Master of Science in Natural Resources (Environmental Economics)

at University of New Hampshire - Durham Campus USA

The non-thesis option is designed for UNH undergraduates who have a demonstrated capacity to engage in upper-level course work and desire hands-on practice and research training for an advanced degree.

The Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems B.A. provides students with a broad base of knowledge and experiences with modern agriculture and food systems. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems is an interdisciplinary field comprising the social, physical, and life sciences and beyond. Agriculture is key to solving many of the major challenges facing the world; such as producing food to meet the needs of an ever-growing population while conserving land, water, and soil resources.

Our students get hands-on experience in applied coursework, and we encourage our students to conduct research alongside faculty. Our students become practitioners and entrepreneurs of agricultural and food businesses, researchers and policy-makers at state/federal agencies and non-profit organizations, laboratory technicians, and agricultural educators. Some go on to obtain an advanced degree in the agricultural sciences.

The College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA) and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) jointly offer a bachelor of science degree in environmental sciences. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the interaction of biological, chemical, and physical processes that shape the environment, and control the response of natural systems to human activities.    Students graduating with a degree in environmental sciences will have an understanding of these interacting processes, experience working in interdisciplinary teams to apply this understanding, and the ability to communicate effectively with both scientific and lay audiences.  While in this program, students will acquire significant experience with field, laboratory and analytical methods appropriate for employment in professional environmental science positions as well as a basic understanding of environmental policy.  The University of New Hampshire is a recognized leader in environmental sciences research, and the environmental sciences program capitalizes on faculty expertise in this area. Program faculty emphasize teaching and research in the areas of biogeochemical cycling, environmental chemistry, ecosystem science, global change, hydrology, plant ecology, soil science, and water resource management among many other fields.

Employment opportunities include environmental consulting firms; educational facilities (e.g., science centers), environmental monitoring laboratories (e.g., water treatment plants, the Environmental Protection Agency), government agencies (e.g., the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resource Conservation Service), university and government research laboratories, and nongovernment environmental organizations. The environmental sciences program also constitutes an excellent preparation for graduate programs in several areas relating to the environment.

The Program has four options, and specific course requirements for the major vary by option. The ecosystems and soils and watersheds options are both managed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment in COLSA, and the geosystems and hydrology options are both managed by Earth Sciences in CEPS. 

In this program students gain a comprehensive understanding of nutritional science through their coursework and engagement in research. Emphasis is placed on active participation in original hypothesis-­driven research of publishable quality. The program is for students who anticipate a professional career involving research or discovery, with a strong background in the basic biology and chemistry of nutrition. This degree may be most appropriate for students who expect to pursue further advanced study, e.g., additional graduate studies or professional school, after graduation.

Biotechnology focuses on the application of the biological and biochemical sciences, and particularly genetics, to the preparation of new and enhanced biomedical, industrial, agricultural, and environmental products. Graduate instruction in this area would include molecular biology, cell and tissue culturing, protein biologic development, bioinformatics, functional and comparative genomics, applied immunology, DNA sequencing, tissue biology and engineering, industrial microbiology, drug development, intellectual property, clinical trials, biotechnology management and marketing, applicable regulations, and biotechnology ethics.

The M.S. in Biotechnology: Industrial and Biomedical Sciences (MS Biotech:IBMS) program at the University of New Hampshire is a STEM-designated graduate degree program that offers its students innovative experiential learning opportunities and delivers a content-rich, skills-based, and highly versatile curriculum for individuals seeking to advance their careers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and biomanufacturing sectors. Students will complete a project, internship, or co-op experience as part of their degree program. The MS Biotech:IBMS program has a core foundation in the theory and wet-laboratory skills of cell and tissue biology and culturing; protein and immunologic methods and therapeutics; and the molecular biotechnology of nucleic acids. Students are also required to develop a substantial background understanding of biotech product lifecycle and the regulatory and legal implications therein. After demonstrating proficiency in the core biotechnology knowledge areas, MS Biotech:IBMS students will work with a faculty advisor to create a customized program of study that may include content from diverse graduate programs across the UNH campuses.

The Integrative and Organismal Biology (IOB) option offers a home to students interested in basic organismal biology in all of its diverse aspects (physiology, neurobiology, behavior, cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, systematics, etc.), in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Modern biology employs approaches and tools ranging from molecular to ecological levels to gain a deep understanding of organismal functions and adaptations. Students in IOB approach their studies with a focus on organisms, and apply whatever tools are necessary to answer thematic and specific questions. Students interested in combining hands-­on biological projects with research on teaching and learning biology at the post-­secondary level should choose this option. Students completing degrees in IOB will be prepared for a wide range of professional careers in animal and/or plant biology, whether in academia, government, research, or non­profit organizations.

Design and theatre technology students who show significant progress and ability may earn the opportunity to demonstrate practical application of their studies through the department’s main stage production design assignments. Through classwork, production assignments and problem-solving, this option prepares students for both practical skills and aesthetic sensibilities needed for the creation of visual and technical elements for the performing arts. The challenging coursework provides both fundamental knowledge and critical thinking practice, which are skills that help students pursue a successful profession in theatre and related fields; the core principles of hard work, problem-solving and creativity are transferable to other career paths as well. UNH-trained graduates hold careers across the nation as designers, technical directors, stage managers, property masters, head electricians and scenic artists.

The Department of Political Science at UNH offers the Master of Arts in Political Science. The program provides advanced study in international relations and American and comparative politics. The program serves students interested in working in government, public service, nonprofit management, electoral politics, education and research, and in preparing for Ph.D. programs. It gives students the flexibility to tailor their coursework to individual interests within a curriculum that ensures a strong foundation in international and domestic politics, research methods, and analysis. Faculty engage in teaching and research activities encompassing the fields of international and comparative politics, American politics, and political thought.

The B.A. in Computer Science will allow students to combine the study of computer science with the study of another field. Given the emergence of computational approaches to virtually all areas of scholarship and creative expression, it is important to offer this flexibility. The three tracks in the B.A. program contain the same computer science core as the B.S. program, but give more control to the student to choose the complementary and advanced courses. 

An M.S. in chemical engineering can help you unlock your career potential or enter the world of entrepreneurship. In fact, this advanced degree can translate into more than $15,000 annually in salary compared to those with an undergraduate degree alone. Our program will introduce you to the exciting world of chemical engineering research, teaching you how to plan and execute research activities and interpret results. You’ll complete a research thesis in an area such as bioengineering, electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, reaction and energy engineering, or environmental engineering. You’ll be prepared to enter the workforce with a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of chemical engineering.