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Environmental Science and Management

  • Accelerated
  • Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management
  • Erie, Pennsylvania
View Curriculum
  • Program Overview

    The program in Environmental Science and Management is diverse and dynamic, focusing on challenges in both the outdoor and indoor environment. The Department of Environmental Science & Engineering draws upon established relationships with local industries and environmental agencies making Gannon University a regional leader in environmental quality, environmental health, and environmental management.

    Two options are offered within the M.S. program: 1.) Environmental Health & Safety and 2.) Environmental Management.  Graduates of the Environmental Health & Safety option have the ability to develop and implement technologies to improve and protect both environmental and human health.  Many graduates are employed in areas of environmental compliance in industry, consulting firms or the government.  Students whose career plans are management and administrative in nature may pursue the Environmental Management option.  This option combines environmental science courses with business courses in order to prepare students for environmental leadership roles.

    What Makes Us Different

    • Students benefit from Gannon's location on the shores of Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie  
      Access to Gannon's water research vessel the Environaut.
    • Environmental Science and Management students conduct research on the Great Lakes including issues such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water.
    • Students have numerous local internship opportunities with local industries, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations.

    Curriculum

    A minimum of 30 credits are required for the M.S. degree in both options. Each student's program is crafted to meet the student's individual career needs.

    Option in Environmental Health & Safety

    Learning Outcomes for Environmental Health & Safety Option

    Graduates of the Environmental Science & Management program Environmental Health & Safety option should demonstrate:

    • knowledge of environmental health, science, and engineering fundamentals relevant to the areas of air, water, land, and soil; 
    • capability to design an environmental research study, to collect and analyze data, and communicate the results; 
    • understanding of environmental regulations and the roles of public and private organizations in environmental regulatory compliance; 
    • the ability to communicate effectively and function as a member on multi-disciplinary teams;
    • knowledge of contemporary environmental issues on a local and global scale;
    • contributions, such as service, to the profession and/or community.

    Requirements for the Option in Environmental Health & Safety 

    • GENV 500  Environmental Research Methods  3 
    • GENV 536  Environmental Chemistry  3
    • GENV 537 Environmental Chemistry Lab  1 
    • GENV 542  Environmental Toxicology  3 
    • GENV 544  Environmental Law & Reg.  3
    • GENV 643  Principles of Environmental  Science & Engineering  3
    • GENV 694 Thesis 6-9 or GENV 695 Research Paper or Project 3

    Additional GENV electives approved by the program director to satisfy the program requirements of 30 credits.  

    Option in Environmental Management 

    The role of the environmental manager has evolved rapidly since the enactment of sweeping environmental legislation of the early 1970s.  The need for environmental professionals continues to this day. Proper environmental stewardship can lead to greater competitiveness and profitability and is required under numerous federal regulations.  The need for individuals who understand business and management principles, and who also have a thorough understanding of environmental science and technology is in high demand.  

    Learning Outcomes for the Management Option

    Graduates of the Environmental Science & Management program Environmental Management option should demonstrate:

    • an understanding of current concepts in the science and technology of pollution management and the remediation of contaminated sites, and of the role of pollution prevention and minimization in the manufacturing and service sectors;
    • knowledge of the health effects of pollution, and the strategies employed to promote a safe and healthy workplace;
    • an understanding of business and management issues and strategies;
    • the ability to apply scientific methods to define problems, gather relevant information, and analyze research results.

    Requirements for the Option in Environmental Management (30 credits)

    Environmental Science Courses (18 credits)

    • GENV 542 Environmental Toxicology
    • GENV 544 Environmental Law and Regulations
    • GENV 540/549 Industrial Health I or Industrial Safety
    • GENV 643 Principles of Environmental Science and Engineering
    • GENV 695 Research Paper or Project
    • GENV  Elective  3 credits

    Management Courses (12 credits)

    • GMBA 531 Management and Marketing Concepts
    • GMBA 561 Fundamentals of Financial Management
    • GMBA 615 Technological Environment of Business
    • GMBA 625 Strategic Planning & Decision Making
    • GMBA 635 Financial Management & Modeling
    • GMBA 655 Globally Responsible Leadership

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Proficiency in the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and physics as applied to natural and engineered environmental systems;
  2. Knowledge of environmental health, science, and engineering fundamentals relevant to the areas of air, water, land, and environmental health;
  3. Capability to design and conduct experiments for aqueous systems and to collect and analyze data in the environmental health setting;
  4. Understanding of environmental regulations and the roles of public and private organizations in environmental regulatory compliance;
  5. Ability to communicate effectively and function as a member on multi-disciplinary teams;
  6. Advanced knowledge and competency in at least one of the following specializations: water and wastewater treatment, soil and groundwater pollution, environmental modeling, environmental health and safety, or environmental management.
  7. A knowledge of contemporary environmental issues on a local and global scale.