Masters research thesis option
This is a traditional two year program emphasizing both course work and thesis research within the interdisciplinary framework of ESE. Graduate assistantships in this program are limited and highly competitive. Students complete 24 credit course requirements, along with professional development activities. Students in this option are expected to engage in environmental research and defend their thesis by the end of the second year.
Graduate assistantships are highly competitive for this program, and students who are accepted into the MS thesis program tend to have previous research experience and an excellent academic history.
Application Requirements*:
Previous research or environmental project experience
College GPA of 3.3/4.0
GRE: Verbal + Quantitative combined 1200 + , Analytical writing score of 4.0 or better.
The Graduate School accepts all valid TOEFL scores, including those earned through the Internet-based test, paper-based test, and computer-based test. The minimum paper-based test score required for admission is 550. The Graduate School's minimum computer-based test score required for admission is 213. The minimum Internet-based test scores required for admission are the following:
Writing 18
Speaking 18
Listening 14
Reading 19
Total 77
Note that in addition to required minimum scores for writing, speaking, listening, and reading, the Graduate School also requires a minimum overall score that is higher than the minimums for the four area tests combined. Applicants must meet or exceed each of the five scores (listed above) for admission to the Graduate School. Some graduate programs require higher minimum scores. Please check the program instruction pages for additional requirements.
*exceptions are decided on a case by case basis (i.e. exceptional work or research experience, etc.)
Course pre-requisites
1 year of college level calculus, 2 years of college-level science (chemistry, physics, and biology), and a statistics course. Please note that students do not need to have an engineering background to enter the ESE program, unless they are considering a PhD that focuses on engineering research.
For applicants that have completed an MS in ESE, they will have fullfilled the course requirements of the program, but will take seminar and other ESE courses and outlined by their graduate committee and ESE Graduate Head.
View a timeline for the Masters thesis Program (PDF)
Applicants to the MS program are strongly encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors early in the process.