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MS Earth Systems Science

 

MS Earth Systems Science

Degree Description [top]

The innovative, interdisciplinary MS in Earth Systems Science addresses the growing national and regional demand for trained professionals in Earth systems science and applications. The MS in Earth Systems Science (ESS) emphasizes a research-oriented global systems approach to the study of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, including their interrelationships and their interactions with the biosphere. Emphasis is on the observation and quantitative analysis of Earth systems science with a global perspective, and which involves the biological and human dimensions. This is particularly important as societal, governmental, such as NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, and international, such as IGBP, Earth science program priorities evolve to include biological and human dimensions.

The degree builds on the large amount of expertise available in the three participating units (School of Computational Sciences, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, and Department of Geography) to produce a very innovative and unique MS that conforms to modern trends in Earth systems science and applications. As such, the degree will serve:

  • Students seeking advancement in their current career (e.g. at national labs or in industry) related to Earth science fields and applications, or planning to enter a new field.
  • Students en route to the relevant doctoral degrees at GMU, such as the concentration in the CSI doctoral program in remote sensing and climate dynamics; and the Environmental Science and Policy doctoral program.
  • Students from existing undergraduate programs at GMU who are interested in pursuing an MS in ESS.

The objectives will be met by a program that focuses on the needs for a global Earth science systems approach for professionals working at many federal labs in the Washington, D.C. such as NASA and NOAA, as well as industry. These institutions employ many professionals who could become potential students enrolled in the MS As such, most courses are offered in the late afternoon or early evening to accommodate students with full-time employment outside the university.
At the time of completion, students should be able to:

  • Possess basic knowledge in the various components of the Earth and its processes.
  • Apply analytical skills in pursuing Earth science.
  • Appreciate the importance of the global cycles and interconnections.
  • Work collaboratively in interdisciplinary groups.

 

Admission Requirements [top]

In addition to meeting the university admission requirements, applicants to the MS program in Earth Systems Science must satisfy the following entrance requirements:

  • BS degree in Earth, environmental or physical science preferred.
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate degree.
  • Satisfactory performance on GRE-GEN exam.
  • TOEFL exam is required for foreign applicants unless they hold a degree from a US school.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Two semesters of calculus, chemistry and physics, one semester of statistics.
  • Complete transcripts of all college course work.

Applicants failing to satisfy one or more of the above requirements for full admission may be considered for provisional admission on a case-by-case basis. For information about admissions, please see the School of Computational Sciences website.

Program Structure [top]
The general academic requirements for completion of the MS in ESS are organized into several areas:

  • Earth Systems Science Core Courses - covering the basic areas of atmosphere,
    hydrosphere and lithosphere, emphasizing global cycles and interrelationships.
  • Courses providing training in the tools for ESS, including observations and quantitative techniques.
  • Courses covering human and biological perspectives, essential to any integrated understanding of the Earth systems and global cycles and change.
  • Electives
  • Colloquium providing basic information on the various science disciplines and an advanced "capstone" seminar focusing on student and faculty research projects.
  • Thesis or research project.

Students can choose a 6-credit thesis option or a 3-credit research project option. The thesis will provide exposure to professional science research. The thesis will conform to science standards, can be extended beyond one semester, and must be defended in front of a committee. A student may prefer a shorter project under the guidance of a single faculty member rather than a thesis committee. Research projects will not need to be defended, however students selecting the project option must pass a qualifying exam. Students selecting the 3-credit project option will be required to take 3 more credits of coursework than students in the 6-credit thesis option.
The scientific component of the proposed MS degree centers on specific Earth science scientific areas but also emphasizes the global cycles, human and biological perspectives that can lead to an understanding of the complexity of global climate change.
The program is structured to provide flexibility in order for students to either pursue a research and academic career or to acquire sufficient knowledge of the basics of Earth systems science and the requisite tools. The science electives are courses for further specialization, such as oceanography, climate studies, etc. Students are encouraged to undertake an optional master's thesis for more in-depth studies; or a research project that allows them exposure to research. In the latter case, students will have to pass a qualifying exam.

