Enviromental Sciences M.S.
Getting Started
Admission to the Program:
Specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
2. Completion of an undergraduate major in geology, chemistry or associated fields (e.g., biology or environmental studies with at least 30 quarter units of upper-division course work);
3. One year each of laboratory courses in: general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics;
4. One full-term course in basic calculus or methods in calculus;
5. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.8 in all courses used for credit in the major;
6. Completion of the graduate entrance writing requirement;
7. Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to the environmental sciences graduate committee;
8. Submission to the environmental sciences graduate committee of a one-page, typewritten statement of the student's preparation for graduate study, goals in the graduate program, potential area of research and possible advisor (for thesis option) and professional goals following completion of the M.S.;
9. Submission of three letters of recommendation from people who are in a position to make relevant comments on the student's intent and potential for success in the program. At least two of the letters should be from current or former college or university faculty familiar with the student's scholarship and related activities.
Application deadlines for fall, winter and spring quarter admission are May 1, October 1, and January 15, respectively.
Advancement to Candidacy
To be advanced to candidacy, the student must have:
1. Achieved classified status;
2. Been accepted by a major advisor from the environmental science program;
3. Completed at least 15 quarter units of work applicable to the degree program as a graduate student at this university with the approval of the environmental sciences graduate committee, and with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B");
4. Gained a recommendation for advancement to candidacy from the graduate committee;
5. Submitted a formal program of graduate course work prepared in consultation with and approved by the graduate committee;
6. Gained final approval of the program and of the candidacy itself by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Please refer to the University catalog at http://catalog.csusb.edu for official information.