Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook 2016
Environmental Sciences GraduateStudent Handbook2016-2017Graduate Program Office1269 Energy, Coast, andEnvironment Building(225) 578-8522www.environmental.lsu.edu
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESGRADUATE STUDENT HANDOOKTable of ContentsTimelines and Responsibilities . 3Welcome . 4Program Overview . 5Table 1. Department of Environmental Sciences Graduate Courses . 6Degree Programs . 7Department of Environmental Sciences Requirements . 8Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Sciences (SENVS) . 10MS – Thesis Option .10MS – Professional Option .13Suggested sequence of courses for the MS degree .14Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Sciences . 15Minor in Wetland Science and Management (under revision) . 18Graduate School Regulations . 19Graduation .20Useful Information .20Final Notes .22Faculty . 23Current Courses Offered by Environmental Sciences . 252016-2017 Academic Calendar . 30Required Forms. 34Department of Environmental Sciences Committee Form .35Program of Study for the MS Degree-Thesis Option .36Program of Study for the MS Degree-Professional Option .37Programs of Study for the PhD program .38Graduate Student Annual Report .39Graduate Assistant Annual Review Form .40Department of Environmental Sciences Committee Form .42Current Students . 43Department of Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook - 2
Timelines and ResponsibilitiesRequirementPerson(s) ResponsibleRead Graduate Student HandbookStudents & FacultySelect a Major Professor & Supervisory Committee MS StudentsCompletion DateOngoingEnd of second semester [Or aftercompleting 12 hrs - if parttime]End of second semesterComplete Program of Study and file in AcademicOfficeStudents & MajorProfessorSubmit Research Project Proposal To MajorProfessorMS StudentsEnd of second semesterContact Academic Cooirdinator/Major Professorto complete Application for Degree FormsMS StudentsSemester prior to GraduationMeet with Committee Members to ScheduleDefense/Presentation Date(s)ALL STUDENTSSemester prior to graduation (Atleast 3 weeks before deadline)Contact major professor to complete Request forMaster’s ExaminationMS StudentsDefense date (or before set byGraduate School)Make arrangements (room, equipment) forThesis/Non-Thesis document to all CommitteeMembersStudent & AcademicCoordinatorAt beginning of semester youplan to graduateSubmit complete copy of final draft ofThesis/Non-Thesis document to all CommitteemembersMS StudentsAt least two weeks prior to thepublic defense dateMake appointment with Grad School Thesis editorto review your ThesisMS Thesis StudentsAt least two weeks prior to thepublic defense dateDefend Thesis/Professional Project Prior todeadlineSign MS Degree Exam Cards and Approval Sheets(Thesis Only)Make Corrections to Professional documentsubmit copy to Academic CoordinatorTake signed Degree Exam Cards to GraduateSchoolMake coorections to Thesis & obtain finalapproval from committeeSubmit Thesis electronicallySubmit one copy of thesis to Department ofEnvironmental Sciences with 8.00 binding feeplus additional copies to be boundSubmit thesis copies to library to be boundMS StudentsDate stated on Request forMaster’s ExamDay of public defenseReturn departmental keys & equipmentStudent’s CommitteeProfessional studentAcademic CoordinatorPrior to published semesterdeadlineImmediately afterStudent & CommitteePrior to published deadlineStudentMS Thesis StudentPrior to published deadlineAfter notification of approval byGraduate SchoolAcademic CoordinatorWhen student submits copiesStudentsPRIOR to graduationDepartment of Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook - 3
WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESThis handbook is designed to help incoming and resident graduate students fulfill theirgraduate degree requirements. The handbook is your guide to the policies and proceduresset forth by the LSU Graduate School and the Department of Environmental Sciences.Please refer to this document and use it in conjunction with the LSU Graduate Bulletin. It isyour responsibility to keep current of any changes in the requirements that the GraduateSchool may implement after your admission, and to be certain to adhere to any newpolicies.The information included in this Handbook should make your life somewhat easier. Wehope this material will inform and assist you in accomplishing your career goals.Dr. Kevin Armbrust, ChairDr. Crystal N. Johnson, Graduate AdvisorMs. Charlotte St. Romain, Academic CoordinatorVacant, Assistant to the ChairIf you have any questions about Graduate School or departmental regulations or requirements, donot hesitate to contact Ms. St. Romain in the Academic Office, 1269 Energy, Coast, and EnvironmentBuilding (578-8522 or cstrom4@lsu.edu) or Dr. Johnson (578-9422 or cnjohnson@lsu.edu).Note that this Handbook does not overrule, substitute, or amend in any way the requirements of theLSU Graduate School (https://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/graduateschool/).Refer to the Graduate Bulletin (http://catalog.lsu.edu/content.php?catoid 2&navoid 196) for all therules and regulations of the Graduate School.Department of Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook - 4
