
In addition to the core courses, the student in consultation with the guiding professor and graduate advisor will develop the program of study. Both the guiding professor and the graduate advisor must approve changes to the program of study. Students are required to take at least two graduate level courses as part of their program. Courses numbered 296, 298, or 299 do not satisfy this requirement. Course requirements must be completed with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (B).
The Guiding Committee
Each Master’s student will have a two-person guiding committee, appointed by the graduate advisor early in the first semester in the program. The guiding committee will consist of the student’s guiding professor and one other member of the faculty. The guiding committee will determine Master’s program coursework. The guiding professor and the advisor must approve any changes to this program. All courses designated by the guiding committee as a required part of a student’s program must be taken for a letter grade unless offered on a Passed/Not Passed only.
Advancement to Candidacy
The candidate for the Master of Science degree in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management must file a formal application for advancement to candidacy with the Graduate Division within the first month of the semester in which graduation is expected. The Graduate Division must approve the application before a student may take the oral examination or file a thesis. Deadline dates for filing are listed in the University calendar and in the Graduate Student Services Office. Master's candidates should consult the Graduate Student Services Office for clarification of candidacy requirements.