Master of Science in Environmental Science

More about the Program

• Admission and Prerequisites

  The Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) is a two-year program designed for students who wish to pursue graduate study on a full or part-time basis while balancing professional and personal goals. 

  Admission consideration for the program is extended to students with a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry or geology from an accredited program who have completed all program prerequisites and hold a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.1 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale). 

  Students with an undergraduate degree in some other field may also be considered if they meet alternative criteria such as performing well on the GRE, providing a convincing statement of purpose explaining their commitment to the program, and/or providing strong letters of recommendation. Such students would be required to complete the program prerequisites within one year of acceptance. For example, a student applying to the MSES program with an undergraduate degree in biology may not have completed an upper division course in chemistry. This course must be completed before the student can take CHEM 548, Environmental Chemistry. In many cases, deficiencies in a prerequisite may be made after entrance to the program, but will extend the overall time to degree.

  Minimum program prerequisites include one full year of general chemistry and one upper division course in chemistry such as organic chemistry, introductory courses in biology and geology, a field course in either biology or geology, one year (two semesters) of calculus, and a course in statistics.

  Each applicant is required to submit official, complete transcripts of prior college work and a one-page statement of purpose. Three letters of recommendation are required for admission and at least one must be from someone familiar with the candidate’s academic performance. Depending upon individual circumstances, deficiencies in prerequisites may be taken concurrently in the 1st year with graduate course work or acceptance into the program can be deferred for one year allowing prerequisites to be completed before admission.

• Thesis/Project Requirements

  The requirements for the M.S. degree in Environmental Science can be satisfied by one of three options:

  Plan A Thesis Option	24 credit hours	Thesis 6 credit hours
  Plan B Project Option	27 credit hours	Project 3 credit hours
  Plan C Coursework Option	30 credit hours

   

  Plan A--Thesis Option: 24 credits hours (500 or above level) plus 6 credits ESCI 699. A thesis will be based on original research. (Preferred by the environmental consulting industry.)

  Plan B--Project Option: 27 credits hours (500 or above level) plus 3 credits ESCI 698. A project will be based on library/field/laboratory research or classroom exercises demonstrating analysis and interpretation of scientific data.

  Plan C: Coursework Option: 30 credits hours (500 or above level) (not recommended for students interested in doctoral degrees).

  Faculty doing environmental-related research or teaching

  Bazzi, Ali (Professor of Chemistry): Trace metal speciation in natural waters with electrochemical techniques; analytical methods development applicable to environmental and biological samples; and chemical education research.

  Bergeron, Suzanne (Professor of Women's Studies and Social Sciences): Environmental Economics.

  Bowlin, Melissa (Assistant Professor of Biology): Behavioral and physiological ecology of avian migration and sleep.

  Danielson-Francois, Anne (Associate Professor of Biology): Evolution and animal behavior; sexual selection; quantitative genetics of mating behavior; environmental and conservation biology of arthropods.

  Deng, Yiwei (Associate Professor of Chemistry): Development of analytical methods for environmental and food applications and the study of pathways; and mechanisms and kinetics of chemical and photochemical reactions.

  Gelderloos, Orin (Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies): Landscape ecology (relationships between flora, fauna, soil and groundwater) on the Rouge River floodplain in the natural areas of the UM-Dearborn campus.

  Luera, Gail (Associate Professor of Education): Environmental education.

  Mckenna, Brian (Associate Professor of Anthropology): Medical and environmental anthropology; and environmental policy.

  Marincean, Simona (Associate Professor of Chemistry): Organic chemistry; and biomass conversion into useful commodity and specialty products.

  Murray, Kent (Professor of Geology and Environmental Science): Low temperature aqueous geochemisty and groundwater modeling to evaluate the relationship between groundwater and surface water quality.  Brownfield investigation; the fate and transport of heavy metals and their impact on public health.

  Napieralski, Jacob (Associate Professor of Geology): Urban stream geomorphology and surface hydrology; sediment transport; glacial geology and history; spatial statistics and geographic information science (GISc); and geoscience education.

  Riebesell, John (Associate Professor of Biology): Population biology; plant ecology; photosynthetic adaptations in plants; effects of environmental modification on community stability in model ecosystems.

  Saarinen, Emily (Assistant Professor): Population genetic analyses of rare and declining species, evaluations of captive breeding and reintroduction programs, landscape ecology, integration of genetic and geographic information to aid in endangered species management planning, invertebrate conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in midwestern species.