Curriculum [top]

Candidates for the MS degree in Earth Systems Science must successfully complete 30 credit hours as follows:

Earth Science Core (9 credits)

  • CSI 655 Intro to Physics and Chemistry of Atmosphere (3 credits)
  • CSI 656/EVPP 652/*GEOG 570 The Hydrosphere (3 credits) - NEW COURSE
  • CSI 657/GEOL 601/*GEOG 671 The Lithosphere (3 credits) - NEW COURSE
    *(existing course to cross list)

Earth Observations (3 credits)

  • CSI 753 Observations of Earth and its Climate, or
  • GEOG 579 Remote Sensing

Quantitative Techniques (3 credits)

  • GEOG 585 Quantitative Methods, or
  • CSI 754 Earth Observing/Remote Sensing Data and Data Systems

Human and Biological Perspectives (3 Credits):

  • CSI 750 Earth Systems and Global Change
  • EVPP 577 Biogeochemistry: A Global Perspective
  • EVPP 636 Human Dimensions of Global Change
  • CSI 759/EVPP 741/GEOG 590 (Special Topics)
  • GEOG 575 Reconstructing Past Environments
  • GEOG 670 Applied Climatology

Electives (3-6 credits):
Electives should be selected from the menu (below) of approved courses, any course in the above categories, or appropriate coursework approved by advisor and committee

  • CSI 751 Introduction to the Physical Climate Systems
  • CSI 752 Physical and Dynamical Oceanography
  • CSI 755 Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics
  • CSI 756 Ocean Dynamics and Ocean Modeling
  • CSI 757 Techniques and Algorithms in Earth Observing and Remote Sensing
  • CSI 773/STAT 663 Statistical Graphics and Data Exploration
  • EVPP 503 Field Mapping Techniques
  • EVPP 546 Estuarine and Coastal Ecology
  • EVPP 550 Waterscape Ecology
  • EVPP 630 Intermediate Quantitative Methods
  • EVPP 644 Wetland Ecology
  • CSI 759/EVPP 741/GEOG 590 (Special Topics)
  • GEOG 562 Photogrammetry
  • GEOG 580 Digital Remote Sensing
  • GEOG 785 Geographic Fieldwork
  • PHYS 590/CSI 759 Hyperspectral Imaging
  • STAT 652/CSI 672 Statistical Inference
  • STAT 656/CSI 676 Regression Analysis

Colloquium/Seminar (3 hours)

  • *CSI 899/EVPP 791/GEOG 791 Colloquium in Earth Systems Science (1 credit)
  • CSI 792/EVPP 792/GEOG 792 Seminar in Earth Systems Science (2 credits)
    *(existing course to cross list)

Research (3 - 6 credits)

  • *CSI 798/EVPP 798/GEOG 750 Research Project (3 credits); or
  • *CSI 799/EVPP 799/GEOG 799 Thesis (6 credits)
    *(new courses to cross list with existing listed)

Total: 30 hours required.

Sample Course Schedules [top]

Students enrolled in the interdisciplinary MS program in ESS will be presented with many options as they work with their advisor to design an appropriate curriculum, based on their background and interests. We present below two such sample course schedules based on various student interests.
Example 1: Three Hour Research Project Option
Fall Year 1:

  • Atmosphere (3)
  • Hydrosphere (3)
  • Colloquium (1)

Spring Year 1:

  • Lithosphere (3)
  • Quantitative Techniques (3)

Fall Year 2:

  • Human/Biological (3)
  • Earth Observing (3)
  • Seminar (2)

Spring Year 2:

  • Electives (6)
  • Project* (3)

*Project CSI 798/EVPP 798/GEOG 750 (3 credits)-in this case student needs to take qualifying exam
Total: 30 credits

Example 2: Six Hour Thesis Option
Fall Year 1:

  • Atmosphere (3)
  • Hydrosphere (3)
  • Colloquium (1)

Spring Year 1:

  • Lithosphere (3)
  • Quantitative Techniques (3)

Fall Year 2:

  • Human/Biological (3)
  • Earth Observing (3)
  • Seminar (2)

Spring Year 2:

  • Electives (3)
  • Thesis* (6)

*CSI 799/EVPP 799/GEOG 799 Master's Thesis (6 credits)
Total: 30 credits