It is considered to be a terminal degree. Students who plan to go on for a Ph.D. should enroll in the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences degree program. The MESM degree program serves graduate students from 7 departments within URI's College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS):

Community Planning and Landscape Architecture
Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Science
Geosciences
Marine Affairs
Natural Resources Science
Plant Sciences

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
GRE and Bachelor's degree in biological science, physical science, environmental science, natural resources, or engineering.

Applicants with course deficiencies may be required to take appropriate undergraduate courses for no program credit and to demonstrate, by their performance in such coursework or through a qualifying exam, basic knowledge of the subject matter in the area(s) of deficiency.

The program requires:
36 credits of coursework, consisting of:

Core courses (21-25 credits), including
Natural Sciences (at least 9 credits)
Social Sciences (at least 6 credits)
Numerical Methods (at least 3 credits)

Also required:
Elective courses (6-10 credits), up to 3 credits of which may be an internship (EVS 597, Professional Internship in Environmental Science and Management) with an environmental agency, nongovernmental organization, or private firm.
Independent study (3 credits: EVS 598, Professional Master's Research), an independent research project that culminates in a substantial, high-quality, written report.
Graduate seminar (2 credits), including a terminal oral presentation.
Written comprehensive examination on coursework.

SPECIALIZATIONS
Each MESM degree candidate shall enroll in one of the following 6 specializations. Each specialization has unique course requirements and faculty advisors drawn from 2 or more CELS departments.

Conservation Biology
Earth and Hydrologic Science
Environmental Policy & Management
Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis
Sustainable Systems
Wetland, Watershed, and Ecosystem Science

Conservation Biology Specialization
This specialization prepares students for professional positions in the science and management of the earth's biological diversity. They may concentrate studies in ecological aspects of applied conservation biology, management of biodiversity, or economics and policy aspects of conservation biology.

Students take courses in plant and animal biology, ecology, and biodiversity analysis and management, as well as numerical methods and social sciences.

Graduates find employment with federal and state resource management and regulatory agencies, nongovernmental conservation organizations, and private environmental consulting firms.

Core courses (21-25 credits), including:
Natural Sciences (12-16 credits)
- Plant & Animal Biology (at least 3 credits)
- Ecology (at least 3 credits)
- Biodiversity Analysis & Management (at least 3 credits)
Social Sciences (6 credits)
Numerical Methods (3 credits)
Electives (6-10 credits)
Independent study (3 credits: EVS 598)
Graduate seminar (2 credits from NRS, PLS, or REN)

back to Specializations list

Earth and Hydrologic Science Specialization
This specialization focuses on the study of earth sciences at multiple scales. It gives students insight into the structure and process in earth systems, stresses the understanding of earth and hydrologic hazards and the application of earth science to management issues, and provides them with tools for effectively communicating how to live with the natural environment.

Students concentrate their studies in one of the following:

Earth surface processes, including coastal hazards and landscape development during and after deglaciation;
Soil-landscape relationships and applied pedology;
Hydrogeology, including groundwater and surface water processes, contaminant transport and cleanup, and modeling;
Solid earth materials and processes, including natural hazards, mineral resources, and forensic science;
Geoarcheology, including sources of lithic materials and paleoclimates;
Paleoenvironments of dinosaur-bearing rocks.

Complementary background knowledge in spatial analysis (GIS) is strongly suggested. Required coursework comes from the areas of: earth surface processes, hydrology, earth materials, spatial analysis, and numerical methods, as well as environmental economics, policy, planning, and law.

Graduates find employment with federal and state resource management and regulatory agencies, private environmental consulting firms, academic laboratories, and nongovernmental conservation organizations.

Core courses (21-25 credits), including:
Natural Sciences (12-16 credits from any or all of the following)
- Earth Surface Processes
- Hydrology
- Solid Earth Materials & Processes
- Spatial Analysis & Remote Sensing
Social Sciences (6 credits)
Numerical Methods (3 credits)
Elective courses (6-10 credits)
Independent study (3 credits: EVS 598)
Graduate seminar (2 credits from GEO, MAF, or NRS)

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Environmental Policy & Management Specialization
This specialization prepares students for positions requiring an ability to integrate natural science into policy development and implementation affecting ecosystems, landscapes, land use and development, environmental regulation of industry, and conservation of biological diversity or environmental quality.

Students concentrate coursework in policy, planning, law, and economics, and take a substantial share of courses in natural sciences including geology, hydrology, and soil science, ecology and management; or remote sensing and spatial analysis.

Graduates are prepared for careers in federal, state, or municipal government, nonprofit organizations, and private consulting firms requiring professionals who can bring science to bear on policy and management solutions that succeed in a modern political and economic setting.

Core courses (21-25 credits), including:
Social Sciences (12-16 credits)
- Policy, Planning & Law (at least 6 credits)
- Economic Theory & Methods (at least 6 credits; may include 3 credits from Numerical Methods)
Natural Sciences (9 credits from any/all of the following or from Numerical Methods)
- Geology, Hydrology & Soil Science
- Ecology & Management
- Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis
Numerical Methods (3 credits)
Electives (6-10 credits)
Independent study (3 credits: EVS 598)
Graduate seminar (2 credits from CPL, GEO, MAF, NRS, or REN)

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Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis Specialization
This specialization provides students with technical skills required to use state-of-the-art mapping technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS), and cutting-edge data systems, such as those provided by satellite and aerial remote sensing and global positioning systems (GPS), for the analysis and presentation of environmental data.

