Environmental Science BS / Ecology, Evolution, and Earth Systems MS

Major: Environmental Science and Environmental Policy
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 225.5
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five years)
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 03.0104
BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-2041
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.1310
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9121

About the Program

The BSMS program in Ecology, Evolution and Earth Systems is designed to provide an opportunity for highly motivated and qualified undergraduates to begin pursuing a graduate degree prior to completion of their bachelor’s degree in a 4+1 year format with one coop.

The MS in Ecology, Evolution and Earth Systems builds on the knowledge undergraduates gain in their Environmental Science program and allows students to advance into higher level courses with greater depth. Students interested in a course-based program can choose to do the BSMS as a non-thesis student, which has advantages when seeking positions in consulting, government or nonprofit organizations. Students interested in research careers or future doctoral studies can opt to pursue the thesis option, which provides an opportunity to conduct independent research and gain valuable research experience. Students interested in the thesis option require early planning and a faculty mentor.

The 4+1 program combines the four-year undergraduate COOP program (4COP) with one year of graduate school. . The 4COP program provides students with the benefit of a coop in spring/summer of their third year while maintaining flexibility in course loads per term. Graduate coursework begins in year four (concurrent with the final year of the BS program) and the MS degree is completed at the end of year five.

Additional Information

For more information about the program, visit the Department of Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science's web page.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the BSMS program, students must apply between 90-120 credits and have a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA overall and in their math and science courses. Applicants should meet with their advisor to create a plan of study and submit a 1-page personal statement. After a review of the initial plan of study and personal statement, the applicant will meet with the Undergraduate and Graduate Chairs for an interview. If accepted, the student will receive an Accelerated Degree Program Application form and will use this form to obtain permission from all approving parties listed.  Students planning to pursue an MS Thesis as part of the BSMS program should have a defined project planned out with a faculty mentor.

Degree Requirements

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Up to two GEO or ENSS courses may count as ENVS electives. ENVS 511 counts as 1 undergraduate Environmental Elective.

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Students interested in research careers or future doctoral studies can opt to pursue the thesis research option. Those students will take 24.0 credits of MS electives. Students who do not opt to pursue the thesis research option will take 36.0 credits of MS electives.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

4+1 (4COP), 1 co-op