  Susko, David (Associate Professor of Biology): Maternal effects of weed seed populations and communities; and plant classification based on patterns of ovule fate.

  Thomas, John (Professor of Biology): Plant molecular biology; expression of insecticidal and anti-viral genes for plant protection; molecular basis of responses to environmental stress; and plant growth regulators.

  Tiquia-Arashiro, Sonia M. (Professor of Biology and Microbiology): Waste processing microbiology; microbial community structure and dynamics in marine and fresh water environments; the use of genomic technology in environmental microbiology and microbial ecology; groundwater and surface water microbiology; Rouge River microbial ecology; and coupling of chemical and microbiological processes.

• Curriculum

  For a complete description of these courses, please consult the Graduate Catalog.

  COURSEWORK OFFERED:

  MSES Core Courses (15 Credits)

  BIOL 514 Applied Ecology (3)

  CHEM 548 Environmental Chemistry (3)

  ESCI 572 Environmental Communications (3) 

  ESCI 574 Watershed Analysis (3)

  GEOL 550 Glacial Geology (3)

  MSES Elective Courses (15 Credits)

  BIOL 508 Invasive Species Ecology (3) 

  BIOL 515 Aquatic Ecosystems (4)

  BIOL 516 Limnology (3)

  BIOL 519 Behavior and Evolution (3)

  BIOL 524 Biology of Spiders (4)

  BIOL 545 Restoration Ecology (3) 

  BIOL 552 Medical and Environmental Toxicology (3)

  BIOL 556 Behavioral Biology (4)

  BIOL 561 Recent Advances in Cell Biol (2) 

  BIOL 590 Topics in Biology (1-4)

  BIOL 590B Conservation Biology (3)

  CHEM 590 Topics in Chemistry (1-4)

  ENST 574 Environmental Education (3)

  ESCI 504 Field Studies Environ Sci (2)

  ESCI 585 Spatial Analysis and GIS (3)

  ESCI 595 Topics in Environmental Science (3)

  ESCI 525 Soils in the Environment (3) 

  GEOL 560 Engineering Geology (3)

  GEOL 570 Geochemistry (3)

  GEOL 574 Urban Watersheds (3)

  GEOL 575 Contaminant Hydrogeology (3)

  GEOL 577 Geology Field Methods (1-2)

  GEOL 587 Groundwater Modeling (3) 

  GEOL 590 Topics in Earth Science (1-4)

  LIBS 586 Ecological Economics (3)

  MICR 505 Applied and Envir Microbiology (3)

  STAT 530 Applied Regression Analysis (3)

  STAT 545 Reliability & Survival Analysis (3)

  STAT 555 Environmental Statistics (3)

  ESCI 597/599 Independent Study Off/On Campus (1-3)

  ESCI 698 MSES Project (3)

  ESCI 699 MSES Thesis (1-6)

• Student Learning Goals

  The requirements for the M.S. degree in Environmental Science can be satisfied by one of three options:

  • Plan A. Thesis Option 24 credit hours (500 level or above) plus ESCI 699. A thesis will be based on original research. (Preferred by the environmental consulting industry)
  • Plan B. Project Option 27 credit hours (500 level or above) plus ESCI 698. A project will be based on library/field/laboratory research or classroom exercises demonstrating analysis and interpretation of scientific data.
  • Plan C. Coursework Option 30 credit hours (500 level or above) (Not recommended for students interested in doctoral degrees).

  The non-thesis M.S. program has an emphasis on coursework, while the thesis-based/project-based degree has an emphasis on both coursework and original research. Thesis-based M.S. students will experience the excitement of performing guided research.

  The learning goals are divided into four parts including (1) Conceptual knowledge; (2) Communication skills; (3) Critical and independent thinking skills; and (4) Practical and/or professional skills.

  (1) Conceptual knowledge. Understanding the underlying concepts and principles associated with environmental aspects of:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Geology

  (2) Communication skills. Ability to acquire, present, and develop scientific ideas

  • Ability to read, understand and use scientific information related to environmental issues
  • Ability to effectively communicate scientific information orally
  • Ability to effectively communicate scientific information in writing

  (3) Critical thinking and cognitive skills.

