Master of Science in Environmental Science
Course descriptions
Classes are small, generally from 7-15 students. Some courses offer content, as well as planning, organization, writing, presentation, and critical thinking skills. Other classes emphasize analytic tools such as statistical inference, database presentation, and modeling. By the first summer, students are prepared for pursuing their thesis topic in earnest. Most will enter and error check their data early in the fall of their second year, then analyze their results by winter break. During the analysis stage students meet frequently with faculty to ensure that students delve into their data to emerge with results that are understandable and presentable. The spring semester is usually devoted to writing the finished document, preferably in a format suitable to submission to an appropriate journal for publication. Students dedicated to the MSES program can generally expect to finish by May or August of their second year.
Overall, of the 36 credits, 12 should be devoted to thesis related work (Research Methods; Directed Study or Internship; Thesis); six credits to quantitative/analytic techniques (Statistics; GIS; modeling); six credits to science and six credits to policy; leaving six credits for electives.
ES 601 Research Methods (3)
Application of the Scientific Method to environmental science and natural resource research problems. Overview of research design and methods appropriate to a wide variety of research settings. Emphasis on student development of a thesis proposal containing problem statement, hypotheses, research design and methods.
ES 602 Environmental Assessment: Case Studies (3)
Methodologies used to characterize environmental situations, including field surface and subsurface investigation and sampling techniques, overview of laboratory methods, environmental monitoring methods, scheduling of public meetings, and report preparation. Students will complete individual or team case studies.
ES 604 GIS (Geographic Information Systems) (3)
An intermediate level course that enhances knowledge in the areas of data capture, database management, spatial analysis, and cartographic display. Students will work with geo-relational data in a workstation environment, and develop skills in digitizing, editing coverages, manipulating data, and producing maps. The course is project-based, capitalizing on the benefits of experiential learning. It will have a lecture and laboratory component. Students are required to complete an independent project using skills learned during the course.
ES 605 Introduction to GIS (3)
A general survey of the principles of geographic information systems (GIS). The course introduces use of geo-relational data in a desktop-computing environment. Topics cover data capture, management, analysis, and cartographic display. Analytical applications include land use assessment, habitat evaluation, and natural resource related problem solving. The course is presented in a lecture/laboratory format. Lab fee required.
ES 610 Environmental Ethics (3)
Various perspectives and philosophies concerning the natural environment and resource utilization are explored in order to give the student a basis to develop his or her own ethical perspective. The human factor in addressing natural resource issues is emphasized.
ES 613 Environmental Geology (3)
Applied geology course that focuses on the entire spectrum of possible interactions between people and the physical environment. Topics include earth materials, geologic hazards, hydrology, waste disposal, environmental health, minerals, energy, and an introduction to environmental law and land-use planning. Includes lab Prerequisite: A course in geology or consent of instructor. Lab fee required.
ES 614 Riparian and Aquatic Restoration (3)
Examination of the disciplines necessary to restore riparian and aquatic habitats, assuring permanent improvement and maximization of biological productivity, aesthetics, recreation potential, and system cost effectiveness. As part of the course a restoration plan will be developed for a specific section of a spring fed stream in Anchorage.
ES 615 Conservation Biology (3)
Examines the ecological factors that create and maintain biodiversity, as well as the forces that lead to extinction. Other topics include habitat fragmentation, the design of nature preserves, and restoration ecology. These concepts and models supply the tools for application to population and system level concerns in natural communities, concerns tempered by economic and political considerations. Prerequisite: Ecology or permission of instructor.
ES 620 Natural Resource Planning and Politics (3)
Relationships between the political process and natural resource inventory, planning development, management and conservation are covered in this course. Emphasis is placed on Alaska's renewable natural resources and the impact of Alaska's local, state, and national legislation, regulation, and political action on those resources.
ES 621 Global Resources and International Conservation (3)
Examination of major global environmental issues using the science of ecology as a framework for analysis. The interaction of cultural practices, resource utilization, and economic development is emphasized. ES 626 managing alaska's resource commons (3) This course will critically examine the perspectives, politics, and issues surrounding the management of Alaska's common pool resources. Building on Garret Hardin's seminal but controversial ideas presented in "Tragedy of the Commons," we will look at how new perspectives are forcing a reconsideration of environmental, economic, and political factors of using and sustaining common pool resources, with specific Alaskan examples.
