The MS in environmental science provides rigor and quantitative skills to guide sound decision making for policy-makers, entrepreneurs, industrials and educators that seek to promote human welfare while preserving the natural world. It not only draws upon course work from the College of the Environment but benefits from the expertise provided by other colleges of WWU. It is directed toward the development and integration of scientific evidence that describes, predicts, and cares for the natural resources that sustain our lives and communities in ways that honor the resiliency of humans and the natural environment. Moreover, it seeks to assess human impacts on those systems and mitigate harm. The program offers specialization in Energy-Environmental Systems, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology. Other research specialties are available among our diverse and decorated faculty.
Goals
The program prepares students to describe, predict and/or manage natural systems and to assess human impacts on those systems. The built environment is also considered with a focus on how it impacts natural systems and on energy solutions.
Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree and college-level course work including a minimum of either:
- One year of general chemistry, one year of general biology, and one course in statistics or data analysis, or;
- One year of general chemistry, one year of physics, two courses in calculus, one course in statistics and one additional physical science or engineering course, or;
- Commensurate coursework as approved by proposed faculty mentor.
Application Information
Admit Quarter: Students will be admitted into the MS in environmental science program fall quarter only.
Deadlines: Because maximum student enrollment is limited, all applicants are strongly encouraged to submit application materials by February 1. Review of materials will begin after that date and will continue until the enrollment limit is reached or on June 1, whichever comes first.
TA Deadline: To be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship, applicants should submit their application materials by February 1 and indicate in the statement of purpose how the prerequisites listed above have or will be met before starting the program.
Supporting Materials:
- An application for admission into the MS program in environmental science must include a one- to two-page statement of purpose indicating which specialization the applicant is most interested in, explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue graduate studies in environmental science, and what future expectations they have for the MS degree.
- The statement may indicate a preferred faculty advisor; students are encouraged to review faculty research interests as described on the College of the Environment website cenv.wwu.edu prior to contacting potential faculty advisors; students are admitted into the program only upon agreement of potential faculty advisors.
For further information, write or consult Ed Weber, the College of the Environment Graduate Program Specialist, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9079, 360-650-3646, [email protected].