ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (MS)
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.
Required Courses
You’ll take a total of 13 courses, whether you choose the professional or thesis track.
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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