PROGRAM OVERVIEWThe Department of Environmental Sciences is a multidisciplinary research and academic unitwhose mission is to provide the academic talents and knowledge needed to solve environmentalproblems that are important to Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico region, and comparable areasthroughout the nation and the world. The department offers a variety of courses relating to theenvironment – from Environmental Toxicology to Environmental Planning and Management.The Department offers graduate students a wide range of classroom experiences, field researchopportunities, and interactions with decision makers facing real-world environmental challenges.The faculty are committed to the holistic development of the next generation of environmentalleaders in academia, business, public agencies, and non-governmental organizations.In order to provide students with a holistic understanding of environmental sciences andenvironmental challenges, the Department’s curriculum reflects the three priority areas identifiedby the 2003 National Science Foundation report on Environmental Research and Education(Complex Environmental Systems: Synthesis for Earth, Life, and Society in the 21st Century). TheDepartment adapted and renamed the three priority areas as:Biophysical Systems (Coupled Biological and Physical Systems)Environmental Planning and Management (Coupled Human and Natural Systems)Environmental Assessment and Analysis (Coupled People and Technology)Biophysical Systems focuses on the processes, dynamics, and interactions between the physical,chemical, and biological aspects of the environment. The biophysical and geochemical bases ofcurrent environmental issues such as air, water, and soil pollution, biodiversity, energy, natural andchemical hazards. The effects of global change on humans and ecosystems are emphasized.Environmental Planning and Management focuses on the application of scientific principles tosupport decision-making, occurring within the public and private sectors, that determines humaninteraction with and use of the natural environment. Major areas of teaching and research includeland-use planning, natural hazards mitigation, policy analysis and evaluation and environmentallaw and regulations. The field is proactive in orientation, providing both theory and appliedtechniques, including methods for environmental impact analysis and comprehensive planning.These skill sets support more sustainable uses of natural resources and environmental services sothat the resilience of linked social-ecological systems may be enhanced.Environmental Assessment and Analysis provides research and training in the area ofdevelopment and application of technology for evaluation of environmental conditions andsupports development of strategies to improve or restore degraded areas. This includes a focus onresearch methods including principles of data collection and analysis, analytical lab techniques,spatial modeling, remote sensing, GIS, and statistics.All the graduate courses offered by the Department are categorized into one of these three areasand are listed in Table 1.Department of Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook - 5
Table 1. Department of Environmental Sciences Graduate CoursesPriority AreaCourse nameCore CoursesENVS 7700 Integrated Environmental Issues (3 credit hours)ENVS 7995 Environmental Seminar (1 credit hour)ENVS 8000 Thesis credits (6 credit hours- MS thesis students)ENVS 7997 Environmental Practicum (3 credit hours- MS professionaloption students- to be taken during final semester)ENVS 9000 Dissertation credits (9 credit hours – PhD students)ENVS 4007 Cancer: A Family of Enviornmental DiseasesENVS 4010 Applied EcologyENVS 4015 Physical ClimatologyENVS 4035 Aquatic PollutionENVS 4101 Environmental ChemistryENVS 4045 Air Pollution and SocietyENVS 4477 Environmental Toxicology – Introduction and ApplicationENVS 4500 Health Effects of Environmental PollutantsENVS 4600 Global Environmental ChangeENVS 7110 Toxicology of Aquatic EnvironmentENVS 7112 Concepts in Marine EcotoxicologyENVS 7151 Watershed Hydrology and Floodplain AnalysisENVS 7623 Toxicology IENVS 7626 Genetic ToxicologyENVS 4261 Energy and the EnvironmentENVS 4262 Environmental Hazard AnalysisENVS 4264 Regulation of Environmental HazardsENVS 4266 Ocean PolicyENVS 4268 Environmental and Natural Resources PolicyENVS 7040 Environmental Planning/ManagementENVS 