University master’s degree requirements must be met. In addition, specific degree program requirements are listed below.
The graduate study program is developed through discussions involving the graduate student, the student’s adviser, and the student’s graduate committee. The M.E.M. graduate committee consists of at least three members including the major adviser. The major adviser and one other committee member must be a member of the graduate faculty. The graduate committee must be approved by the SEES Director.
To encourage the development of interdisciplinary graduate study programs, guidelines for course selection are flexible. M.E.M. students must complete at least 45 graduate credits.
Admission Requirements
The following procedures are designed to assure that the student is qualified to pursue both the program itself and a successful career in environmental science and management.
In addition to the instructions for admission to the university graduate program, the MEM program requires the following information from each applicant.
- Three letters of evaluation from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s promise as a graduate student.
- Evidence of undergraduate or graduate coursework in biology, chemistry, statistics, physics, and/or mathematics; or policy, economics, geography, or social sciences approximately equivalent to the foundation course requirements for undergraduate students in environmental science or environmental studies.
- One official transcript from every college or university from which the prospective student was awarded an undergraduate degree and/or graduate-level coursework was completed.
- Statement of Interest.
- Current resume or CV.
- Identification of potential advisers.
Prospective students should contact the program for a statement of current admission policy. A high GPA or GRE scores do not guarantee admission to master’s programs in Environmental Science and Management; admission is contingent on the availability of School resources and the identification of an appropriate adviser for each student.
M.E.M. Requirements
The M.E.M. program of study consists of the following minimum credit requirements:
Courses
| | Core courses (one from each core area selected from program list and EES 511) | 16 |
| ESM 507 | Speakers Series Seminar repeated 3 times, 1 credit per term | 3 |
| | Quantitative analysis (selected from program list) | 4 |
| | Area of concentration | 12 |
| | Elective and supporting courses | 4 |
| ESM 509 | Practicum | 1 |
| ESM 506 | Project | 5 |
Total Credit Hours: 45
Core courses
Core courses are required in physical environmental processes, ecological processes and environmental management for all master’s students. M.E.M. students must also complete a core course in graduate project management (EES 511). Lists of approved core courses are available from the ESM office or online at http://www.pdx.edu/esm.
Quantitative analysis
A course in an appropriate field of research methods, experimental design, or statistical analysis, is required to ensure students have sufficient skills for environmental research.
Elective courses
Elective courses are to be defined in the student’s program of study, and agreed upon by the student’s adviser and graduate committee. Courses may be selected to provide additional background, to explore new areas, and to add depth to a scholastic program.
Thesis or project
A central purpose of the M.E.M. degree is to teach students the process of problem solving and research. A minimum of 6 credits is required. Students working toward the M.E.M. degree will be required to complete a project in lieu of a thesis. M.E.M. students will take: 1 unit of ESM 509 Practicum at the beginning of their program, and 5 units of ESM 506. This project is expected to be the product of original work in cooperation with an agency, organization, firm, or other community partner involved in environmental management activities. The project plan, approach, and project report must be approved by the advisory committee in a manner parallel to that for thesis research. The project report must be presented at a public seminar to be followed by an oral defense of the work conducted by the student’s graduate committee.