Students master a large and diverse suite of technical tools in geospatial data analysis. These can be used to solve practical problems in watershed modeling, ecosystem science, wildlife ecology, water resource management, landscape ecology, pollution control, conservation biology, and land use/land cover dynamics.

Students take a core of basic and advanced courses in remote sensing and GIS, where they learn to use modern mapping technologies. Additional coursework provides them with practical instruction in how GIS and remote sensing are applied in environmental analysis and basic research.

Graduates find employment with public- and private-sector agencies, firms, and organizations that use computerized mapping technologies for natural resource management and environmental protection.

Core courses (21-25 credits), including:
Natural Sciences (12-16 credits)
- Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis (at least 9 credits)
- Earth & Ecosystem Science (0-7 credits)
Social Sciences (6 credits)
Numerical Methods (3 credits)
Electives (6-10 credits)
Independent study (3 credits: EVS 598)
Graduate seminar (2 credits from GEO or NRS)

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Sustainable Systems Specialization
This specialization focuses on the science and management of designed and domesticated ecosystems. Graduates have a strong understanding of the functional dynamics of an ecosystem, comprehensive appreciation of ecosystem responses to manipulation, and the ability to link ecosystem processes to human and environmental health and economic output.

Students may concentrate efforts toward understanding terrestrial, aquacultural, or environmental impact and system function. Expertise is developed in production of food, fiber, ornamental, and utility products from domesticated systems and the potential interactions with natural enemies and indigenous species.

Coursework addresses natural ecosystem functions, management of designed ecosystems, numerical methods, environmental policy, land use planning, environmental law, and economics.

Graduates find employment with private-sector firms in the production of food, fiber, ornamental, and utility products from domesticated systems and have ample opportunity with government advisory and regulatory agencies.

Core courses (21-25 credits), including:
Natural Sciences (12-16 credits)
- Natural Ecosystems (at least 3 credits)
- Managed Ecosystems (at least 3 credits)
Social Sciences (6 credits)
Numerical Methods (3 credits)
Electives (6-10 credits)
Independent study (3 credits: EVS 598)
Graduate seminar (2 credits from ASP, NRS, PLS, or REN)

back to Specializations list

Wetland, Watershed, and Ecosystem Science Specialization
This specialization focuses on the science and management of ecosystems at all scales from landscape to interstitial. Students may concentrate studies in the ecology, management, and conservation of inland or coastal wetlands; in watershed science and management, particularly land use-water quality interactions, in the ecology and management of forests for human use and biodiversity, or in soil ecology, including bioremediation of organic pollutants.

Students take courses from four key areas: ecosystem science and management; earth science, soils, and spatial analysis, statistics, and environmental planning, policy, law, and economics.

Graduates find employment with federal and state resource management and regulatory agencies, municipal government, nongovernmental conservation organizations, and private environmental consulting firms.

Core courses (21-25 credits), including:
Natural Sciences (12-16 credits)
- Ecosystem Science & Management (at least 6 credits)
- Earth Science, Soils & Spatial Analysis (at least 3 credits)
Social Sciences (6 credits)
Numerical Methods (3 credits)
Electives (6-10 credits)
Independent study (3 credits: EVS 598)
Graduate seminar (2 credits from GEO, MAF, NRS, or REN)

back to Specializations list

APPLICATION
Students should apply on-line to http://www.uri.edu/gsadmis/
All supporting materials should be sent to the appropriate specialization director at his/her departmental address:

Conservation Biology: Dr. Roger LeBrun
Dept. of Plant Sciences 229 Woodward Hall
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
Tel. (401) 874-2934
E-mail: lebrun@uri.edu

Earth & Hydrologic Science: Dr. Jon Boothroyd
Dept. of Geosciences 314 Woodward Hall
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
Tel. (401) 874-2191
E-mail: jon_boothroyd@uri.edu

Environmental Policy & Management: Dr. Robert Thompson
Department of Marine Affairs
304 Washburn Hall
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
Tel. (401) 874-4485
E-mail: rob@uri.edu

Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis: Dr. Yeqiao Wang
Dept. of Natural Resources Science
26 Coastal Institute in Kingston
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
Tel. (401) 874-4345
E-mail: yqwang@uri.edu

Sustainable Systems: Dr. David Bengtson
Dept. of Fisheries, Animal & Veterinary Science
21 Woodward Hall
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
Tel. (401) 874-2668
E-mail:bengtson@uri.edu

Wetland, Watershed, & Ecosystem Science
Dr. Francis Golet
Dept. of Natural Resources Science
108 Coastal Institute in Kingston
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
Tel. (401) 874-2916
E-mail: fgswamps@uri.edu

*Dept. codes: CPLA, Community Planning & Landscape Architecture; ENRE, Environmental & Natural Resource Economics; FAVS; Fisheries, Animal, & Veterinary Science; GEO, Geosciences; MAF, Marine Affairs; NRS, Natural Resources Science; PLS, Plant Sciences

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