Environmental Biology (M.S.)

Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are preferred. At minimum, all applications must have completed and earned a B or better in the following:

• two college-level biology courses (with lab)
• two college-level chemistry courses (with lab)
• one college-level math course (e.g., statistics, algebra, pre-calculus, calculus)

To apply to the environmental biology master's program, please:

• Complete and submit the online application, including an essay of 550 words or less describing background experience and future goals.
• Request an official transcript be submitted by each institution attended
• Two letters of recommendations are suggested, but not required. Letters can be emailed to gofurther@hood.edu.

The program has two tracks, a research and non-research track—both require the completion of 33 credits. The research track includes either a 6-credit thesis (invitation only) or a 3-credit independent research project. The non-research track includes either a 3-credit internship at an approved agency or an intensive capstone course as the final programmatic experience. Both tracks are designed for students from a variety of academic backgrounds.

A required core of courses provides students with a comprehensive background in all aspects of environmental biology. Students will be able to place environmental issues into a broad social, political and economic context; however, the primary core course emphasis will be on using environmental biology principles to identify and solve environmental problems.

The elective courses provide each student with the opportunity to tailor their program to meet particular professional needs. Some electives are clearly rooted in natural science and mathematics. These are the ones most students will choose in order to further their careers in environmental research, regulation, consulting and teaching. Other electives come from the social and political sciences and are well-suited for students planning to enter the realm of public policy. There are also 1-credit elective offerings that stress laboratory and field techniques. Three of these 1-credit courses may be taken in lieu of one 3-credit elective for thesis students. All other students (project option or non-research track) must complete three of the 1-credit courses as part of their 33 credit minimum.

All students must complete the following:

All students must complete one of the following (3 credits each):

Research Track - 33 credits:

After the successful completion of 12 ENV credits, students are required to meet with their advisor to discuss the student’s remaining academic path. Once the research track is chosen, a student may not switch from this track to the non-research track. 

Thesis Option:

Upon the successful completion of 12 ENV credits, ENV faculty will invite a limited number of exceptional students to complete a comprehensive thesis project. If the student accepts, they are responsible for securing a thesis advisor and committee. Thesis students must complete 6 elective credits, as well as ENV 515 and ENV 580 Thesis (6 credits), for a program total of 33 credits

Independent Project Option:

Students choosing to complete an independent project must complete ENV 515 and ENV 579 Project (3 credits), and 9 elective credits for a program total of 33 credits. Of the 9 elective credits, 3 must be designated as lab or field credits (ENV 522-528 and ENV 565).

Alternative Track - 33 credits:

After the successful completion of 12 ENV credits, students are required to meet with their advisor to discuss the student’s remaining academic path. If the alternative track is chosen, they have the flexibility to switch between the two options under this track, but it is not possible to change from the alternative track to the research track.

Internship Option:

As part of their 33 credits, internship students will complete a 3-credit internship (ENV 591) at an approved facility through the ENV program director. Students are required to complete ENV 515 and 9 elective credits for a program total of 33 credits; 3 of 9 elective credits must be designated as lab or field credits, such as ENV 522, ENV 526, ENV 528 and ENV 565.

Capstone Option:

Students, who choose the capstone option, are required to complete a program total of 33 credits, which includes 12 elective credits; three of the 12 elective credits must be designated as lab or field credits, such as ENV 522, ENV 526, ENV 528 and ENV 565.

As part of their 33 credits, capstone students must successfully complete:

Once a student enrolls in ENV 578, they are not permitted to change options within the alternate track.

Elective Courses

Electives include, but are not limited to, the following:

If not taken as part of core requirements:

Examples of research topics

• Native insect pollinators in sustainable agriculture
• Amino acid metabolism in corals and anemones
• Restoration ecology of the regal fritillary butterfly
• The effect of atrazine on earthworm reproduction
• The effects of crayfish on headwater stream communities
• Nitrogen mineralization and phosphorus availability in composted poultry litter
• Antibiotic resistance patterns in fecal streptococcus from environmental samples
• Environmental stresses causing DNA damage and it subsequent repair in sea anemones
• An evaluation of membrane bioreactors to treatment saline wastewater in marine aquaculture
• Morphological systematics of the Crystal Darter
• Nonnative plant invasion following hurricane damage
• Chemical interactions between competing mosquito species

Please refer to the following web links:

Graduate Forms & Guidelines
https://www.hood.edu/graduate/academics/graduate-forms-guidelines

Environmental Biology Master’s Independent Research Project ENV 579/ENV 579G
ENV 579 guidelines_june2020_1.pdf

Environmental Biology Master’s Thesis ENV 580/ENV 580G
ENV 580 guidelines_june2020.pdf

Environmental Biology Master’s Internship ENV 591/ENV 591G
ENV 591 guidelines june2020_1.pdf

The 4PLUS program is designed for highly motivated students who have the desire to build career options into their undergraduate curriculum and earn a master's degree in environmental biology.

Hood College students who are majoring in environmental science and policy are eligible to participate in a 4PLUS program that allows for a combined, and in some cases accelerated, master’s degree in environmental biology after the completion of their undergraduate studies.