Master of Science - Environmental Sciences

Environmental Sciences is a multidisciplinary study of the natural/physical environment. Academic fields involved in environmental sciences include chemistry, biology and ecology, physics, geology, geography, anthropology, engineering, political science, law, economics, and health sciences. Students planning to pursue the MS in Environmental Sciences must either have earned a bachelor’s degree or have taken significant course work in natural/physical sciences or engineering and completed several other prerequisites.

Environmental careers encompass a broad range of professions, from those with a strong foundation in the natural/physical sciences or engineering to those based in the social sciences and/or humanities. Students interested in environmental issues and careers should investigate the whole field before deciding which path to follow. At CU Denver, the MS in Environmental Sciences emphasizes the natural/physical sciences and engineering with the addition of social sciences and humanities.

The MS in Environmental Sciences degree is designed to provide training in engineering, natural/physical sciences, and social sciences. The goals of the program are:

Students will receive instruction in the physical and biological dynamics of various ecosystems, environmental engineering, and socioeconomic issues associated with environmental analysis.

Graduates of the MS in Environmental Sciences program are involved in many different areas, such as reviewing environmental impact statements, monitoring groundwater quality, and communicating with the public. Many students have found employment in various agencies (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado State Department of Public Health and Environment) and private sector environmental and engineering firms.