Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Sciences

The Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Sciences 

Are you interested in a program that brings together aspects of the natural and physical sciences and encourages hands-on learning and problem-solving? By choosing the MS program you integrate skills and insights from chemistry, biology, ecology, physics, geology, geography, anthropology, engineering, and the health sciences. You develop a unique skillset to address urgent and complex environmental challenges. 

Your MS offers an interdisciplinary and flexible curriculum structure putting the power of course selection in your hands, allowing you to tailor your degree to your personal interests. There are also opportunities for graduate teaching and research assistantships, to hone your technical and communication skills.

If you are looking for a holistic and cross-disciplinary approach to scientific discovery with opportunities for both scientific specialization and broad systems-based learning, you will thrive in the MS Environmental Sciences program. 

Our courses prepare you for careers in environmental monitoring and compliance, scientific data collection and analysis, environmental consulting, conservation science, environmental outreach and communication, and environmental policy and resource management, among other related career paths.

We are committed to your success, so as an applicant it is helpful (though not required) to have earned a bachelor’s degree or taken significant coursework in natural/physical sciences.

Careers

Alumni have gone on to work for a wide variety of organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. From local, state, and federal governments to consulting firms, an MS in Environmental Sciences opens doors to a fulfilling career centered around the environment. 

CU Denver’s MS in Environmental Sciences program has graduates who work in fulfilling careers in a wide range of public offices such as:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
• U.S. Geological Survey 
• National Park Service 
• Federal Emergency Management Agency 
• U.S. Forest Service 
• U.S. Department of Transportation 
• Colorado Department of Public Health 
• County and City-level Resource Management Offices 
• Colorado Department of Transportation 
• City and County of Denver 
• City and County of Boulder 

Our students and alumni also find jobs in the private sector. Careers include:

• Environmental Field Technician 
• Ecosystem Restoration Manager
• Environmental Consultant
• Conservation Scientist
• Environmental Compliance Analyst 
• Wildlife Biologist 
• Hydrologist 
• Sustainability Manager/Officer
• Environmental Science Teacher 
• Geospatial Scientist/Analyst
• Environmental Planner
• Environmental Policy Analyst 
• Climate Scientist
• Environmental Health and Safety Officer 
• Water Quality Technician
• Renewable Energy Specialist
• Environmental Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator

Curriculum 

The 36-credit-hour MS in Environmental Sciences includes:

• An introductory seminar covering research topics in environmental science
• Courses from our environmental “spheres": Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere 
• At least one environmental social science course
• Elective courses which may also be applied to our exciting program specializations
• Either a community research practicum (for students on the non-thesis track) or a Master’s thesis preparation and writing courses (for students on the thesis track).

Choose a Specialization

You may specialize in one of the following areas:

Climate Systems 

Investigate the physical science principles governing climate and atmospheric processes across a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. Develop a strong foundation of scientific knowledge as well as practical skills related to atmospheric measurements and data analysis.

Ecosystems

Investigate the larger implications of natural events (e.g., fire, climate change) and anthropogenic activities (e.g., deforestation, chemical use) on ecosystems. Develop strong quantitative and analytical skills and gain experience applying them to real-world problems.

Environmental Health

Apply your  training in environmental science to focus on mechanisms linking the environment to human health. Specific points of engagement include scientific methods in the study of public health and policy considerations derived from scientific work. 

Environmental Science, Policy & Management

Build  on your environmental science core by using insights from the environmental social sciences—including social, economic, political and justice-based considerations—to examine environmental management efforts at local to global scales. 

Geospatial Analysis

Use spatial thinking, geographic information science, and geo-technologies to aid the study of social and physical processes and interactions. Apply geospatial analysis to natural and built environments while emphasizing human-environment interconnections. 

Sustainable Urban Agriculture

Apply lessons from the environmental, geospatial and social sciences to the topic of sustainable urban agriculture. Explore topics related to food production and distribution, urban farming and governance, food justice, the political economy of agriculture, and more.  

Water Systems

Study water processes across topics in surface and groundwater hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, water quality, and contaminant fate/transport. The curriculum highlights interactions among the physical, biological, and chemical components of aquatic systems using field, laboratory, and modeling methods. 

