Environmental Sciences and Policy, Master of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Environmental Science & Policy

• Use data, perspectives and theories from the natural and social sciences to develop an integrated understanding of environmental challenges.
• Examine the generation of scientific knowledge and how that knowledge is presented, evaluated, framed, and applied as political forces shape environmental policy.
• Understand the ethical dimensions of scientific inquiry and interpretation in affecting policy process, and apply this knowledge to develop ethical approaches to the integration of scientific inquiry and interpretation to the policy process.
• Develop relevant policy and management recommendations to address environmental challenges.

• Effective integration of experimental design and laboratory and/or field instruments
• Design and use of observational and/or experimental field methods
• Application of appropriate analytical methods to evaluate qualitative and/or quantitative data
• Application of mathematical, spatial or qualitative models to better represent environmental and/or related social processes

• Design a research study of personal and professional interest and importance including: planning, organizing and executing a project with guidance and input of the thesis committee
• Conduct a thorough literature review related to the thesis area that identifies knowledge gaps
• Analyze, interpret, and explain findings using quantitative and/or qualitative methods appropriate to the research design
• Succinctly articulate these new insights, tools, or approaches in oral presentations and polished writing aimed at Environmental Science and Policy professionals as well as the general public
• Conduct a thesis defense delivered to an audience of environmental science faculty and peers

• Effectively communicate (e.g. oral presentations, writings, posters) with environmental scientists, policymakers, resource managers, and the public (i.e. technical and non-technical audiences).
• Effectively communicate major theories, areas of agreement and controversy, significant challenges, and leading edges of environmental science and how social forces shape environmental policy and management.

• Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental systems through coursework and thesis research.
• Students will work closely with their research advisor to develop a personal plan of study and research, in which the student applies a core body of methodological and theoretical knowledge to a thesis in the student’s individual area of research interest.
• In the Science & Policy Emphasis, students’ core body of methodological and theoretical knowledge revolves around a scientific examination of natural resources (such as air, water, and land) and integration of this scientific knowledge with an examination of environmental law, regulation and policy.

• Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of paleoenvironmental systems through coursework and thesis research.
• Examine Quaternary geology including glaciation, hydrology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, and paleoclimatology.
• Elucidate major theories and methods in reconstructing terrestrial and aquatic biotic communities of the past.
• Examine and understand how and why the climate system responds to natural changes and human impacts.
• Use archeological analysis to examine the impacts of humans on past climate and environments.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
  
  Admission requirements include the following:

  • Transcripts.
  • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.

  
  Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
  
  Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

  International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

• • GRE® Revised General Test

• • Three Letters of Recommendation

• • Submit a sample of your writing that you think best demonstrates your skill at communicating science and/or policy and/or management ideas. The submission should be your own original work.

• • Prerequisites (may be completed concurrently with the program)

• • • Science prerequisites include at least one undergraduate chemistry, biology, or ecology course with a lab, though it is possible to be admitted provisionally while completing foundational coursework

• • Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Master's Requirements

• Take the following 34 - 36 units:
  
  Core (15 units)

  •  ENV 555 (3 units)

• • Select at least one course in quantitative analysis from (3 units):

    • BIO 682
    • MAT 542
    • POS 601, POS 605
    • STA 570, STA 571, STA 676

• • EES 605, EES 606 (2 units)
  • ENV 699 (7 units)
  In completing the thesis, you will work closely with your major professor and others to conduct an original research project, which generally requires maintaining close proximity to the Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff campus.
  
  Emphasis Requirements (Select One):

• • Science and Policy Emphasis (21 units)
    • Select one course each from two of the following areas (6 units):

• • • Water Resources:

      • BIO 572
      • FOR 560, FOR 563, FOR 565
      • GLG 451, GLG 575, GLG 670
      Atmosphere and Climate:
      • CHM 440
      • ENV 430, ENV 580, ENV 591, ENV 595, ENV 596, ENV 675
      Land Resources:
      • BIO 570, BIO 573, BIO 663
      • ENV 530, ENV 540, ENV 540L, ENV 544, ENV 550, ENV 571, ENV 640
      • FOR 544, FOR 545, FOR 580, FOR 582

• • Select one course in environmental laws, regulations, and policy selected from (3 units):

    • CENE 540
    • ENV 520
    • FOR 573, FOR 593, FOR 605, FOR 633
    • GSP 514, GSP 521, GSP 522, GSP 524, GSP 698
    • POS 659
    Select at least 12 units of specialty courses, at the 500 level or above, chosen in consultation with your Program Committee.

• • Paleoenvironmental  Sciences Emphasis (19-20 units)

    • Select one course each from the following areas (12-13 units):

• • •  

      Quaternary Geology:

      • GLG 537
      Paleoecology:
      • ENV 550, ENV 572
      Climatology/Paleoclimatology:
      • ENV 595, ENV 596, ENV 675
      Human Systems:
      • ANT 517, ANT 552, ANT 555, ANT 635, ANT 636
      Select at least 7 units of specialty courses, at the 500 level or above, chosen in consultation with your Program Committee.

       

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.