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Graduate School Course Catalog 2024-2025
M.S. in Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Science
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I. Admission Requirements
Students seeking unconditional admission to the graduate program in Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences must present a “B” average for a minimum of 30 credits from undergraduate coursework in earth science, environmental science, geography, computer science, information science, physics, chemistry or a related subject. Depending on the selected concentration, possible NCCU courses which the student can take to better prepare for the graduate program include GEOG 4010 - Applied Geographic Information Systems, GEOG 4920 - Theory & Methods, GEOG 4110 - Quantitative Techniques in Geography, GEOG-4130 - Geospatial Statistics, GEOG 4220 - Conservation of Natural Resources, or GEOG - 4230 Minerals, Energy and Environment. These courses do not count towards the requirements for the degree.
The GRE is not required for admission. The DEEGS recognizes that the GRE is just one indicator of student potential at the graduate level. The DEEGS weighs GPA within the major, practical experience, research interests and a student’s cover letter along with GRE scores. Admissions will be decided based on all of these factors and students are encouraged to apply, regardless of GRE score. Students who do not have requisite undergraduate preparation may be admitted conditionally (unable to receive funding for a probationary period). In some cases, they may be asked to take undergraduate prerequisite courses before being granted unconditional admission to the program.
II. Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences curriculum requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 semester-hours of approved graduate credit. The program objectives are met through the following components: (1) a core curriculum consisting of 12 credit hours, (2) elective credits of 15 credit hours and (3) a thesis or internship project (at least 3 credit hours) coupled with a systematic program of guidance, advisement, and evaluation that involve students from entry through graduation.
The program is designed to develop master’s level competence in applied earth sciences, with an emphasis on geographic information systems, quantitative analysis and remote sensing of the physical environment, or general earth science, which is designed to enhance the knowledge of earth science teachers and other professionals who wish to pursue additional graduate work. The M.S. in Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences does not have or require concentrations. After the completion of the core, students with their advisors select courses that best satisfy their goals after leaving NCCU.
Electives (Applied Earth Science) - 15 hours
In addition to completing the core curriculum outlined above, students must elect to complete 15 credit hours of elective coursework applicable to their field of study. These courses can be taken within their major, within other majors at NCCU or through NCCU’s interinstitutional agreement with local colleges and universities. Any elective course should be taken with the advisor’s approval.
Applied coursework is specifically designed for the students with an interest in the fields of remote sensing of natural resources, computer assisted cartography, digital geographic information systems, and data analyses related to natural resources, waste disposal, locating sites for critical facilities, geophysical study of geohazards, water resource management, agriculture, urban and regional planning, and coastal zones management. Coursework in this realm provides students with the skills to: (1) determine the data requirements needed to answer such questions as those related to the location of mineral and energy resources, the selection of locations of critical facilities such as dams, waste disposal sites or nuclear reactors, environmental processes responsible for geohazards, the long-term effects of climatic change on water supply, and land use planning in coastal zones; (2) conduct computer-based regional geographic studies provide programming services for statistical, analytical and high resolution computer-graphic applications, perform tests and development on spatial data models, and evaluate digital geodata products for end-user applications; (3) evaluate and make policy recommendations on land use/land cover data, carry out spatial analyses related to natural resources management; and (4) provide expert advice on state-of-the-art developments in image processing, digital cartography, spatial data base management, and modernization of mapping technology. Courses which may be considered as applied electives include:
Total credit Hours for Thesis Option - 30 hours
Total credit Hours for Project Option - 30 hours
III. Exit Requirements
- The administration of the comprehensive exam is the advisor’s responsibility. It can be given in one part or multiple parts, but must demonstrate competency in the student’s proposed thesis or project topic. A grade of 80% is deemed as passing. Students earning a grade of 75% may retake it or sections of it to earn a passing grade after a waiting period of 30 days.
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Successful presentation and defense of internship project or thesis before graduate committee.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required. Students are only allowed one grade of “C” in graduate level courses.
Graduate Curriculum Guide for M.S. in Environment, Earth and Geospatial Sciences
Spring Semester
- EASC 5800 - Internship (3) or
- EASC 5900 - Thesis (1-6)
Core class required of all students in program
Elective course that can be substituted for other graduate-level courses both inside and outside of the department.
Note: Courses are not necessarily offered in the semester in which they are listed in the curriculum guide. They are offered in a sequence, which ensures that students will complete all courses within 2 years.
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