Coastal and Watershed Science Policy, M.S. Degree Requirements

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Coastal and Watershed Science & Policy, M.S. ~ Degree Requirements

Semester Credits Required

Credits in the program: 30-36

Outcomes, Courses, and Assessment

The learning outcomes focus on research technology and methodology; science, economics, and policy; and the ability to integrate and apply knowledge of physical, biological, economic, and political processes within the coastal zone. These outcomes are delivered and assessed primarily through course-based projects, papers, presentations, and a master’s thesis. You showcase your area(s) of depth and interdisciplinary understanding via a graduate thesis project which focuses on a fundamental aspect of an environmental issue that demonstrates how science and economics can inform policies related to your particular environmental issue.

Your Master of Science degree will be conferred after you successfully do all of the following:

  • Advance to candidacy by successfully completing first year courses with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Demonstrate competency in the eight Learning Outcomes through completion of courses as listed below. 
  • Maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average in all required courses.
  • Submit a thesis approved by your thesis advisory committee. The thesis must conform to the rules and standards set forth by CSUMB.
  • Present an oral thesis defense including an open seminar thesis presentation and a defense before your thesis advisory committee.

LO 1 Science Interdisciplinarity & Science-Policy Integration ~ Explain the interactions among science, technology, economics, and policy. Show how they lead to workable solutions to complex environmental problems.

  • Complete both of the following: ESSP 500 Graduate Seminar I; ESSP 502 Graduate Seminar II

LO 2 Research Methods ~ Design, conduct, analyze, and communicate the findings of a science or social science investigation based upon a scholarly review of the relevant literature.

  • Complete one of the following: ESSP 550/550L Research Methods; MLML 504 Sampling and Experimental Design; IPS 562 Data Analysis

LO 3 Geospatial Research Technology ~ Make or interpret precise and accurate measures of environmental conditions and/or human behavior using current geospatial research technology.

  • Complete one of the following: ESSP 532/532L Advanced GIS/GPS; ESSP 536/536L Remote Sensing and Image Processing

LO 4 Coastal Zone Policy ~ Explain and apply principles of coastal planning and policy making. Analyze and evaluate policies, use primary sources of information, and apply relevant evidence. Through experiential learning, participate in coastal politics.

  • Complete: ESSP 586 Coastal Zone Management and Policy

LO 5 Environmental Economics ~ Apply elements of micro and macroeconomics to conceptualize, analyze, and describe environmental policy issues relevant to coastal communities. Describe and use empirical methods in economics (e.g. benefit-cost analysis, input-output analysis, econometrics) to conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of economic data.

  • Complete: ESSP 580 Environmental and Resource Economics

LO 6 Natural Science ~ Explain and apply advanced principles and theories of a life science or earth science field.

  • Complete one of the following: ESSP 560/560L Watershed Systems; ESSP 542/542L Vernal Pools of Fort Ord; ESSP 561/561L Watershed Restoration; an advisor-approved MLML course

LO 7 Area of Emphasis ~ Demonstrate depth in one area of emphasis—technology, policy, economics , or science—by taking a second course in that area.

Technology Emphasis

  • Complete one of the following (in addition to the course completed to satisfy LO 3): ESSP 423 Signal Processing; ESSP 530 Electronic Projects for Ecosystem Research and Exploration; ESSP 532 Advanced GIS; ESSP 533 Seafloor Mapping, ESSP 536 Remote Sensing and Image Processing; ESSP 536 Remote Sensing and Image processing; ESSP 540 Ecological Modeling; an advisor-approved MLML course

Policy Emphasis

  • Complete one of the following (in addition to the course completed to satisfy LO 4): PS 504 Policy Analysis and Research Methods; IPS 583 International Negotiations; IPS 595 Program Evaluation Methods; IS 520 Public Budgeting; an advisor-approved Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) or CSUMB Master's in Public Policy (MPP) course

Economics Emphasis

  • Complete (in addition to the course completed to satisfy LO 5): an advisor-approved Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) or CSUMB Master's in Public Policy (MPP) course

Natural Science Emphasis

  • Complete one of the following (in addition to the course completed to satisfy LO 6): BIO 445 Advanced Marine Ecology; BIO 542 Vernal Pools of Fort Ord; GEOL 560 Watershed Systems; ESSP 561 Watershed Restoration; an advisor-approved MLML course

LO 8 Critical Thinking ~ Produce a professional-quality written thesis report that demonstrates expertise in a chosen research topic.