Faculty Affiliates

​These members of faculty from other CU Denver departments widen the advising options available to MS in Environmental Sciences students. These individuals can be approached to be members of thesis committees and for research opportunities. 

Professors

• N. Y. Chang, Civil Engineering
• Diana F. Tomback, Integrative Biology

Associate Professors

• Leo P. Bruederle, Integrative Biology
• Greg Cronin, Integrative Biology
• Michael J. Green, Integrative Biology
• Yong Liu, Chemistry 
• David Mays, Civil Engineering
• Timberly M. Roane, Integrative Biology
• Mike Wunder, Integrative Biology

Assistant Professors

• Annika C. Mosier, Integrative Biology
• Alan Vajda, Integrative Biology​
• Brian Buma, Integrative Biology

MS in Environmental Sciences Program Learning Goals and Associated CLAS Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs) 

Program Learning Goal #1:  Knowledge Base of Environmental Processes and Systems 

1.1 Critically evaluate the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science through the integration of the natural and physical sciences along with engineering, extending to the social sciences. 

1.2 Demonstrate knowledge of a specific field of research within the context of the existing literature. 

1.3 Conduct meaningful research using fundamental scientific principles, literature, analytical procedures, and instrumentation. 

1.4 Critically evaluate scientific and causal arguments. 

Program Learning Goal #2:  Analytic Approaches and Methods 

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate analytic methods for the analysis of environmental data. 

2.2 Apply analytic methods, including statistical or geospatial techniques, to environmental data for studying scientific phenomena. 

2.3 Obtain, analyze, and interpret environmental data. 

Program Learning Goal #3: Application and Community Engagement 

3.1 Understand and demonstrate how student work influences society and promotes environmental stewardship within the student’s realm of influence and community. 

3.2 Demonstrate ability to work on real-world challenges to combine theory and practice in responding to local to global issues at community, non-profit, corporate, or government contexts. 

3.3 Practice effective communication of environmental science concepts and problems to both scientific and public audiences. 

Program Learning Goal #4: Integrative and Applied Learning 

4.1 Understand and synthesize complex relationships among components of natural and human systems. 

4.2 Apply acquired skills to work as an individual or team in environmental research to real-world challenges. 

4.3 Draw on diverse perspectives to examine complex social and environmental issues and practice global citizenship.

Tuition 

The cost of tuition and fees for the MS in Environmental Science is different for in-state and out-of-state students. Current tables and rates are available on the Bursar's office site.

Scholarships 

Newly Admitted and Continuing Students: You can apply for additional scholarships every semester of enrollment. Some awards may be specific to individual programs or enrollment in specific courses. Learn more, and apply here.  

Assistantships

After receiving admissions into the Master's program (before the priority application deadline) you will have an opportunity to apply for a Teaching Assistant position. Selected students receive an offer by late spring or early summer. TA opportunities are available past your first semester as well. 

Research Assistant positions are developed and offered following conversations with faculty, typically after a student arrives in their first semester. On occasion, these positions are offered as part of the admissions process. 

The program admits students in the fall semester. The number of students admitted to the program depends on space availability.

The University of Colorado Denver has a minimum requirement of a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) for applicants to the graduate school. However, students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of the application may be admitted conditionally with the requirement that they achieve a minimum of a 3.0 GPA by the end of their first semester in the program. 

Admission Notes 

• The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement.  
• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
• No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success. 
• You may submit GRE scores for admission into the program, but this is not required. Please note: not all programs offer the same GRE waiver policy. 

How Decisions Are Made 

The Admission Committee will evaluate your application for evidence of extended professional work experience and academic success that demonstrates the quantitative, analytical, and verbal skills necessary for success in the CU Denver MA or MS program through the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences. Multiple sources of evidence will be considered, such as: 

• Professional work experience, preferably demonstrating a background in the fields of environmental science and environmental management.   
• Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher, though lower GPA may be considered if the applicant demonstrates improvement in recent semesters. (Consideration will be given to the major and rigor of the program.) 
• GRE (Optional). If your application does not demonstrate the academic success detailed above and/or sufficient professional experience, you may want to consider taking the GRE to make your application more competitive.  

International Students  

Apply now

Fall 

We accept applications once per year, with a February 1st priority deadline, for admission in the fall semester of the same year. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through August 1st for fall semester. Space is limited so application submissions by the priority deadline are strongly encouraged.