  • Ability to apply the scientific method to evaluate environmental problems and propose solutions
  • Ability to use and apply knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to environmental science
  • Ability to evaluate information from a range of sources and to engage with some of the current developments in environmental science, including applications and the philosophical and ethical issues involved
  • Ability to perform statistical and quantitative analyses

  (4) Practical and/or professional skills

  • Ability to conduct practical and investigative work in a responsible, safe and ethical manner, and be aware of risk assessment and relevant health and safety regulations
  • Ability to initiate, design, conduct and report on investigations, which may involve primary or secondary data
  • Ability to obtain, record, collate and analyze data derived from laboratory and/or field investigations, and interpret and report their significance in the light of underlying theory, practical issues and relevant information from other sources
• Research Facilities

  The Department of Natural Sciences has extensive networked computing facilities, including scanners, digitizers and plotters, GIS and groundwater modeling software, GPS equipment, and labs for preparation and chemical analysis of environmental, biological and geological samples. Environmental chambers are available for experiments requiring precisely controlled environments for experimental study of both plants and animals.  With NSF assistance, we have recently acquired a scanning electron microscope in collaboration with the College of Engineering and an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP).  We also have extensive mineralogic and paleontologic collections as well as the Merritt Geode Collection, one of the finest private geode collections in the world.

  More than 70 acres of the campus along with an adjacent 200 acres belonging to Wayne County are maintained as one of the largest natural areas in metropolitan Detroit, serving as a research and teaching facility for students and school teachers on campus and throughout southeast Michigan. The Environmental Interpretive Center is as a focal point for this research, as well as home to the Rouge River Bird Observatory (RRBO) which studies the importance of urban areas to birds, especially migratory birds. As the longest-running, full-time urban bird research station in North America, the RRBO focuses on the stopover ecology of migrant birds, regular year-round bird surveys, population monitoring, bird banding, avian influenza monitoring (as part of LaMMNA), and insect monitoring.

• Tentative Schedule of Courses

  For up to date course information, refer to the Graduate Academic Catalog.

  Tentative 5-Year Schedule of Courses

  Winter 2017 (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  Biol 522	3	Conservation Biology	LaCommare	R	6:00-8:45 pm
  Biol 508	3	Invasive Species	Susko	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 587	3	Groundwater Modeling	Huang	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  STAT 555	3	Environmental Statistics	Pokhrel	W	6:00-8:45 pm

   

  Summer 2017 (Tentative Schedule)  

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Term	Times
  Esci 585		Spatial Analysis	Staff	T,Th	II	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 577	1	Field Methods	Napieralski		I		(requires adv. Approval)
  Geol 578	3	Geology of the National Parks	Murray	TBA	II	TBA
  GEOL 574	3	Urban Watersheds	Murray	T, Th		6:00-8:45 pm

   

  Fall 2017 (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times	Location
  STAT 530	3	Regression Analysis	Pokhrel	T-Th	6-7:15 pm
  ENST 574		Environmental Education	Luera	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  GEOL 560	3	Engineering Geology	Murray	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  BIOL 556		Behavioral Biology	Danielson-Francois	MW	9:30-10:45 am
  		Lab		M	1:00-4:45 pm	1030 NSB
  Micro 505	3	Appl. & Environmental Micro	Staff	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  		Lab (optional)		W	1:05-4:55 pm

   

  Winter 2018  (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  Chem 548	3	Env. Chemistry*	Deng	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  ESCI 572	3	Environmental Communications*	Danielson-Francois	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 550	3	Glacial Geology*	Napieralski	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  BIOL 519	3	Behavior and Evolution	Danielson-Francois	MW	9:30-10:45 am
  *Required courses

   

  Summer 2018  (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Term	Times
  ESCI 590	3	Soils	Murray	T,Th	I	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 577	1	Field Methods	Murray	One week trip to Mich. UP
  Geol 578	3	Geology of the National Parks	Murray	TBA	II	TBA

   

  Fall 2018  (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  Biol 515	3	Aquatic Ecosystems	Staff	TR	3:30-4:45 pm
  		Lab		Sat	9:00 am-5:00 pm
  BIOL 556	3	Behavioral Biology	Danielson-Francois	MW	9:30-10:45 am
  		Lab		W	1:00-4:45 pm
  Chem 535		Green Chemistry	Marincean	MW	6:00-7:30 pm
  Geol 575	3	Contaminant Hydrology	Huang	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  ESCI  574	3	Watershed analysis*	Napieralski	Th	6:00-8:45 pm
  Micro 505	3	Appl. & Environmental Micro	Tiquia-Arashiro	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  		Lab (optional)		W	1:05-4:55 pm
  * Required Course