7041 Environmental Policy AnalysisENVS 7042 Environmental Conflict ResolutionENVS 7043 Environmental Law and RegulationENVS 7044 Regulation of Toxic SubstancesENVS 7045 Land Use Law and RegulationENVS 7046 International Environmental LawENVS 7047 Environmental Economics and PolicyENVS 7048 Natural Resources Law and Policy SeminarENVS 4145 Remote Sensing Fundamentals for Environmental ScientistsENVS 4149 Design of Environmental Management SystemsENVS 4900 Watershed HydrologyENVS 7010 Math Modeling: Energy and Environmental ManagementENVS 7050 Spatial Modeling of Environmental DataEXST 7003; 7004; or 7005 Introduction to Statistical MethodsENVS 7900 Special Problems (Consent of instructor)A:Biophysical Systems(Coupled Biologicaland PhysicalSystems)B:EnvironmentalPlanning andManagement(Coupled Humanand NaturalSystems)C:EnvironmentalAssessment andAnalysis (PeopleandTechnology)ElectivesDepartment of Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook - 6
DEGREE PROGRAMSThe Department offers the following graduate degrees:Master of Science (MS) degree in Environmental SciencesDoctorate (PhD) degree in Environmental SciencesPhD minor in Environmental Sciences (coupled with other major doctorate degree)Collaborative graduate programs with Southern University and LSU-Shreveport are also available.In order to provide students with a holistic training to meet today's environmental challenges, thegraduate curriculum is organized according to three priority areas:Group A - Biophysical Systems (coupled biological and physical systems);Group B - Environmental Planning and Management (coupled human and natural systems);Group C - Environmental Assessment and Analysis (coupled people and technology).Research activities within the department include environmental assessment and resourcesustainability, environmental microbial ecology, molecular phylogenetics, water quality, air qualityand air transport modeling (we do not have anybody doing air modelling), bioremediation,environmental management, environmental toxicology, genetic toxicology, environmentalregulations, policy development, hazardous waste management, the environmental impact of toxicchemicals, remote sensing, geographic information science, environmental health, andenvironmental decision making. (this section should be reviewed by all faculty based on the currentresearch)Individualized programs of study for each student are developed in consultation with and approvedby the student’s graduate advisory committee. The committee includes the student’s major advisorand at least two additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’srequirements for graduate committees are satisfied.Department of Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook - 7
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES REQUIREMENTSMAJOR PROFESSORIf you are an MS student, you have been assigned an initial faculty advisor for the first semester.The initial advisor will help you select the appropriate courses and provide advice about researchopportunities in the department. During the first semester of residence, you must select a researchadvisor (Major Professor) from the graduate faculty of the department. The choice of majorprofessor should be the result of exploration and mutual agreement between you and the facultymember. Once your major professor is selected, you should inform the Academic Office.For PhD students, admission to the Department is on a sponsorship basis, and your major professoris the faculty member who has agreed to serve as your mentor. She or he has agreed to providefunding (if available) and guidance during your stay here. Your fate and future are in the hands ofyour major professor. She or he will serve as chair of your graduate advisory committee and willsupervise your research.GRADUATE COMMITTEEYour committee is the group of graduate faculty who finally approves your work and recommendsawarding the degree. It is an extension of your major professor and can be an enormous help toyou. Choose individuals with specific specializations that can strengthen your work. Yourcommittee must include at least three members of the Graduate Faculty, one of whom must be a fullmember; two must be from ENVS.Your committee is a resource. Use them and seek their advice during all aspectsof your program. During your first semester meet with your advisor and select a committee (Turn inCommittee Form Sheet to the Academic Office as soon as it is formed).Get the committee together for a short meeting to establish the general direction ofyour work, appropriate courses, and guidelines they have; then meet at least onceper year.Keep them informed of progress through regular meetings and/or individual contact.Find out what they expect in your thesis or dissertation (When you have completedyour research, it is too late for anything