Think outside the greenhouse

Through our MS in Environmental Science program, you’ll gain the conservation land management skills and tools necessary to succeed in a wide range of environmentally focused careers.

You’ll be trained in

• ecological restoration
• species and landscape conservation
• biodiversity management
• green infrastructure management
• ecological consultancy

All courses for this program are offered on the Lincoln Park Campus, and the core classes are offered in the evening. The program can be completed in two years.

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Study environmental science in one of the Midwest’s most diverse ecosystems

Chicago’s urban ecosystem is one of the most varied in the Midwest: ideal for fieldwork, exploration and study. The city is home to hundreds of community gardens, preserves and urban farms, including DePaul’s rooftop garden and greenhouse. Explore world-famous institutions such as the Field Museum, Morton Arboretum, Garfield Park Conservatory and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You may begin the program in any quarter.

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, letters of recommendation, personal statement and official transcripts.

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Required Courses

You’ll take a total of 13 courses, whether you choose the professional or thesis track.

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93%

of College of Science and Health graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

Individualized attention from distinctive faculty

You’ll dive into unique explorations of applied environmental science with experts like Associate Professor Mark Potosnak, who studies urban air quality and climate change. He is currently working with the Array of Things, an urban measurement project funded by the National Science Foundation; their work examines questions of environmental justice and ideas for improving the air we breathe.

“I appreciate the tight-knit community and the connections that I have made with my classmates, professors, and professionals in the field—this program has changed my life. I've applied the knowledge that I've gained from my courses to develop and implement my thesis research. I created the Evanston Host Plant Initiative in partnership with Natural Habitat Evanston, in which I am organizing community scientists to grow host plants for the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and take and upload photos of plants and bees to iNaturalist. My project is transdisciplinary, and includes elements of environmental sciences, sociology, and geography.”

Libby

Current MS student

Environmental Science Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Environmental Science MS program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (preferably in environmental science, environmental biology, resource management or a related field) from a regionally accredited institution or be in the process of completing the bachelor’s degree.

Additionally, applicants should have proof of taking the following:

• Applied ecology
• Earth system science or equivalent
• Pre-calculus
• Prerequisite coursework completed by the end of the first year of graduate study

To apply, please submit the following:

• A completed online application
• Official transcripts from all previous college coursework (minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale). Unofficial transcripts can be submitted for the application review. Official transcripts will be required upon admission.
• Two letters of recommendation from science professors or professional supervisors
• A personal statement that explains your interest in the Environmental Science graduate program at DePaul. The statement should specify your career goals and any specific area of interest.

Students educated outside the United States must present proof of English proficiency. The program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 96 on the TOEFL iBT, or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, or a minimum Duolingo score of 125. For additional information for international students please visit our International Student Admission Process page.

Degree Requirements

Core (5 courses)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
ENV 401	INTRODUCTION TO URBAN BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT	4
ENV 402	URBAN ECOLOGY	4
ENV 403	ECOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS WITH R	4
ENV 404	APPLIED ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM	4
ENV 506	SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE: ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS, HUMAN NEEDS, & SYSTEMS THINKING	4

Students Select Either the Professional Track or Thesis Track

Professional Track (2 courses)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
ENV 405	INTERNSHIP	4
ENV 406	INDEPENDENT PROJECT	4

Thesis Track (3 courses)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
ENV 407	RESEARCH FOR MASTER THESIS	4
ENV 450	THESIS RESEARCH (take twice)	4

Electives (4 courses for Professional track, 3 courses for Thesis track)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select 4 courses for Professional track, 3 courses for Thesis track:		12-16
ENV 400	PLANT IDENTIFICATION
ENV 410	ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL SCIENCE
ENV 415	PLANT ECOLOGY
ENV 420	CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
ENV 425	ANIMAL DIVERSITY
ENV 422	ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
ENV 441	URBAN FORESTS AS SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Allied Fields (2 courses)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select two of the following:		8
BIO 415	TOPICS IN ECOLOGY
BIO 417	AQUATIC BIOLOGY
BIO 420	ADVANCED MICROBIOLOGY
BIO 421	MOLECULAR METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
BIO 432	POPULATION ECOLOGY
BIO 435	CONCEPTS IN EVOLUTION
BIO 445	TOPICS IN PALEOBIOLOGY
BIO 489	RESEARCH IN FIELD BIOLOGY
ENV 490	SPECIAL TOPICS
ENV 499	INDEPENDENT STUDY
GEO 440	PLACES, HUMANITIES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
GEO 441	GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
GEO 442	GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
GEO 445	PROGRAMMING IN PYTHON FOR GIS
GEO 446	GIS ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH
GEO 447	WEB GIS AND SPATIAL DATA VISUALIZATION ON THE WEB
GEO 491	STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR GIS
SUD 402	SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT II: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & THE ENVIRONMENT
WRD 526	GRANT AND PROPOSAL WRITING

Students must take GEO 441 or document a comparable competency in Geographical Information Systems.?

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