Downloadable MS Water Science at a Distance Information (PDF)

Introduction 
The Environmental Science Program offers a MS degree at a distance. The area of specialization is water science. Most courses are offered via the world wide web. Applicable courses may also be taken through Engineering Outreach at the 400- and 500-level. Supporting courses in mathematics and in probability and statistics are available. Courses used to satisfy degree requirements must be approved by the program director.

Admission Requirements 
Admission to the Environmental Science graduate program is open to students who meet all of the following requirements: 

   1.  Baccalaureate degree 
   2.  Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher as part of the degree
   3.  Competitive GRE score
   4.  TOEFL score of 550 or higher (international students only) 

Application Materials 
Submit all of the following to: 

   University of Idaho
   Graduate Admissions
   PO Box 443019
   Moscow, ID 83844-3019

1. Application for Admission to the College of Graduate Studies·

This may be submitted electronically at
Designate Environmental Science www.students.uidaho.edu/gradadmissions Outreach on application.

2. Application fee 

3. Two official transcripts from each college or university attended 

4. Statement of purpose and area of specialty – please identify yourself as a distance education student in your statement

5. Resume´

6. Three letters of reference

7. GRE scores

8. TOEFL score (international students only) 

Arrangements to take the TOEFL may be made by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, PO Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 or request a registration bulletin form online at www.toefl.org/regcentr.html

Educational Testing Service sends scores directly to the Graduate Admissions office

Deadlines
Spring Semester                        November 15
Fall Semester                           June 1

Deficiency Courses

All students must meet basic requirements in math, statistics, English, biological science, physical science and social science (see table below for details). You may be asked to provide catalog copies of the course descriptions. If you are deficient in some of the courses necessary for preparation for this degree, you will need to make these courses part of your study plan and complete them before you graduate with your MS.

Program Requirements

Candidates must fulfill the requirements of the of Graduate Studies and of the Program in Environmental Science. See the College of Graduate Studies section of the UI catalog (part 4) for the general requirements applicable to each degree.

Master of Science (non-thesis option)

Each student’s MS non-thesis advisory committee will be composed of his or her faculty advisor, who is a member of the EnvS faculty, and the Director of the Environmental Science Program. Additional committee members are optional. Each student will design a study plan in consultation with his/her committee. The study plan will also be subject to approval by the Graduate College.

There are five requirements for the M.S. non-thesis degree in environmental science: (1) Depth requirement:  the graduate program is structured around three option areas, biological science, physical science, or social science. A student must complete 12 - 15 credits in one of the three option areas; (2)  Breadth requirement: A student must complete a minimum of 3 credits at the MS level in each of the other two option areas (to total 6 – 9 cr.); (3) A student must complete one course (3 cr.) in appropriate research methods or statistics at the 500 level; (4) EnvS 501, environmental science seminar, 3 cr.; and, (5) EnvS 599 (3 cr.). These requirements may be augmented to compensate for undergraduate deficiencies.

With the approval of the student’s committee, up to 12 credits may be transferred from another institution and included in the student’s curriculum.

The non-thesis degree program requires at least 30 graduate credits, including a minimum of 3 credits of EnvS 599 (Nonthesis Research) and 27 credits of course work. For the non-thesis option, at least 21 credits in the option and supporting area must be at the 500 level, including 3 hours of non-thesis research (EnvS 599). A student can take up to 9 credits at the 400 level in the option and supporting area (one class can be at the 300 level in a supporting area with program approval). The non-thesis research part of the program for each student consists of a substantial project in which the student demonstrates ability to do rigorous independent work. The students’ advisor oversees the project. Once completed, the project must be evaluated and approved by the student’s committee.

 SAMPLE

Biological/Physical Science Option
Study Plan in Environmental Science – Water Science Emphasis (M.S.)

*9 credits maximum at the 400 level for the entire degree

**Seminar credits are earned in the student's community by attending local environmental science events.  Contact the program office for details.

Three-Year Plan

Course descriptions and numbers may be changed at any time by the University of Idaho Curriculum Committee. Be sure to check current semester offerings for updated descriptions. The Environmental Science Program and Engineering Outreach plan to offer the following courses during the next three years.  Changes in faculty and student enrollments may produce changes to this three-year plan. Students preparing a graduate study plan should work with the program director or advisor. Questions regarding the availability of a course should be directed to the department chair. Course descriptions are available in the University of Idaho General Catalog, or at http://www.students.uidaho.edu/catalogs

EO – Engineering Outreach (www.outreach.uidaho.edu/eo)
Compressed video – available in Idaho Falls and Moscow
www – available anywhere on the World Wide Web

Graduation Time Line

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