but "cosmetic" changes--use your committeeearly and often).They examine your work and okay your research plans. Therefore get to know them,what research they do, what they have published. Many of them have pet theoriesand questions that crop up in every exam. Find out what they are!It is important to note that student advising and academic counseling should come first andforemost from a student's major professor and advisory committee.Responsibilities of the student's major professor and committee include the following:1) to guide, inform, and counsel the student;2) to discuss and approve a Program of Study and a research or professional option topic;3) to review progress during each and every semester and provide advice during the student'sresearch; and4) to complete a Graduate Student Annual Report for each student advisee.Department of Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook - 8
PROGRAM OF STUDYAn effective graduate degree program requires that course work, research and assistantship dutiesall reinforce the student's educational objectives. To facilitate this coordination, the Departmentrequires that a comprehensive Program of Study be formulated as soon as is practical. You and yourmajor professor are expected to develop a program of study during your second semester in thegraduate program. The program of study should include a comprehensive listing of courses youexpect to take during your stay in the Department of Environmental Sciences and, where practical,when you plan to take those courses. Your Advisory Committee must approve the Program of Studyand the form must be submitted to the Academic Office before the end of your second semester inthe graduate program. (See Forms section). If any changes are made to the original Program ofStudy, you must file those updates as they occur.GRADUATE STUDENT ANNUAL REPORTYou should
Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Handbook 2016-2017 Graduate Program Office 1269 Energy, Coast, and Environment Building (225) 578-8522 . ENVS 4145 Remote Sensing Fundamentals for Environmental Scientists ENVS 4149 Design of Environmental
University of Northern Iowa Graduate Student Handbook Page 2 of 20. Dear Graduate Student, Unlock your Potential. Start your Future. Our Graduate Student Handbook is designed for you, our newest members of the UNI graduate community. You will find resources to help you start achieving before you even step on campus. The handbook will unlock some
Graduate Student Profile must be submitted by the end of a student's second week on campus to the Graduate Student Coordinator, who maintains profiles of MAE graduate students. This ensures the department has current contact information. An updated Graduate Student Profile form should be submitted to the Graduate Student Coordinator
COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN GRADUATE HANDBOOK Draft Updated: August 2014 Page 3 OVERVIEW OF GRADUATE HANDBOOK In accord with established Graduate School Policies (See UTK Graduate Catalog), The College of Architecture and Design (CoAD) Graduate Handbook describes specific how these policies are carried out in the CoAD Graduate Programs of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
Applied Sociology MA Program Handbook 1 Applied Sociology MA Together, the Graduate Student Handbook and your graduate program handbook should serve as your main guide throughout your graduate career. The Graduate Student Handbook includes university information, polic
University of Maryland, Baltimore County Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, Maryland 21250 (410) 455-2491 I have read and acknowledge acceptance of this Graduate Student Handbook. Signatures _ Graduate Student Graduate Program Director Date GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK
STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2015 GRADUATE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. The OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY School of Earth Sciences Guidelines for Graduate Students . Earth Sciences Degree Programs (Coordinated with OSU Graduate School
UCF Graduate Program Handbooks 2016 2017 Last Updated 2011 06 21 Optics and Photonics MS Together, the Graduate Student Handbook and your graduate program handbook should serve as your main guide throughout your graduate career. The Graduate Student Handbook includes university information, policies, requirements and guidance for all .
to Elementary Reading in Curriculum 2.0, and the Balanced Literacy Guides for Grades K–1 and 25. – These were analyzed for their implementation of the ELA/Literacy Instructional Shifts: Regular practice with complex text and its academic language; reading, writing , and speaking grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational; and uilding knowledge through contentb -rich .
