Whether it is a MS in Environmental Sciences Or a Masters of Environmental Studies/Science Is not as important as what your degree actually is when you look at the transcript. Many schools have thesis and non-thesis versions of both of these names.
Probably the most important thing is whether the degree is really environmental science? Many schools offer a degree in environmental science, but what they are really teaching is an environmentally skewed biology or chemistry program or policy program. A true Environmental Science program is multidisciplinary and should train students to be interdisciplinary team members with their own specialization. In a modern Environmental Sciences Program students will take key courses in environmental policy and law, biology, chemistry, and economics. For example, a sample of a typical core curriculum for a bonified environmental sciences MS might compose the following: A named course in each of the following: Environmental Policy (taught taught by a Pol. Sci) Environmental Chemistry (taught by a chemist) Environmental Economics (taught by an economist) Enviornmental Biology (taught by a biologist) Then, a series of electives such as the following (some of these should be present!): Environmental Risk Assessment Environmental Remediation Environmental Impact Assessment Ecotoxicology Environmental Toxicology Atmospheric Chemistry Water Chemistry Public Health Conservation Biology Geographic Information Systems Ecology And of course other typical and specialized graduate courses in Political Science, Economics, Biology, and Chemistry. Add to this specializations in environmental psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology. Basically if there is a degree in it, you can add "environmental" to the front and you have a specialization within the area of environmental science/studies. By no means have I covered all of the courses, but if you are interested in the biology end of environmental sciences, those are key courses that should be in your curriculum. Malcolm L. McCallum -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of E. Ann Poole Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 11:09 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: what is in a name? In my experience, a "Masters in Environmental Studies" refers to a = Master of Arts in Environmental Studies and focuses more on geography, = socioeconomics and/or policy where as an MSc (Master of Science) in = Environmental Science focuses on science (chemistry, biology, geology, = etc.). To my knowledge, no school confers a "Master of Environmental = Studies" (MEnvSt?). ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ E. Ann Poole, Ecological & Environmental Consultancy PO Box 890, 741 Beard Rd, Hillsborough, NH 03244 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 603.478.1178 www.eannpoole.com ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Lauchlan Fraser=20 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 7:59 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] what is in a name? We are developing a thesis-based masters program in environmental studies. Ecology, social sciences and economics are equally important in the development of our program. We are considering two names: 1. Masters of Environmental Studies 2. MSc in Environmental Studies Some of us think that a 'Masters of Environmental Studies' has the perception of lacking rigour and that it will automatically be thought of by others as a degree without a thesis. Some of us think that an 'MSc in Environmental Studies' is biased towards science and therefore lacks the true spirit of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental issues. I am very interested to hear the lists thoughts on this = issue. Sincerely, Lauch Fraser Thompson Rivers University [EMAIL PROTECTED]
