The concurrent J.D./M.S. degree program offers students an opportunity to combine the study of scientific, social, philosophical, and legal aspects of environmental issues. This program equips students for jobs in which the technical knowledge offered through the Environmental Science Program and the professional expertise provided by the College of Law would be beneficial. 

Students must apply separately to and be admitted by the College of Graduate Studies/Environmental Science Program, the College of Law, and the Concurrent J.D./M.S. Degree Program. Admission into the concurrent degree program is dependent on a demonstrated ability to excel in an intense, interdisciplinary educational environment. 

Students must complete the requirements set out above for an M.S. degree in environmental science and the requirements for a J.D. (see the College of Law section) subject to the following conditions. The first year of study will be exclusively in the College of Law. Because the concurrent degree program requires an M.S. thesis, the fourth year of the program will be primarily in the Environmental Science Program. Up to 12 hours of M.S. graduate credit will be allowed toward the J.D. degree and up to 6 hours of law credit will be allowed toward the M.S. degree from pre-approved lists of classes. This will permit a student to complete the concurrent degree program in as little as four years. If a student fails to complete the master's degree program, no more than 6 credits will be allowed toward the J.D. degree; if a student fails to complete the law program, the student will be required to satisfy all requirements of the Environmental Science Program before receiving the M.S. degree. 

Questions regarding the concurrent degree program should be addressed to each program:

Environmental Science Program coordinator 
Phone: (208/885-6113) 
Email: envs@uidaho.edu

and contact 

College of Law 
Phone: (208/885-6423)
Email: lawadmit@uidaho.edu


College of Law Courses

Administrative Law -- Law 907 (3 cr)  Fall

Environmental Law -- Law 947 (3 cr)  Fall
Environmental planning and protection, regulation of air and water pollution, waste disposal, use of pesticides and other toxic chemicals, and remedies for environmental injury.

Natural Resources: Law and History -- Law 936 (3 cr)  Spring alternate years
An historical examination of the role of law in shaping the evolution of resource use and management in the Pacific Northwest.

Natural Resources Law and Policy Seminar -- Law 906 (3 cr)  Spring alternate years
A seminar on selected topics in natural resource law and policy.  Recent topics have included: Wildlife Law; Public Land Grazing; the Endangered Species Act.

Public Land Law -- Law 948 (3 cr)  Spring
History of the federal public lands; examination of constitutional status of such lands, federal-state relations, and the conservation and management of resources located on such lands.

Water Law -- Law 942 (3 cr)  Fall 
Acquisition and scope of water rights, water pollution control and other environmental regulations, water distribution organizations, federal-state relations in water resource management.

Environmental Science Courses

Advanced Topics in Conservation Biology -- WLF 515 (2 cr)  Spring alternate years 
Development of a depth of understanding of the basic principles of conservation biology  through study of case histories of endangered species recovery efforts; political as well as biological and economic aspect of recovery efforts through a series of lectures and discussions with exposure to new developments in the fast evolving field of conservation biology; emphasis on issues with which professors or visiting lecturers have personal research and experience.  

Special Topics Conservation Biology -- WLF 504

American Environmental History -- Hist J524 (3 cr)              History of changing American attitudes and actions toward the environment over three centuries.

Behavioral Ecology -- WLF 441 (3 cr)  Fall alternate years            Principles of behavioral ecology in animals (vertebrates and invertebrates); using extensive theoretical and empirical findings in ethology, sociobiology, evolution, and ecomorphology to focus on questions pertaining to animal adaptation and learning; scientific literature in behavioral ecology; link between behavioral ecology and wildlife conservation and management.   

Conservation Biology -- WLF ID&WS 440 WSU NATRS 450) (3 cr)  Spring (UI); Fall (WSU)

Environmental Assessment -- Geog WS544 (WSU ES/RP 544) (3 cr)  Spring 
Analysis of environmental impact statements and their legal framework; methods of environmental assessment and team development of an impact statement.  Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students.

Environmental Law -- WLF 493 (2 cr)  Fall
Laws governing resource administration and environmental impacts.

Environmental Philosophy -- Phil 452 (3 cr)  Fall 

Hazardous Waste Management -- EnvS WS-J545 (WSU ES/RP 545) (3 cr)  Spring 
Environmental, technical, and political aspects of hazardous waste management; evaluative methods, risk assessment, and current management requirements.  Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students.

Interdisciplinary Natural Resource Planning -- For 470 (3 cr)  Spring
Land use planning and decision making theories, legislation and techniques applied to natural resource case studies from the public and private sector, including impact assessment, creation and valuation of alternatives, and public involvement.  Two hours of lecture, 2 hours of lab, and 1 hour of recitation a week; one 1-day field trip.

Land and Resource Regulation Seminar -- Geog 520 (3-6 cr, max 6)  Spring
Current legal issues in land use control and mineral resource management.

Natural Resource and Environmental Economics -- AgEc 551 (3 cr)  Spring
Allocation of natural resources over time and among uses; environmental policy; welfare economics; project evaluation and benefit cost analysis; valuation of extramarket goods.   

Natural Resource Policy Development -- For 584 (2 cr) 
The development of natural resource policy with emphasis on the policy process in the legislative branch of the U.S. government; the role of and interrelationships between staff, committees, agencies, and elected officials; the relationship of science and scientists with policy and politicians in the development of natural resource policy, including preparation of testimony related to natural resource science and policy issues.  

Natural Resources: Law and History/Western Environmental Legal History -- PolS 461/Law 936 (3 cr)  Spring alternate years            
Examination of the role of the environment in history; focus on the West, its resources and the role of the law; content will vary depending on interests of instructor and students. 

Politics of the Environment -- PolS J564 (3 cr)  Fall 

Public Involvement in Natural Resource Management -- RRT ID486 (WSU NATRS 477) (3 cr)  Spring alternate years 

Public Policy -- PolS J539 (3 cr)  alternate years 

Seminar in Resource Geography -- Geog 527 (3 cr)  Fall 

Social Ecology of Natural Resources -- For 586 (3 cr)  Spring alternate years 
Social theory and methods relevant to resource management; interdisciplinary examination of specific natural resource issues such as fire management, wilderness, fisheries disputes, energy policy; emphasis on understanding social aspects of natural resources within an ecological perspective.