BSU Catalog Home | Graduate Environmental Studies Course Descriptions

Environmental Studies

Center for Environmental, Earth and Space Studies, Economics, and Sociology

 

Sattgast Hall 218-755-2920

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Graduate Faculty

Dr. Fu-Hsian Chang (Director; fchang@bemidjistate.edu), Dr. Dragoljub Bilanovic, Dr. Tim Kroeger, Dr. Patrick Welle

Note: Graduate faculty from the following programs also participate in the teaching and research associated with this program: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Sociology.

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Degree Offered

Master of Science - Environmental Studies

Specializations:

Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Ecology
Environmental Management
Environmental Policy and Planning
Environmental Toxicology
Geohydrology

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Master of Science - Environmental Studies

The Master of Science program accommodates individual student needs and backgrounds and provides students with several curricular and research opportunities. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on the natural and social sciences as they relate to environmental problem solving. Each graduate student is required to select a specialization, complete course work requirements, and conduct a research project leading to a thesis.

Center for Environmental, Earth and Space Studies, Economics, and Sociology

The Center provides a focus for (1) applied environmental research by faculty and students and (2) the interdisciplinary academic Environmental Studies program. Applied environmental research in the Center focuses on both generic and regional problems related to pollution impacts and abatement, and natural resource utilization and protection. Special features of the Center include: laboratories and equipment devoted to ecological, chemical, microbiological, and toxicological studies. Working with the Center, students have opportunities to interact with authorities across disciplines through seminars, conferences, and cooperative research.

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Preparation Requirements

Bachelor's degree from regionally accredited U.S. or approved international college or university, with course work equivalent to a major or minor in the natural or social sciences. One-page letter of intent stating the Environmental Studies Specialization you want to pursue, your academic background, your professional work experience (if any), and any additional information you believe will assist those reviewing your application. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) minimum scores of 152 in verbal reasoning, 155 in quantitative reasoning, and an Analytical score of 4.5 or higher on a 0-6 scale.

University Requirements

See Section IV. Policies and Procedures for degree requirements.
The Graduate Record Examination General Test is required of all applicants.

Course Work Requirements

I. Required Core

ENVR 6010 Research in Natural Science (3 credits)
ENVR 6250 Advanced Environmental Science (3 credits)
ENVR 6300 Advanced Project in Literature (2 credits)
ENVR 6400 Advanced Project in Methodology (2 credits)
ENVR 6890 Grants and Contracts (3 credits)
ENVR 6920 Directed Group Study: Seminar (2 credits)
ENVR 6990 Thesis (2 credits)
SCI 6350 Computer Applications in Statistics (3 credits)

Subtotal 20 Credits

II. Required Specializations - Select one

Note: Asterisked (*) courses have prerequisites not included in the program.

1. Environmental Chemistry
   ENVR 5050 Geochemistry (3 credits)
   ENVR 5101 Environmental Chemistry I (3 credits)
   ENVR 5102 Environmental Chemistry II (3 credits)
   *ENVR 5220 Sampling and Analysis (4 credits)
   Electives approved by Center advisor (2 credits)
2. Environmental Ecology
   BIOL 5620 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
   ENVR 5200 Wastewater Treatment (3 credits)
   ENVR 5400 Environmental Microbiology (3 credits)
   ENVR 5500 Environmental Toxicology (4 credits)
   Electives approved by Center advisor (2 credits)
3. Environmental Management
   ENVR 5200 Wastewater Treatment (3 credits)
   *ENVR 5230 Air Pollution Technology (4 credits)
   ENVR 5240 Waste Management (4 credits)
   ENVR 5300 Environmental Management and Safety (3 credits)
   Electives approved by Center advisor (1 credit)
4. Environmental Policy and Planning
   ECON/ENVR 5040 Environmental Economics (3 credits)
   ENVR 5600 Environmental Justice and Sustainability (3 credits)
   POL 5230 Environmental Politics (3 credits)
   SOC 5050 Environmental Sociology (3 credits)
   Electives approved by Center advisor (3 credits)
5. Environmental Toxicology
   ENVR 5101 Environmental Chemistry I (3 credits)
   *ENVR 5220 Sampling and Analysis (4 credits)
   *ENVR 5260 Risk Assessment and Auditing (3 credits)
   ENVR 5500 Environmental Toxicology (4 credits)
   Electives approved by Center advisor (1 credit)
6. Geohydrology
   ENVR 5050 Geochemistry (3 credits)
   *ENVR 5220 Sampling and Analysis (4 credits)
   GEOL 5211 Environmental Hydrogeology (3 credits)
   GEOL 5212 Hydrogeology (3 credits)
   Electives approved by Center advisor (2 credits)

 Subtotal 15 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Degree 35 Credits

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT
All graduate students in Environmental Studies are required to demonstrate competency in the computer application of statistics. This requirement is to be satisfied by the completion of the following course with a grade of B or better: SCI 6350 Computer Applications in Statistics, 3 credits.