General Science M.S.

Purpose of Degree

The Master of Science in General Science degree program (Application of GIS & RS concentration) will provide a unique opportunity for students to combine Geotechnology, the environmental sciences and other related fields in the context of multidisciplinary study. It will also train the students with professional skills they need in career development, such as environmental communication, written communication, project management, and leadership.

The students should expect to learn the latest Geotechnology (GIS, RS and GPA) and how to apply this technology to the environment-related fields and careers. Students in this program will gain hands-on skills via field data collection, laboratory analysis, environmental modeling, and internship experiences for future careers.

Job opportunities are growing and diversifying as geospatial technologies prove their value in areas such as environmental science. The degree will meet the increasing demands of geotechnology in related governmental agencies, the private sectors and local, regional and national NGOs.

National Affiliation

The M.S. in General Science - Application of GIS/RS in Environmental Science has received national affiliation as a Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree.

Program of Study

30 credits -–Thesis Program

34 credits — Non-thesis Program

36 credits — Concentration in Application of Geographic Information System/Remote Sensing (GIS/RS) in Environmental Science

Thesis Option — 30 Semester Hours

Required

GSCI 570Introduction to Research

3 credits

GSCI 572Thesis I

3 credits

Major Field and Related Electives

24 credits

Non-Thesis Option — 34 Semester Hours

Required

GSCI 570Introduction to Research

3 credits

GSCI 571Independent Research

1 - 6 credits

Major Field and Related Electives

29-30 credits

Concentration in Application of Geographic Information Systems/Remote Sensing (GIS/RS) in Environmental Science – 36 Semester Hours

A. Physical and Environmental Science (9 - 12 Semester Hours):

Two from the following courses:

BIOL 528Biogeography

3 credits

BIOL 543Stream Ecology

3 credits

BIOL 563Conservation Biology

4 credits

BIOM 502Marine Evolutionary Ecology

3 credits

BIOM 560Marine Ecology

3 credits

BIOM 565Management of Wetland Wildlife

3 credits

BIOM 583Wetland Ecology

3 credits

GEOG 522Watershed Hydrology

3 credits

GSCI 543Environmental Quality

4 credits

GSCI 549Environmental Science

3 credits

One or two free electives within Physical and Environmental Sciences

B. Geo-Technology (9 Semester Hours):

GEOG 502Applied Geographic Information Science (GIS)

3 credits

GEOG 503Advanced Geographic Information Science (GIS)

3 credits

GEOG 511Introduction to Remote Sensing

3 credits

C. Professional Skills (9 Semester Hours)

Oral and Written Communication skill course
ENGL 515Computers And Writing

3 credits

One from the following Leadership and Team Building skill courses
POLS 501Public Administration: Theory, Scope and Methods

3 credits

POLS 537Problems in Public Administration

3 credits

POLS 566Budgeting & Finance

3 credits

POLS 567Public Personnel Administration

3 credits

MGT 502Organizational Strategy

3 credits

MGT 503Organizational Leadership

3 credits

Or

Other approved electives

D. Internship (6 - 9 Semester Hours)

One or more of the following:
BIOL 586Field Experience and Internship

1 - 12 credits

BIOM 569Field Methods in Oceanography

3 credits

Or

BIOM 582Field Studies in Oceanography

3 credits

Additional Requirements:

Admission Requirements:

  • B.A or B.S degree in environmental studies, geography, GIS, earth science, marine science, environmental chemistry, recreation and leisure, and any other environment-related major.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) scores are required for all international students unless their undergraduate degree is from an English language institution. (It must be documented that English is the only language of instruction in the institution.) The required scores on the TOEFL are 560 (paper-format test), 220 (computer-format test) or 83 (internet based test).

Completion Requirements:

Successful completion of GRE (i.e. 450 for verbal, 650 for quantitative, and 4 for writing)