Graduate - Clarion University

20 Clarion University of PennsylvaniaBiologycomplete and report on an internship for atleast two hours credit.II. M.S. in Biology: Environmental ScienceConcentrationA. Thesis option:This option is designed for students whosecareer goals include research or graduate studyin environmental science. This interdisciplinaryoption will be a cooperative effort between theDepartment of Biology and the Department ofAnthropology, Geography and Earth Science.1. Complete a total of 30 semester hoursincluding at least 24 hours in courses andseminars in required areas and at least sixhours of Research and Thesis (ENVR 700).Required course areas include:• Natural and Physical Sciences: completeat least 12 hours of approved coursesin anthropology, biology, earth science,geography, chemistry, or physics, threehours of which must be a field experience.• Quantitative Methods: complete at leastsix hours of approved courses in statistics,mathematics, remote sensing, or geographicinformation systems.• Policy, Planning, Communication, andSocial Sciences: complete at least threehours of approved courses.• Graduate Seminar (ENVR 500): completeone to two semesters for at least twohours.2. Conduct an original research project; submitand defend a thesis. Before beginning theresearch, the student must present and defendthe proposed project in a seminar open to theuniversity community.B. Non-thesis option:This option is designed for returning environmentalprofessionals who desire advanced training toenhance their career potential, elementary andhigh school teachers who wish to enhance theirbackground in content areas, and others whowish to further their knowledge of environmentalscience but do not anticipate a career inresearch.1. Complete a total of 30 semester hours ofcourses, seminars, and independent study orinternship. Courses must cover the requiredcontent areas prescribed for the environmentalscience thesis option, including at least threehours of field experience.2. Complete an independent study or completeand report on an internship for at least twohours.When a preliminary draft of the thesis is judgedby the major advisor to be suitable, the candidatewill provide each member of his or her committeewith a copy of the preliminary draft. The date of theoral thesis defense must be announced to the generalcollege faculty at least two weeks before the defense.The defense will be conducted by the graduate researchcommittee, which will report its approval or disapprovalalong with recommended revisions. At least five copiesof the final draft of the thesis shall be prepared by thestudent, who will deliver them to the major advisorwho will obtain the appropriate signatures and deliverthe copies to the Division of Graduate Studies. TheDivision of Graduate Studies will charge a binding feeto the student.Only 400-, 500-, 600-, and 700-level coursescan be taken for graduate credit. No more than sixsemester hours of approved 400-level courses takenfor graduate credit may count toward the master’sdegree (see below).PlacementA great need for good professional biologists existsat the present, and should continue into the near future.Projections by both industry and federal governmentsources indicate that the need for life scientists and healthworkers should increase. The need for individuals withadditional or more specialized training than required fora B.A. or B.S. degree is increasing. Placement of pastgraduates of the program has been excellent in teachingand research; federal, state, and local government; privateindustry; medical technology; dentistry; optometry; anddoctoral and specialist programs.Graduate Assistantships