Environmental Science and Sustainability MS
Program Purpose
The Master of Science Program in Environmental Science provides students with opportunities for research in the one of the following areas of study: plant science, environmental science, or soil science. Underpinning this program is the concept of being well prepared in the basic sciences; chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Students who graduate with a Master of Science will be highly qualified for admission to other universities for further graduate studies. These students will be academically well prepared, will demonstrate integrity and character, and will be spiritually well balanced. Students will be imbued with the attitude that (1) learning is a life-long process, (2) service to church and community are essential for a full life, and (3) and that these attributes will allow them to make significant contributions to their professions. The curriculum is flexible and has been designed to meet the needs of individual students. Evidence that this program is achieving it goals comes from the placement of graduate students at leading universities in the United States. The students are vigorously sought after by these universities. Each student graduating from this program has the opportunity to interview at several schools to determine the environment most suitable to them. The interviewing schools pay all travel costs related to these interviews. This demand for these students is evidence that the curriculum supports the program purpose and goals.
Curricular Structure
Course Purposes and Goals
Each professor sets the purpose and goals of their courses. Each course is designed to contribute to the two graduate degrees offered by the department. The purposes and goals of the courses are specifically set up to support the program purpose and goals. The purposes and goals of each course are published in syllabi which are made available to students at the beginning of each semester the courses are taught.
The requirements for graduate study in the department are published in the Handbook for Graduate Studies in Agronomy and Genetics and Biotechnology. This handbook is made available to each entering graduate student.Each course in the graduate program.
Learning Outcomes
Effective Communication and Publication
Communicate their scientific findings effectively in oral presentation and in writing (i.e., publication in a peer-reviewed journal, conference poster or oral presentation).
Conduct meaningful research using fundamental scientific principles and processes of analytical procedures and instrumentation.
Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate statistical methods for analysis of data generated in their research area.
Demonstrate an understanding of how your research influences society and foster and promote environmental stewardship within your realm of influence and your community.
Evidence of Learning
The following student assessment information will be collected each year and reported to the Department Chair and Departmental Graduate Coordinating Committee:
- Assessment of student performance in each course comes via writing experiences, midterm examinations, in-class presentations, and final examinations.
- Each student takes a two- to three-hour oral presentation and examination at the end of their graduate program to assess whether or not they have acquired the knowledge, statistical, technical, and reasoning skills and tools expected of them.
- Students' final written project (their Master's Degree Thesis) will be evaluated to determine if it is written in the format required of peer-reviewed journals in their field.
- Students will be required to submit papers resulting from their thesis research to peer-reviewed journals.
- Monitor acceptance rate in to PhD. Programs.
- Exit interviews will be conducted with each student to assess the experience every student had in the program.
Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement
The Graduate Coordinating Committee within the department serves as monitor for levels of student achievement. This committee has an annual review with each graduate student to monitor their progress. It also serves as the curriculum committee for the graduate program and regularly interacts with professor within the department and the college graduate committee on curriculum matters.
Data is collected and analyzed each time a course is taught and this information is reviewed by the Graduate Coordinating Committee.