ES 626 Managing Alaska's Resource Commons (3)
This course will critically examine the perspectives, politics and issues surrounding the management of Alaska's common pool resources. Building on Garret Hardin's seminal but controversial ideas presented in "Tragedy of the Commons," we will look at how new perspectives are forcing a reconsideration of environmental, economic and political factors of using and sustaining common pool resources, with specific Alaskan examples.
ES 640 Tropical Ecology (3)
A field-oriented block course that explores the ecology of a tropical region. Emphasis is placed on the structure, function, and biodiversity of natural ecosystems. Logging, agriculture, sustainable development, and conservation are also discussed. This course often requires difficult and uncomfortable travel through under-developed rural and wilderness areas by minibus, boat, and foot. Students are expected to have a passport, necessary inoculations, and wilderness experience. Additional costs between $1500 and $2000 are required of the student for travel to, from, and within the destination countries. Permission of the instructor and prior college-level courses in ecology and statistics are required.
ES 652 Water Resources Management (3)
Major concepts involved in water resources management. Basic hydrology, water use, water rights, water quality, groundwater, planning, floodplain management, and dams. Emphasis will be placed on the interrelationships among the technical, legal, economic, and political aspects of water resources management by examining Alaskan water resources laws and current issues.
ES 653 Quantitative Methods for Environmental Sciences (3)
Analytical, statistical, and research methods needed for examination of the social, political, and ecological aspects of environmental issues and problems. Prerequisite: A college level course in statistics or ES 601 and college algebra.
ES 655 Environmental Chemistry (3)
Extensive examination of the chemical aspects of environmental issues. Presumes a knowledge of kinetics, elementary thermodynamics, and equilibria. The course is broad-based and interdisciplinary in nature and touches upon topics such as water quality, air pollution, and hazardous wastes. Prerequisites: college algebra and chemistry or permission of instructor.
ES 660 Air Quality (3)
Addresses fundamental concepts associated with all aspects of air quality. The course consists of an introduction to the fundamental principles necessary to understand air quality issues, legal aspects of air quality legislation, and current issues.
ES 661 Water Quality (3)
This course examines fundamental concepts related to water quality issues. An introduction and review of scientific principles necessary to understand water quality issues (such as nutrient cycles), general aspects of water legislation, and contemporary issues in the field.
ES 664 Environmental Health (3)
Environmental quality is an important factor in wellness and the quality of human health, and in turn, the effects on human health from human impacts on the environment. Problems in assessing and controlling these impacts, protective legislation, and various approaches to resolve environmental health problems.
ES 667 Ground Water Geology (3)
Ground water occurrence, flow, aquifer relationships, well discharge data and aquifer yield. Introductions to field investigations including geophysical methods. Other topics include containment migration and groundwater modeling. Includes lab. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: a course in geology or permission of instructor.
ES 668 Hazardous Materials Management (3)
Toxic materials in detail: their definitions, legal and regulatory control. Materials management, including storage, transportation, and disposal, are covered.
ES 669 Environmental Law (3)
Introduction to laws and regulations governing environmental and natural resource management. Designed to introduce non-law students to the legal process in general and the role of the judiciary in environmental and natural resource management.
ES 670 Environmental Change (3)
Environmental changes on all scales from global to local will be addressed, with the primary focus on global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, acid precipitation, deforestation, and species extinctions. This course covers both the science and the policies of environmental changes, taking into account scientific uncertainties as well as political realities.
ES 681 Thesis Research (1-6)
Students perform a research project under the guidance of a 3-member graduate advisory committee, involving an in-depth study of a subject in the student's area of professional interest. The project includes, but is not limited to, a statement of the problem, data collection, compilation, analysis and interpretation, and writing of a thesis which documents all aspects of the study. The thesis must be successfully defended before the graduate advisory committee during an oral presentation to the university community. Final approval of the written thesis is required prior to graduation.
ES 685 Practicum (Internship) (3-12)
Practical work experience in a given area of concentration under the cooperative guidance of a faculty member and an on-the-job supervisor.
