The Master of Science in Environmental Science program at Loyola Marymount University is a career-enhancing, evening master’s program that exposes students to the most advanced, proven and sustainable approaches to protect, improve and manage environmental quality in urban and natural settings from the local to the global level. Our program provides a collaborative and student-focused environment for working professionals and full-time students to deepen their knowledge in environmental science and engineering required to investigate and solve real-world 21st century environmental problems.
Student in the program can benefit from:
- Strong Industry Ties: Our modern and professionally relevant courses are taught by faculty distinguished in industry and academia.
- Focus on Sustainability: With our Southern California backdrop, students are exposed to the most advanced, current and sustainable modern solutions to environmental problems.
- Evening Program: Courses are offered in the evening to accommodate both full‐time students and working professionals.
Program Educational Objectives
The Environmental Science graduate program has established the following program educational objectives that are consistent with the mission of the University and that describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first several years following graduation. Environmental Science program graduates will:
- Apply critical thinking skills in their profession to identify, evaluate, and develop science-based solutions to 21st century environmental issues and challenges.
- Demonstrate and apply ethical, socially equitable, and sustainable practices and principles to issues in their profession.
- Advance in their careers by staying current in the field, working on interdisciplinary teams, and/or obtaining professional certifications.
To accomplish these program educational objectives, a variety of courses in the fields of environmental science and environmental engineering are offered with an emphasis on sustainability. Additional opportunities are available to broaden the educational experience through courses in other departments, independent study, and directed research resulting in a thesis. A broad base of theory and design is provided integrating current issues and professional practices.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the M.S. in Environmental Science program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply scientific, mathematical, and sustainability principles to identify problems and analyze solutions in environmental science.
- Critically assess, evaluate, and understand sustainability, ethics, and social justice in environmental science.
- Effectively communicate scientific principles related to the environment and sustainability.
Admission Requirements
All applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree and have completed the following courses:
- At least one college-level Calculus course
- At least one college-level General Chemistry course and at least three other college-level Life and Physical Science courses, which could include Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Physics.
The department may require applicants who lack an adequate background in mathematics, chemistry, and/or science to take additional courses prior to being admitted into the program or continuing in the program. Additional admission requirements may be set by the department upon review of the applicant’s academic and professional preparation.
All applicants are required to submit:
- A completed application form and $50 application fee
- Official Transcripts of all colleges and universities attended
- A letter of intent (approximately 1.5 pages) describing the candidate’s background, career goals, and interest in the program
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate’s ability to succeed in the graduate program based on previous academic and/or professional performance
The GRE is not required for admission into the Environmental Science Master’s Program. International applicants should submit the items listed above plus the additional items required by LMU Graduate Admission.
Deferment Policy: Students admitted into this graduate program may defer their admission offer for up to one year from the initial admission entry term. A formal request should be made by the student. Requests to defer past the one-year mark from the initial admission entry term are reviewed upon request, and the decision is left to the discretion of the Admission Committee.
Transfer Credit: Students may transfer up to six (6) semester hours for courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university. Credits to be transferred must be taken prior to admission. Each transferred course grade must be at least B (3.0), and the course must not have been used to satisfy degree requirements at another college or university.
Appeal Process: The appeal process should be sought after once an admission decision has been provided, and the applicant would like to be reconsidered. To explore the appeal process, the applicant should be prepared to present new evidence of admissibility via new/additional/updated documentation aside from what was presented during the initial admission submission. Such documentation can be in the form of final grades, providing proof of updated relevant course completion and grade/s, etc.
In addition to the documents provided, the student will be required to submit a short essay stating why they are interested in having their application be reconsidered and explain how the new/updated documentation provided shows improvement for admission reconsideration. The admissions team will review the submission of all new documentation and provide the applicant with an updated decision. To request more information about this process, interested candidates in this option may contact SeaverGraduateAdmission@lmu.edu.
Program Requirements
Students enrolled in this program must successfully complete the following:
- 30 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (“B”)
- Comprehensive Oral Examination (CIVL 690 Comprehensive Oral Exam or ENVS 690 Comprehensive Oral Exam) or Masters Thesis Defense (CIVL 696 Thesis Defense or ENVS 696 Thesis Defense)
- Completion of 500-level courses with grade of B (3.0) or higher
- All core and elective requirements for the Environmental Science program
Optional Thesis
Preparation of a master’s thesis under the guidance of a faculty member is optional in both the Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Master’s programs. Students electing to perform a master’s thesis must pass ENVS 696 Thesis Defense or CIVL 696 Thesis Defense in the semester they expect to complete their thesis. The defense is in the form of a written thesis and an oral presentation. A thesis committee, selected by the student and primary research advisor, determine if the student has mastered the subject matter of the thesis, understands the work done by others, and can critically assess that work and his/her own work. No later than two weeks prior to the thesis defense presentation, the student must provide their written thesis to their thesis committee for review. Students who elect to prepare a master’s thesis are not required to take the ENVS 690 Comprehensive Oral Exam/CIVL 690 Comprehensive Oral Exam. Formal requirements may be obtained from the Chairperson. Please see our research page for further information on research opportunities.
Thesis students also have the option to enroll in a 3-semester-hour master’s thesis independent studies (ENVS 695 Master Thesis or CIVL 695 Master Thesis) in any term with Chairperson and thesis advisor consent. The master’s thesis independent studies can satisfy an Elective requirement, may be taken a maximum of two times, and may be taken only once in a semester.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Semester Hours |
| CIVL 601 | Sustainable Water Quality and Resources | 3 |
| CIVL 605 | Aquatic Chemistry | 3 |
| ENVS 606 | Applied Environmental Microbiology | 3 |
| 0 |
| Comprehensive Oral Exam | |
| Comprehensive Oral Exam |
| Thesis Defense | |
| Thesis Defense |
| Environmental Engineering and Science Lab | |
| Remote Sensing with Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Applications | |
| Spatial Data Analysis and Geographical Information Systems | |
| Engineering Geology | |
| Ecosystem Services in Urban Landscapes | |
| Urban Coasts: Habitats, Stressors, and Resilience | |
| Environmental Toxicology and Health Risk | |
| Climate Change and Impacts | |
| Climate Change Mitigation | |
| Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience | |
| Environmental Health | |
| Sustainability, Health, and Equity | |
| Independent Studies (up to one with Chairperson consent) | |
| Contaminant Fate, Transport, and Remediation | |
| Water Treatment Processes | |
| Water Reuse and Desalination | |
| Advanced Integrated Water Treatment Systems | |
| Applied Fluid Mechanics | |
| Surface Water Hydrology | |
| Urban Water Systems and Stormwater Management | |
| Groundwater Contaminant Transport and Remediation | |
| Nonlinear Structural Analysis | |
| Building Information Modeling | |
| Design of Masonry Structures | |
| Modeling Environmental and Water Resources Systems | |
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | |
| Finite Element Methods | |
| Air Quality, Control, and Management | |
| Sustainable Waste Management | |
| Economics of Water and the Environment | |
| Sustainable Engineering | |
| Renewable Energy Systems | |
| Project Management | |
| Research in Civil Engineering & Environmental Science | |
| Master Thesis (up to two) | |
| |
| Total Semester Hours | 30 |