   

  Winter 2019 (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  Biol 552	3	Med. & Env. Tox.	Kalyan	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  Biol 522	3	Conservation Biology	Bowlin	R	6:00-8:45 pm
  Biol 508	3	Invasive Species	Susko	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  Biol 514	3	Applied Ecology*	Staff	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 587	3	Groundwater Modeling	Huang	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  STAT 555	3	Environmental Statistics	Pokhrel	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  * Required Course

   

  Summer 2019 (Tentative Schedule)  

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Term	Times
  Esci 585		Spatial Analysis	Staff	T,Th	II	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 577	1	Field Methods	Napieralski		I	(requires adv. Approval)
  Geol 578	3	Geology of the National Parks	Murray	TBA	II	TBA
  Geol 560	3	Engineering Geol.	Murray	T,Th		6:00-8:45 pm

   

   

  Fall 2019 (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  BIOL 524		Biology of Spiders	Danielson-Francois	MW	9:30-10:45 am
  		Lab		M	1:00-4:45 pm
  Biol 545	3	Restoration Ecology	Thomas	W	6:10-9:00 pm
  Chem 325		Principles of Organic Chemistry	Staff
  GEOL 574	3	Urban Watersheds	Murray	Th	6:00-8:45 pm
  STAT 530	3	Regression Analysis	Gillespie	T-Th	6-7:15 pm
  ENST 574		Environmental Education	Luera	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  BIOL 556		Behavioral Biology	Danielson-Francois	MW	9:30-10:45 am
  Micro 505	3	Appl. & Environmental Micro	Staff	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  		Lab (optional)		W	1:05-4:55 pm

   

  Winter 2020  (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  Biol 552	3	Med. & Env. Tox.	Kalyan	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  Chem 548	3	Env. Chemistry*	Deng	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  ESCI 572	3	Environmental Communications*	Danielson-Francois	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 550	3	Glacial Geology*	Napieralski	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  BIOL 519	3	Behavior and Evolution	Danielson-Francois	MW	9:30-10:45 am
  STAT 555	3	Environmental Statistics	Pokhrel	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  *Required courses

   

  Summer 2020  (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Term	Times
  Geol 560	3	Engineering Geol.	Murray	T,Th	II	6:00-8:45 pm
  ESCI 590	3	Soils	Murray	T,Th	I	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 577	1	Field Methods	Murray	One week trip to Mich. UP
  Geol 578	3	Geology of the National Parks	Murray	TBA	II	TBA

   

  Fall 2020  (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  Biol 515	3	Aquatic Ecosystems	Staff	TR	3:30-4:45 pm
  		Lab		Sat	9:00 am-5:00 pm
  BIOL 556	3	Behavioral Biology	Danielson-Francois	MW	9:30-10:45 am
  		Lab		W	1:00-4:45 pm
  Chem 535		Green Chemistry	Marincean	MW	6:00-7:30 pm
  Geol 575	3	Contaminant Hydrology	Huang	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  ESCI  574	3	Watershed analysis*	Napieralski	Th	6:00-8:45 pm
  Micro 505	3	Appl. & Environmental Micro	Tiquia-Arashiro	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  		Lab (optional)		W	1:05-4:55 pm
  * Required Course

   

  Winter 2021 (Tentative Schedule)

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Times
  Biol 552	3	Med. & Env. Tox.	Kalyan	T	6:00-8:45 pm
  Biol 522	3	Conservation Biology	Bowlin	R	6:00-8:45 pm
  Biol 508	3	Invasive Species	Susko	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  Biol 514	3	Applied Ecology*	Staff	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 587	3	Groundwater Modeling	Huang	M	6:00-8:45 pm
  STAT 555	3	Environmental Statistics	Pokhrel	W	6:00-8:45 pm
  * Required Course

   

  Summer 2021 (Tentative Schedule)  

  Course	Credits	Title	Instructor	Days	Term	Times
  Esci 585		Spatial Analysis	Staff	T,Th	II	6:00-8:45 pm
  Geol 577	1	Field Methods	Napieralski		I	(requires adv. Approval)
  Geol 578	3	Geology of the National Parks	Murray	TBA	II	TBA
  Geol 560	3	Engineering Geol.	Murray	T,Th		6:00-8:45 pm