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 GPS) 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 570 | Introduction to Research | 3 credits |
| GSCI 572 | Thesis I | 3 credits |
| XXX ___ | Major Field and Related Electives | 24 credits |
Non-Thesis Option — 34 Semester Hours
Required
| GSCI 570 | Introduction to Research | 3 credits |
| GSCI 571 | Independent Research | 1 - 6 credits |
| XXX ___ | 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 528 | Biogeography | 3 credits |
| BIOL 543 | Stream Ecology | 3 credits |
| BIOL 563 | Conservation Biology | 4 credits |
| BIOM 502 | Marine Evolutionary Ecology | 3 credits |
| BIOM 560 | Marine Ecology | 3 credits |
| BIOM 565 | Management of Wetland Wildlife | 3 credits |
| BIOM 583 | Wetland Ecology | 3 credits |
| GEOG 522 | Watershed Hydrology | 3 credits |
| GSCI 543 | Environmental Quality | 4 credits |
| GSCI 549 | Environmental Science | 3 credits |
| | and | |
| | One or two free electives within Physical and Environmental Sciences | |
B. Geo-Technology (9 Semester Hours):
| GEOG 502 | Applied Geographic Information Science (GIS) | 3 credits |
| GEOG 503 | Advanced Geographic Information Science (GIS) | 3 credits |
| GEOG 511 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 credits |
C. Professional Skills (9 Semester Hours)
Oral and Written Communication skill course:
One from the following Leadership and Team Building skill courses:
| POLS 501 | Public Administration: Theory, Scope and Methods | 3 credits |
| POLS 537 | Problems in Public Administration | 3 credits |
| POLS 566 | Budgeting & Finance | 3 credits |
| POLS 567 | Public Personnel Administration | 3 credits |
| MGT 502 | Organizational Strategy | 3 credits |
| MGT 503 | Organizational Leadership | 3 credits |
| | Or | |
| | Other approved electives | |
D. Internship (6 - 9 Semester Hours)
One or more of the following:
| BIOL 586 | Field Experience and Internship | 1 - 12 credits |
| OR | | |
| BIOM 569 | Field Methods in Oceanography | 3 credits |
| OR | | |
| BIOM 582 | Field Studies in Oceanography | 3 credits |
| OR | | |
| GEOG 586 | Field Experience and Internship | 3 - 9 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)