Master of Science in Ecology

at INTO Group - Colorado State University USA

Studying Landscape Architecture at CSU is an adventure. Taking part in a challenging course of study, students prepare themselves for careers in a field whose enormous potential has only begun to be recognized. Landscape Architecture students study design as accomplished landscape architects see it: shaping spaces as well as planning and preserving them.

Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning, and design of built and natural environments. Throughout the program, emphasis is on the relationship between design, nature, and society: the impact of environments on the individual as well as the impact of users on the environment. Registration laws for landscape architects in 49 states encourage graduation from programs such as that offered at CSU, which is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Landscape architects must analyze the natural elements of a site including the climate, soil, slope of the land, drainage, sunlight, and vegetation. Computer-aided design (CAD) has become an essential tool for landscape architects. Landscape architects often work with building architects, surveyors, engineers, and urban planners and collaborate with environmental scientists, foresters, and other professionals to find the best way to conserve or restore natural resources. Knowledge of appropriate local, state, or federal regulations such as those protecting wetlands or historic resources is essential.

Nature, culture, form, and space are the classic elements of landscape architecture with which students work in a series of design studies and related courses. Coursework focuses on a variety of landscape projects that grow more complex as the curriculum proceeds. The courses include subjects such as site design, landscape design and construction, surveying, landscape ecology, and urban and regional planning. Other courses specific to the major are history of the designed landscape, plant and soil science, geology, and professional practice. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of summer travel courses available to study highly-valued ecological/cultural sites in Colorado and designed landscapes in Europe.

The Department of Clinical Services offers a number of research opportunities for graduate students in the major Academic Centers.  Academic Centers include the Animal Heart Center, Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Pain Management, Animal Population Health Institute, Orthopaedic Research Center, Animal Cancer Center, Integrated Livestock Management, and the Center for Companion Animal Studies.

The Master of Science in clinical sciences offers two options for prospective students in a variety of research areas:

• Track 1: Those who enroll in the non-thesis clinical option are typically post-D.V.M. students also pursuing residency training programs.
• Track 2: Students who enroll in the traditional thesis-based research program may not have a D.V.M. and work under the support of a faculty member’s lab.

The Agricultural Education major is designed for students who want to learn and teach the science, business, and technology of agriculture, food, and environmental/natural resource systems. Students will develop and refine their communication skills, along with other attributes necessary to serve as educational leaders and managers. Agricultural Education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices within the field.

The Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability investigates the intricate physical, chemical, human, and biological interactions driving ecosystems.  We help develop leaders in ecosystem, watershed, and sustainability sciences: a new generation of practitioners able to address complex, integrated social-ecological problems, in collaborative partnerships with researchers, resource users and decision-makers.

It’s no secret that knowing other languages opens doors to a world of opportunities. This major offers undergraduate instruction in 10 languages, concentrations in French, German and Spanish, and opportunities for education abroad. You’ll gain the ability to communicate in another tongue, but also to analyze literary texts and films, to understand the workings of language, to appreciate diversity and to interact successfully across cultures.

Upon completion of the program of study, students will demonstrate:

• Communicative oral skills in the target language, including grammatical accuracy, correct use of tense, fluency, appropriate intonation, suitable vocabulary and discourse devices for expressing opinions or when giving research presentations.
• Communicative writing skills in the target language, including clarity of ideas, grammatical accuracy and appropriate vocabulary, adequate elaboration of ideas through a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary, and logical flow of ideas through the use of discourse organizational devices.
• Analytical skill in literary and cultural texts of the target language, including ability to formulate and present a topic of inquiry, to critically analyze the topic with valid supporting evidence, and to cogently synthesize and summarize the ideas in bibliographical sources and the results of their own analytical inquiry.
• Increased sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural and linguistic differences.

The master’s degree specializing in marriage and family therapy is an accredited program that will prepare you to be a licensed marriage and family therapist. The coursework focuses on individual and family development, evidence-based clinical practices, ethics, and social justice. The program features live therapy sessions under the supervision of the faculty in the program that will prepare you for a career in private practice, health agencies, or to go on to doctoral studies.

Zoologists study animals—their origin, behavior, diseases, and life processes. Some experiment with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings while others study the structure and function of animal cells, tissues, and organ systems. Some zoologists go on to study veterinary medicine. Zoologists participate in research that has practical outcomes in farming, medicine, pharmacy, wildlife conservation, and pest control. Zoology encompasses many specialties. At CSU, students may focus on general training in animal biology or choose a concentration in the following areas: animal behavior, development, aquatic biology, ecology (how animals adapt to their environments), genetics and evolution, invertebrate organisms, cellular/molecular biology and physiology, systematics, and morphology of vertebrate organisms.

The curriculum is designed to provide a basic understanding of zoology through a variety of laboratory experiences in combination with the study of basic theories and defining concepts. The program encourages flexibility, strength, and depth. The course work includes a two-semester introductory biology sequence, one course each in invertebrates and vertebrates, and courses in evolution and ecology. Required courses in the physical sciences include a minimum of one year of introductory chemistry and at least one course in organic chemistry, two courses in physics (all with labs) and one in biochemistry. A course each in calculus and statistics is also required. In addition, students select a minimum of 15 credits of Zoology courses in their chosen areas of concentration.

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) is an exciting field with many career opportunities. The mission of this interdepartmental major is to prepare professionals dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and the communities and environments in which they live and/or work.

Students graduate with an interdisciplinary perspective about the challenges encountered by families and consumers. Through coursework, students gain skills to assist families and consumers with quality of life decisions and challenges related to interpersonal/human relationships, consumer and financial resource management, personal development, nutrition and wellness, and balancing family and work.

This program emphasizes the management and problem-solving skills needed to be a responsible and productive individual, family member, and worker. Students take coursework in a variety of departments including, but not limited to:

• School of Education
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Design and Merchandising
• Health and Exercise Sciences

Students have the option of the FCS concentration or the FCS Education concentration. Upon graduating, students will be eligible to take the exam to be certified in FCS with the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Social work is distinguished by a tradition of concern for people and their interactions with society. Social work professionals are community problem solvers who intervene in organizational settings, communities, social service agencies, groups, individuals, and families with goals of enhancing well-being and promoting social and economic justice. Most social workers are employed in fields such as child welfare and family services, mental health, medical social work, school social work, corrections, community organization, or advocacy.

The Social Work curriculum focuses on the practical application of social work principles, policies, and practices within human rights and social justice perspectives. Students acquire a professional social work foundation transferable to different settings, population groups, and problem areas. Attention is devoted to understanding the social welfare system in the U.S., and working with individuals, families, and communities to effect the desired change. At the global level, human rights and economic, environmental and social needs are explored through international travel courses. Several practical experiences are required. Students work with an agency participant throughout their sophomore year, and then as seniors, participate in a social work agency internship. International placements may be available. The curriculum also includes a strong liberal arts base in social science research and statistics, arts, humanities, social science, and natural sciences.

The Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences offers a wide variety of graduate opportunities in cancer biology and oncology; occupational and environmental health (i.e., industrial hygiene, ergonomics); health physics, radiation sciences (i.e., radiobiology, radioecology, radiochemistry) epidemiology and toxicology.

Areas of Study

• Environmental Health & Safety