Program Overview

Program Overview

The Environmental Studies BA/Environmental Science BS + Systems Science MS program is a combined degree program that requires 127 credits total, with 118 undergraduate credit hours plus 9 graduate credit hours of the Master of Science in Systems Science program.

Program Requirements

The program requirements and objectives specific to the Environmental Studies/Science & Systems Science 4+1 Program are as follows:

• The program restricts admission to students with exceptional academic records.
• Students should apply for the 4+1 program no later than the beginning of their junior year, and admission decisions will be made no later than the spring of their junior year.
• Application and admissions processes are through the Systems Science program and the Graduate School.
• Admission decisions will be based on course grades, normally requiring a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better and a GPA of 3.5 or better in Environmental Studies/Science major courses.
• Additional requirements for admission include:
  • At least two letters of recommendation
  • A current resume
  • A personal statement of approximately 500 words that addresses the student's:
    • Reasons for choosing systems science as the field of graduate study
    • Values and concerns brought to the study of systems science
    • Present and future professional goals
    • Desire to contribute to the field of systems science

Program Structure

• Prior to senior year, undergraduates complete 98 credits that meet all of the undergraduate requirements for Harpur Arts & Sciences division, upper-level, writing, and general education, plus all but 29 credits needed for the Environmental Studies major.
• During the senior year, undergraduates complete 20 undergraduate credits and the remaining 9 credits needed for the undergraduate degree.
• The 9 credits of M.S. Systems Science courses in the senior year are double counted as undergraduate elective credits and M.S. credits to complete the baccalaureate degree.
• Students in the combined degree program must undertake 8 full-time semesters (or equivalent) for completion of the Environmental Studies B.A. or Environmental Science B.S. degree and an additional 2 full-time semesters for the completion of the entire combined degree program.

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of the B.A./B.S. in year four (including both the General Education & Harpur College requirements for graduation)
• A "B" or better in graduate education coursework
• Satisfactory completion of the other requirements of the Systems Science program

Course Offerings

• Course offerings in the Environmental Studies/Science & Systems Science 4+1 program will coincide with the normal offerings of the existing Environmental Studies/Science and Master of Science in Systems Science Programs.