Program Description

Choose Your Pathway

The Master of Environmental Management program (MEM) has three tracks: Human Dimensions of Environmental Management, Biophysical Dimensions of Environmental Management and the Research Track.

As part of our essential hands-on, real life experience model, the School of Public Service and the MEM program have made it a requirement for each track to participate in experiential learning activities as a part of this degree.

Find program details in the course catalog

Program Details

Core Courses

Review the following table for the core classes required for all MEM students.

Course Number and Title	Credits
MEM 500 – Fundamentals of Environmental Management	3
MEM 501 – Methods for Environmental Management	3
MEM 598 – Seminar in Environmental Management	1
MEM 692 – Capstone Seminar in Environmental Management	3
Total Credits	10

Human Dimensions Track

Takes a deeper focus on the intersection between human behavior, anthropological study, and environmental preservation. You’ll study the human effect on the environment and how we can better form a relationship with it. Review the following table to learn more about the courses in this track.

Course Number and Title	Credits
MEM Core Requirements	10
MEM 502 Diverse Perspectives in Environmental Management	3
Take one of the following courses: SPS 508 – Maximum Likelihood Estimation SPS 502 – Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences SPS 503 – Qualitative Methods for the Social Sciences	3
Take at least two of the following human dimensions courses: ANTH 513 – Research Design in Anthropology ANTH 524 – Introduction to Cultural Resource Management PUBADM 540 – Contemporary Issues in Environmental Policy PUBADM 548 – Natural Resource and Environmental Governance HIST 581 – Selected Topics Western Hemisphere HES 610 – Spatial Analysis	6
Take at least 3 credits in Experiential Learning: ANTH 570 – Archaeology Field School BIOL 598 – Seminar ENVSTD 482 – Environmental Field School HES 598 – Seminar MEM 598 – Seminar MEM 590 – Internship URBAN 490 – Urban Studies Field School VIP 500 – Vertically Integrated Projects	1-12
Elective credits and other courses used to satisfy requirements within the track must be approved by the Program Coordinator	5

Biophysical Dimensions Track

You’ll think about environmental management via the lens of science. You’ll learn ways you can determine preservation needs through scientific study and come up with scientific solutions to common wilderness problems. Review the following table to learn more about the courses in this track.

Biophysical Dimensions Course Requirements Table

Course Number and Title	Credits
MEM Core Requirements	10
MEM 502 Diverse Perspectives in Environmental Management	3
Take at least one of the following: BIOL 535 – Ecosystem Ecology BIOL 535 – Modern Methods in Ecology and Behavior GEOG 561 – Remote Sensing and Image Processing GEOPH 522 – Data Analysis and Geostatistics HES 505 – Introduction to Spatial Dada Mgmt.,Analysis, ans Vis. SPS 502 – Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences	3
Take at least two of the following Biophysical Dimension courses: BIOL 522 – Conservation Biology BIOL 535 – Ecosystem Ecology CS 533 – Introduction to Data Science EEB 603 – Reproducible Science EEB 621 – Advanced Ecological Data Analysis GEOS 505 – Research Computing in Earth Science GEOPH 522 – Geostatistics	6
Take at least 3 credits in Experiential Learning: ANTH 570 – Archaeology Field School BIOL 598 – Seminar ENVSTD 482 – Environmental Field School HES 580 – Selected Topics in HES MEM 598 – Seminar MEM 590 – Practicum/Internship URBAN 490 – Urban Studies Field School VIP 500 – Vertically Integrated Projects	1-12
Elective credits and other courses used to satisfy requirements within the track must be approved by the Program Coordinator	5

Research Track

Researchers are essential at doing field work, gathering essential data and giving first-hand accounts on current natural problems. If you choose this track, you’ll be doing critical work at collecting data that can be used to inform and create more harmonious environmental management systems. Review the following table to learn more about the courses in this track.

Research Track Course Requirements Table

Course Number and Title	Credits
MEM Core Requirements	10
Take one of the following research design courses: EEB 603 – Reproducible Science GEOS 601 – Introduction to Research Program Development PUBADM 609 – Advanced Research Design PUBADM 609 – Research Design and Measurement	3
Take at least one of the following: ANTH 504 – Statistical Methods in Anthropology EEB 603 – Reproducible Science HES 600 – SES (Social-Ecological Systems) Research Methods HIST 501 – The Practice of History MEM 502 – Diverse Perspectives in Environmental Management SPS 502 – Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences SPS 503 – Qualitative Methods for the Social Sciences	3
MEM 593 – Thesis	7
Elective credits (7-8) must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee