Page 208 of San José State University Fall 2006 - Spring 2008 Catalog by San José State University

208 MS Environmental Studies Graduate Coordinator: Katherine Cushing; Advisors: Rachel OMalley, Gary Klee, Lynne Trulio Requirements for Admission to Classified Standing Basic requirements for admission to the Graduate Division are outlined in the Admissions section of this catalog. Contact the department or see our admissions materials for specific application deadlines. For admission to classified standing the department requires the following: 1. An undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies or a related field from an accredited institution. 2. A 3.0 or B overall grade point average for the last 60 semester units of academic study. 3. The capability, in the opinion of the graduate committee, of successfully completing the degree requirements. 4. The removal of deficiencies if preparation differs markedly from the BS Environmental Studies at San Jos State University (BA students may be required to complete general science background). Courses used to remove such deficiencies cannot be used to fulfill MS requirements. For further information see graduate coordinator. 5. A satisfactory score on the official Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE). Please note that no specialty is required. The exam results are used as an advisory tool, not as the sole determinant of admittance (or rejection) into the program. 6. Two letters of recommendation from university faculty members. 7. A personal statement of purpose that describes your background and goals and objectives for seeking the MS Environmental Studies at SJSU. This letter should also convey a sense of focus and direction for thesis research. 8. A minimum score of 580 on the TOEFL exam for foreign students. Requirements for Admission to Conditionally Classified Standing If not accepted into classified standing, the applicant may qualify for the conditionally classified status for which the following will be required: the ability, in the opinion of the departmental graduate committee, to remove deficiencies in a period not to exceed the equivalent of one full-time semester of course work. Requirements for Admission to Candidacy for the Masters Degree The student may be admitted to candidacy for the MS Environmental Studies by complying with requirements of the university, as outlined in this catalog. Completing Requirements for the Masters Degree In consultation with the department graduate coordinator, the candidate will develop and pursue a program of study. The candidate must successfully complete all requirements of the selected plan including the course work specified in the Masters Degree Approval Program. The University requires that all graduate students demonstrate competency in written English as a condition for advancement to candidacy. Please refer to the SJSU catalog section titled Competency in Written English for details. For graduate courses that meet the competency in written English requirement, please refer to the Graduate Studies and Research website at www.sjsu.edu/gradstudies. Semester Units Plan A (with Thesis) .........................................30 Seminars ......................................................9 ENVS 200, ENVS 250 and ENVS 297 Thesis ...........................................................6 ENVS 299 Electives .....................................................15 100 or 200-level courses in environmental studies or related fields selected with advisors approval. At least 9 elective units must be in the form of field analysis, internship experience, laboratory work, or other form of application science. Plan B (without Thesis) ...................................30 Under rare circumstances, a very strong project of appropriate scope and depth for masters level work might be approved in lieu of the thesis. This option requires the written consent of at least two graduate advisors, the graduate coordinator and the department chair. In addition to the required coursework, Plan B students will take comprehensive examinations on four topics to be arranged by the students project committee. Seminars ......................................................9 ENVS 200, ENVS 250 and ENVS 297 Project ..........................................................6 ENVS 298 Electives .....................................................15 At least 9 of the total 15 elective units must be in the form of field analysis, internship experience, laboratory work, or other form of application science. Elective courses must be 100- or 200level in environmental studies or related field with advisors approval. Total Units Required............................................30 Courses Environmental Studies Lower Division ENVS 001. Introduction to Environmental Issues What effects are human activities having on the natural environment and our quality of life? Discover the technical and social causes of environmental degradation; learn how your personal and career choices can protect the environment for current and future generations. GE: D3 3 units ENVS 010. Life on a Changing Planet An introduction to basic knowledge and theory in the life sciences, focusing on the theme of environmental change. Examines challenging issues in biology and methods for evaluating conflicting data and claims. Develops students analytical and writing skills. Prerequisite: As required for Core GE courses in B2. GE: B2 3 units Upper Division ENVS 100W. Environmental Research and Writing Advanced research and writing skills for future environmental professionals. Focus on issues, literature and challenges associated with environmental writing. Emphasis on writing for technical and general audiences. Prerequisite: Engl 1B (with a grade of C or better); Completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing; declared major in environmental studies. ABC/NC GE: Z 3 units ENVS 105. Environmental Change and Problems, San Francisco Bay Area Systematic inquiry into physical environments of the San Francisco Bay Area, with emphasis on impacts and changes to those systems by human action. Analysis of public action and policies regarding regional environmental issues. Prerequisite: EnvS 1 and EnvS 100W. Notes: Offered only occasionally. 3 units ENVS 107. Introduction to Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis of basic economic and political factors related to the environmental crisis. Surveys policy approaches to the problem: regulation, taxes, subsidies, cost benefit analysis. Prerequisite: Econ 1B or instructor consent. 3 units ENVS 108. Topics in Cost-Benefit Analysis See ECON 108. 3 units ENVS 110. Resource Analysis Quantitative analysis of Earths natural resources. Topics typically include the status and trends of resources such as topsoil, agriculture, water, energy, wildlife and the impacts of human population growth on these resources. Emphasis is on problem solving and computational methods applied to resource management problems. Prerequisite: EnvS 1, EnvS 10, Stat 95. 3 units

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