Curriculum

The Energy, Environment, and Society (EES) program is part of the Environmental Systems Graduate Program at Humboldt State University. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the program, students may enter with a variety of undergraduate degrees and work experiences.

Arne Jacobson with students Steve Hackett at the board

Recommended Program Prerequisites:

An appropriate undergraduate degree in natural or social sciences is required. Prior coursework in areas including elementary statistics & 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 coursework, but this may extend time in the program.

Program Requirements:

Course requirements for the program include a set of classes that are common to the Environmental Systems Graduate Program, three courses that are specific to the EES option, and at least three additional elective courses that are chosen as a coherent package in an area of interest for the student. Students must complete a minimum of 30 units of coursework to receive a master's degree in Environmental Systems. Each student must also complete a master's project or thesis.

Sarah Goldthwait with students Ranjit testing a stove design Juliette working with a fuel cell

Environmental Systems Required Courses
Course Description Total Units
SCI 501 Graduate Orientation in Environmental Systems 1
SCI 530 Environmental Systems Data Collection & Analysis 4
SCI 697 Special Topics in Environmental Systems 3-4
SCI 698 Graduate Colloquium in Environmental Systems 1-3
Energy, the Environment, and Society Option Required Courses
Course Description Total Units
ENGR 532 Energy, the Environment, and Society 4
ECON 580 Economics of a Sustainable Energy Future 4
*ENGR 533 Energy and Climate Change 4
*ENGR 535 Development Technology 4

* students must take ENGR 532, ECON 580, and either ENGR 533 or ENGR 535

In addition, students must take a series of at least three approved elective courses at the upper division or graduate level. These elective courses should form a coherent package in an area of interest to the student. A minimum of 30 total units are required to complete the degree.

Additional Information

International Students can obtain additional information about graduate studies at Humboldt State University at the International Student Website.