Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Gretchen E. Potts, Department Head
(423) 425-4341 or email at Gretchen-Potts@utc.edu
Dr. Thomas Wilson, Graduate Program Director
(423) 425-4713 or email at Thomas-Wilson@utc.edu

Mission

The Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science. The mission of this program is to meet the needs of academia, business, government and the non-profit sector for scholars and professionals in this interdisciplinary field. Toward this goal, the program provides sound scientific and technical training coupled with an understanding of contemporary socioeconomic, political and legal realities. Our faculty offer courses that emphasize the development of advanced critical thinking and effective advocacy and communication skills and engage students in research in a wide range of subdisciplines including biodiversity and systematics, conservation and restoration, ecology, environmental and human health, environmental policy and law, evolution and behavior, geospatial science, and molecular biology, cellular biology and physiology.

Learning Objectives

Students are able to demonstrate knowledge of the natural world, within the context of key issues in environmental science (including human population increase, sustainability, resource depletion, urbanization, and environmental pollution). Students are able to demonstrate and apply knowledge in the core areas of the environmental science graduate program: natural resource management, statistics, environmental law and policy, and environmental pollution. Students are able to successfully defend their thesis, internship, or learned discourse, including giving a public presentation about their project and accurately answering audience questions.
Students are able to gather, evaluate, and synthesize relevant scientific literature. Students are able to communicate scientific information effectively both in writing and orally. Students are able to apply their knowledge towards addressing environmental problems, in a manner consistent with recognizing the unique role humans play in the environment.
Students are able to conduct themselves responsibly and recognize the importance of ethical professional behavior.

Admission

Academic Requirements & Recommendations

An applicant for admission to the graduate program in Environmental Science must meet the following requirements:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or foreign equivalent.
An overall GPA of 2.75 or a GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 credit hours.
Background knowledge of environmental science concepts equivalent to a two-semester undergraduate introductory environmental science sequence and/or an undergraduate or graduate ecology course.

The following additional academic preparation is recommended for the Environmental Science, M.S.:

At least four upper-level undergraduate science courses with laboratory components.
One course each in environmental ethics and environmental law.
One course each in college calculus, introductory statistics, and computer science.

The following additional academic preparation is recommended for the Environmental Administration and Management concentration:

15 semester hours (or equivalent) in courses covering the basic principles of life science (including plant and animal diversity, genetics, ecology, and evolution).
6 credit hours of physical sciences (physics, chemistry, soil science, geology, engineering – at least 2 disciplines must be represented).
One year of college mathematics including college algebra, trigonometry, calculus and statistics (two courses are required).
An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.25 (A = 4.0).

Application Components

A complete application to the program consists of the following materials:

The online Graduate School application.
Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended.
A cover letter detailing relevant experiences, reasons for pursuing the degree, and general plans for the graduate program of study, including identification of a graduate faculty advisor who has agreed to serve in this capacity.
A CV or resume’
Letters of recommendation from at least three individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic ability and/or relevant experience.
Optional supplementary materials evidencing any relevant and substantial preparation and/or experience of the applicant, such as a copy of a written capstone project or publication.

Process

After submitting the online application, an applicant will receive a solicitation from the Graduate School for the additional application materials. Complete applications are forwarded from the Graduate School to the program coordinator for review and recommendations in consultation with the graduate program faculty.