MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy / Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
The use of geographic information systems (GIS) has become standard for many environmental professionals. At the same time, during environmental investigations, GIS remains one of the most popular and powerful applications. To enable students to exploit the complementary nature of the fields, we have eliminated the overlap between the MS in Environmental Science and Policy and the graduate certificate in GIS. This enables students to earn both the MS degree and the Graduate Certificate by completion of a total of 13 courses rather than the 15 courses that would be required to complete the programs separately. Interested students, including those already enrolled in either program, should apply to the combined MS in ESP/Graduate Certificate in GIS program.
Admissions Criteria for all Advanced Academic Programs
Program Specific Requirements
- One semester of undergraduate quantitative methods, programming, or equivalent experience.
B.A./M.S. Option for Johns Hopkins ENVS Majors
Undergraduates majoring in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies (ENVS) may apply for accelerated status toward an M.S. in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through the JHU Krieger School of Arts & Sciences' Advanced Academic Programs. Interested students should speak with their advisor and the Director of the GIS Program, Jerry Burgess (jerry.burgess@jhu.edu), in their senior year. ENVS students may apply up to two courses toward the M.S. in GIS, thereby leaving only eight more courses to complete the M.S. following receipt of their bachelor's degree. ENVS students will receive two separate degrees, so the requirements of both degrees must be fulfilled. Students cannot earn the M.S. degree without completion of the B.A. or B.S., however, students who do not complete the M.S. retain their B.A. or B.S.
Admission Requirements
ENVS students may apply for the B.A./M.S. anytime during the senior year or after conferral of their undergraduate degree. The application procedure is the same as that for other AAP applicants. Details are found online at: http://advanced.jhu.edu/. Students admitted to the B.A./M.S. program will be assigned a graduate advisor but will also continue to be advised by their ENVS advisor for all matters concerning the bachelor's degree.
Courses for the B.A./M.S. in Environmental Sciences and Policy
Up to three courses completed while an undergraduate can count toward the ten courses required for the M.S. Two of the following courses can be used to satisfy the corresponding core course requirements for the M.S. in Environmental Sciences and Policy.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AS.270.202 | Introduction to Ecology 1 | 3 |
| or AS.270.308 | Population/Community Ecology | |
| AS.270.224 | Oceans & Atmospheres 2 | 3 |
| AS.271.403 | Environmental Policymaking and Policy Analysis 3 | 3 |
| 1 | Substitutes for AS.420.611 Principles & Methods of Ecology |
| 2 | Substitutes for AS.420.608 Oceanic & Atmospheric Processes |
| 3 | Taught as a combined course with AS.420.614 Environmental Policymaking and Policy Analysis |
Courses for the B.A./M.S. in Geographic Information Systems
Up to two courses completed while an undergraduate can count toward the ten courses required for the M.S. The following courses completed while an undergraduate can be used to satisfy the corresponding core and elective course requirements for the M.S. in Geographic Information Systems.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AS.270.205 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Geospatial Analysis 1 | 3 |
| AS.270.318 | Remote Sensing of the Environment 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Substitutes for AS.430.601 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
| 2 | Substitutes for AS.430.602 Remote Sensing: Systems and Applications |
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 15 | |
Five ESP core courses | ||
Four ESP core courses plus an internship or independent research project | ||
| Electives | ||
| Five elective courses in total to include both: | ||
| AS.430.601 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 4 |
| or AS.430.603 | Geospatial Statistics | |
| AS.430.602 | Remote Sensing: Systems and Applications | 4 |
| And any three of the following: | ||
| AS.420.603 | Environmental Applications of GIS | 3 |
| AS.420.703 | Open Source GIScience for Environmental Research | 3 |
| Web GIS | ||
| Geospatial Statistics | ||
| Spatial Analytics | ||
| Development and Management of GIS Projects | ||
| Programming in GIS | ||
| GIS and Spatial Decision Support Systems | ||
| Spatial Data Management: Quality and Control | ||
| Total Credits | 29 | |
Substitution of other GIS courses allowed with approval of the Program Director.