Environmental Systems

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• Master of Science degree in Environmental Systems ­ options in environmental resources engineering, geology, & mathematical modeling

This program is administered by the coordinator of the Environmental Systems graduate program of the College of Natural Resources and Sciences.

Coordinator
Sharon Brown, PhD
Department of Mathematics
Library 44
(707) 826-4248

Graduate Secretary
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Forestry 101
(707) 826-3256

The Program

The environmental resources engineering option focuses on systems analysis and numerical methods for advanced studies.

Career possibilities include: environmental engineer, water quality engineer, solar engineer, water resources engineer.

The geology option, during its first year, gives a quantitative and qualitative background for research in applied geology. Students usually spend their summers on thesis research. The second year is devoted to research, data analysis, and writing the thesis.

Career possibilities include: field geologist, engineering geologist, exploration geophysicist, hydrologist, and marine geologist.

The mathematical modeling option offers a range of mathematical techniques and applications. Students spend their second year on specific topics involving advanced modeling techniques in solving an environmental problem.

Career possibilities include: mathematical modeler, systems analyst, resources analyst, and teacher.

Preparation

• Earn an approved bachelor's degree for the selected option.
  
  
• Satisfy the general admission requirements.
  
  
• Earn satisfactory test scores from the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination.
  
  
• File a statement of objectives with reasons for pursuing a master's degree with a particular option.
  

Requirements for the Degree

• Complete an environmental systems program of courses arranged with a graduate advisor and approved by the faculty graduate committee. The program must include the core courses below plus an environmental systems option. Background deficiencies may be satisfied by taking approved undergraduate courses.
  
  
• Complete all core course requirements:
  SCI 501 Graduate Orientation in Environmental Systems
  SCI 530 Environmental Systems Data Collection & Analysis
  SCI 697 Topics in Environmental Systems
  SCI 698 Graduate Colloquium in Environmental Systems
  
  
• Complete one of the following options:

Environmental Resources Engineering
Geology
International Development Technology
Mathematical Modeling

• Write an acceptable thesis/project.

Energy, Environment, and Society Option

• Prerequisites: An appropriate under­graduate degree in natural or social sciences is required. Prior course work in areas including elementary statistics and probability, physics, chemistry, calculus, and economics is highly desirable. Engineering and natural science students will benefit from having had at least six semester units of sociology, anthropology, political science, or another related social science. Students who are interested in working internationally should have at least one year of training in a language other than English, or equivalent experience. Deficiencies may be made up concurrently with the required course work, but this may extend time in the program.
  
  
• Required courses: All core requirements listed under Requirements for the Degree plus the following option requirements:
  
  ENGR 532 Energy, the Environment and Society
  ECON 580 Economics of a Sustain able Energy Future
  
  
• And at least one additional course from the following:
  
  ENGR 533 Energy & Climate Change
  ENGR 535 Development Technology
  
  
• Approved upper division and graduate coursesin a coherent package of a minimum of three elective courses that bring the total to at least 30 units.
  

Environmental Resources Engineering Option

• Prerequisites: Applicants should have an undergraduate major in engineering (civil, mechanical, agricultural, chemical, industrial, environmental, or other).
  
  
• Required courses: all core requirements given above plus one of the following:
  ENGR 501 Environmental Systems Analysis I or
  ENGR 521 Advanced Numerical Methods for Engineers
  
  
• Approved upper division and graduate courses in a coherent package to bring total units to 30 (no more than 6 thesis units).

Geology Option

• Prerequisites. Applicants should (a) have an undergraduate major in geology or a related science and (b) submit transcripts and Graduate Record Examination scores in both aptitude and geology. Applicants must have at least a year of college physics and a minimum of two semesters of calculus; three semesters of calculus are desirable.
  
  
• Required courses: all core requirements given above plus option requirements:
  GEOL 550 Fluvial Processes
  GEOL 551 Hillslope Processes
  GEOL 553 Quaternary Stratigraphy
  GEOL 554 Quaternary Geology Field Methods
  GEOL 555 Quaternary Tectonics
  
  
• Approved upper division and graduate courses in a coherent package to bring the total units to 30. Electives generally will be taken within the College of Natural Resources and Sciences.

Mathematical Modeling Option

• Prerequisites: an appropriate undergraduate degree which includes a background in the following areas: linear algebra, numerical analysis, probability and statistics, and differential equations. Deficiencies in any of these areas may be satisfied by taking approved undergraduate courses. The applicant should submit GRE test scores in aptitude and an advanced area.
  
  
• Required courses: all core requirements given above plus option requirements:
  MATH 521 Applied Stochastic Processes
  MATH 561 Dynamic Systems
  MATH 564 Applied Optimization
  MATH 595 Mathematical Modeling Practicum
  MATH 580 Selected Topics in Mathematics (at least three units)
  
  
• Approved upper division courses and graduate courses to bring total units to 30, producing in-depth knowledge of an area of study in environmental systems or natural resources.

College Faculty Preparation Program

A Graduate Certificate in College Teaching: Mathematics

This discipline-specific program is designed to better prepare the graduate student interested in a teaching career at the community college or university level. Participation requires completion of, or current enrollment in, the Mathematics master's program.

The certificate consists of five components (12 units), described below. After consulting with your graduate advisor, and under the advisement of the College Faculty Preparation Program coordinator, develop a plan of study tailored to meet your specific timelines and professional goals. The CFPP coordinator and the dean for Research and Graduate Studies must approve each plan of study.

Notation of certificate completion will appear on your official university transcript.

1) Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods

Introduces undergraduate teaching through a practical presentation of the processes and issues involved in mathematics instruction. One unit taken before first semester and two units taken during first semester of the MS program:
MATH 700 In-Service Professional Development in Mathematics [3 units total]

2) Higher Education Teaching Methods

Guidance in the skills and knowledge relevant to teaching in higher education. Three units, taken first or second semester of the MS program:
EDUC 583 Teaching in Higher Education

Certificate requirements #3 & #4 come after completion of #1 (Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods) and after or concurrent with #2 (Higher Education Teaching Methods).

3) Professional Development Seminar

Explore the nature and philosophy of postsecondary institutions and their roles and functions in higher education. One unit, concurrent with the fourth requirement, which follows.
SP 684 Orientation to Higher Education

4) Mentored Teaching Internship Experience

One of the following tracks:

• Community College Track
  Three units of a mentored teaching experience at College of the Redwoods.
  SP 683 College Faculty Preparation Internship (Note: Students successfully completing this course may apply in later semesters for a paid CR Faculty Internship if positions are available.)

OR

• Pre-doctoral College Track
  Three units of mentored teaching experience at HSU.
  MATH 701 In-Service Professional Development in Mathematics Education[3 units total]

5) Capstone Experience

Guidance in developing a professional teaching portfolio and job-search support materials. Two units, taken after all previous components have been completed.
SP 685 Instructional Resources for Higher Education [2 units]