Graduate Programs

The Environmental Science and Management (ESM) graduate program provides a curriculum that will develop scientists and managers able to analyze and understand environmental systems, predict environmental change and participate in the management of the environment. Each student conducts research and completes a thesis or project; each student develops depth in a specific academic area; and each student develops breadth through a set of core courses that include concepts in physical systems, ecological systems and management. Areas of primary specialization are terrestrial, urban and aquatic ecology as they relate to human impacts and management. ESM offers the Masters of Science and (MS) and the Masters of Environmental Management (MEM) degrees. The Department also participates in the Earth, Environment, & Society Ph.D. degree in the School of the Environment.

The following procedures are designed to assure that the student is qualified to pursue both the program itself and a successful career in environmental science and management.

Admission requirements

Environmental Science and Management M.S./M.E.M.

University master’s degree requirements must be met. In addition, specific degree program requirements are listed in each program.

The graduate study program is developed through discussions involving the graduate student, the student’s adviser, and the student’s graduate committee. The M.S. or M.E.M graduate committee consists of at least three members including the major adviser. The major adviser and one other committee member must be a member of the graduate faculty. The graduate committee must be approved by the ESM Chair.

To encourage the development of interdisciplinary graduate study programs, guidelines for course selection are flexible. Students must complete at least 45 graduate credits.

M.S. Requirements

The M.S. program of study consists of the following minimum credit requirements:

Courses

	Core courses (one from each core area and selected from program list)	16
ESM 507	Seminar	1-6
	Quantitative analysis (selected from program list)	4
	Area of concentration	12
	Elective and supporting courses	4
	Thesis/project	6

ESM 507: three terms

Total Credit Hours: 45

M.E.M. Requirements

The M.E.M. program of study consists of the following minimum credit requirements:

Courses

	Core courses (one from each core area and selected from program list and ESM 551)	16
ESM 507	Seminar	1-6
	Quantitative analysis (selected from program list)	4
	Area of concentration	12
	Elective and supporting courses	4
	Thesis/project	6

ESM 507: three terms

Total Credit Hours: 45

Core courses

Core courses are required in physical environmental processes, ecological processes and environmental management for all master’s students. M.E.M. students must also complete a core course in project management. Lists of approved core courses are available from the ESM office or online at http://www.pdx.edu/esm.

Quantitative analysis

A course in research methods, experimental design, or statistical analysis, is required to ensure students have sufficient skills for environmental research.

Elective courses

Elective courses are to be defined in the student’s program of study, and agreed upon by the student’s adviser and graduate committee. Courses may be selected to provide additional background, to explore new areas, and to add depth to a scholastic program.

Thesis or project

A central purpose of the M.S. and M.E.M. degree is to teach students the process of problem solving and research. A minimum of 6 credits is required. Students working toward the M.S. degree will be required to complete original research leading to a thesis, which complies with standards established by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Students working toward the M.E.M. degree will be required to complete a project in lieu of a thesis. M.E.M. students will take: 1 unit of ESM 509 Practicum at the beginning of their program, and 5 units of ESM 506. This project is expected to be the product of original work in cooperation with an agency, organization, or firm involved in environmental management activities. The project plan, approach, and project report must be approved by the advisory committee in a manner parallel to that for thesis research. The project report must be presented at a public seminar to be followed by an oral defense of the work conducted by the student’s graduate committee.