Graduate Program

Master of Professional Studies; M.P.S.

The master of professional studies degrees require graduate coursework credits and graduate seminars. Depending on the area of study, students may complete the M.P.S. degree with coursework and seminars, or a combination of coursework, seminars, and professional experience (internship). The M.P.S. degree is designed to accommodate a great breadth of student goals and needs, including students desiring additional education following some experience in their field, and science teachers seeking the master's degree for permanent certification. As in all degree programs in EFB, the student will be guided through the M.P.S. by a steering committee.

Coursework Option for the following areas of study: chemical ecology, conservation biology, ecology, entomology, environmental interpre-tation, environmental physiology, fish and wildlife biology and management, forest pathology and mycology, or plant science and biotechnology: At least 30 of the 42 credits required must be taken in residence at ESF. Coursework in this option includes seminars (EFB 797), and a maximum of six credits earned in EFB 798, or 898. Neither a comprehensive examination nor a capstone seminar is required.

Coursework Option for the area of study in applied ecology: Course-work requirements include three credit hours each from five of the seven focus areas, two credit hours in graduate seminars (EFB 797) and additional 19 credit hours of graduate coursework for a total of 36 credit hours. Neither a comprehensive examination nor a capstone seminar is required.

Coursework Option for the area of study in biotechnology: Coursework requirements consist of 19 credit hours of core coursework including two credit hours of graduate seminars (EFB 797), nine credit hours of directed electives and eight credit hours of open electives for a total of 36 credit hours. Neither a comprehensive examination nor a capstone seminar is required.

Professional Experience Option for the following areas of study: chemical ecology, conservation biology, ecology, entomology, environmental interpretation, environmental physiology, fish and wildlife biology and management, forest pathology and mycology, or plant science and biotechnology: In addition to an internship earning 6-12 credits (EFB 898), this option requires at least 30 credits of graduate coursework, of which 24 must be taken in residence at ESF. Coursework for this option includes seminars (EFB 797) and a maximum of three credits earned in EFB 798. A written report of the internship is required as well as an oral comprehensive exam and capstone seminar. For students completing the concurrent degree program (M.P.S./M.S.) leading to certification in biology (7-12), 12 credits of student teaching and coursework will be accepted as equivalent to a professional experience.