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Master of Science in Earth Systems Science   Overview of the Degree Program of Study Curriculum Requirements Admission Requirements Applications   General Description of the Degree Jointly with the College of Arts & Sciences (Environmental Science and Policy; Department of Geography), SCS will offer an interdisciplinary Master's program in Earth Systems Science (ESS) beginning in the Fall 2002 semester. This degree program addresses the growing national and regional demand for trained professionals in Earth systems science and related applications. All courses are offered in the late afternoon or early evening to accommodate students with full-time employment outside the university. Program of Study   The ESS M.S. degree emphasizes a research-oriented global systems approach to the study of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, including their interrelationships and their interactions with the biosphere. Emphasis is on the observation and quantitative analysis of Earth systems. Students completing the program are qualified to pursue careers that require knowledge of the basics of Earth systems science and the requisite tools. Students are encouraged to undertake an optional master's thesis for more in-depth studies; or a research project that allows them exposure to research. In the latter case, students will have to pass a qualifying exam. Curriculum Requirements   Candidates for the M.S. degree in Earth systems science must successfully complete 30 credit hours as follows: · 9 credit hours of Earth science core: CSI 655 (Introduction to Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere), CSI 656 (The Hydrosphere), and CSI 657 (The Lithosphere) · 3 credit hours of Earth observations courses: CSI 753 (Observations of Earth and its Climate) or GEOG 579 (Remote Sensing) · 3 credit hours of quantitative techniques courses: CSI 754 (Earth Observing/Remote Sensing Data and Data Systems) or GEOG 585 (Quantitative Methods) · 3 credits hours of human and biological perspectives courses: one of CSI 750 (Earth Systems and Global Change), CSI 759 (Special Topics); EVPP 577 (Biogeochemistry: A Global Perspective), EVPP 636 (Human Dimensions of Global Change); GEOG 575 (Reconstructing Past Environments), GEOG 670 (Applied Climatology) · 3 credits hours of colloquium/seminar: CSI 899 (Colloquium) and CSI 792 (Seminar) · 3-6 credits hours of research: CSI 798 (Research Project) or CSI 799 (Master's Thesis) · General electives as needed for a total of 30 credit hours Admission Requirements   · Applicants to the Earth systems science M.S. program should have a B.S. degree in Earth, environmental, or physical science. Previous coursework should include two semesters each of calculus, chemistry, and physics, and one semester of statistics. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.000 in their undergraduate degree. · To apply, prospective students should forward a completed George Mason graduate application, two transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Each master's program applicant should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement for admission will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are also required for all foreign applicants. Note that transcripts originating from foreign countries must be evaluated by a U.S.-recognized agency. · Students applying for fall admission should submit completed applications by March 1. Applications for spring admission should be received by November 1 of the preceding year. Please note that local applications may be accepted after these general deadlines. For more information, please call Dr. Peter Becker at 703-993-3619. · Fellowships and assistantships are generally not available to students in the M.S. Earth Systems Science program. Return to the TOP of this page

Copyright School of Computational Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA Last modified: August 21, 2000 Please send questions or comments to Dr. Peter A. Becker at  pbecker@gmu.edu Graphic design: Janejira Kalsmith Programming: Guido Cervone and Liviu Panait