Environmental Systems Graduate Program

Environmental Systems is an interdisciplinary Masters of Science program that helps students better understand and shape the complex systems that underpin our society. Each of the three focus area options listed below provide a solid scientific foundation for careers in scholarship or practice and opportunities to work on unique applications of systems thinking with peers and mentors during your graduate education at Cal Poly Humboldt.

The curriculum normally requires two years for completion and includes a thesis or project, depending on the option, as part of the student's program of studies. A candidate for the degree will consult with their faculty advisor to prepare an individual program of study that must be approved by a faculty graduate committee. 

Energy Technology & Policy

The Energy Technology & Policy (ETaP) option is an interdisciplinary program for students interested in issues ranging from renewable energy engineering to climate change mitigation and from international development to energy policy in California. The program offers a rigorous curriculum for students who are interested in making a difference in these important areas of work. The ETaP option is a thesis based Masters that can be completed in approximately 2 years following a faculty recommended course curriculum.

Environmental Resources Engineering

The Environmental Resources Engineering (ERE) option of the Environmental Systems Graduate Program emphasizes the application of engineering skills to planning, design, and management problems involving environmental resources. Three general areas of research activity are available in the program, Water Quality, Water Resources and Renewable Energy Resources. The ERE option is a thesis or project based Masters that is typically completed in 2 years following a faculty recommended curriculum.

Geology

Most graduate students in the Geology option focus on geologic analysis or modeling and measurement of geomorphic processes with particular emphasis on neotectonics, uplift, and seismic hazard or hillslope erosion, sediment transport, and channel stability. However thesis projects have covered the range from structural geology, geophysics and igneous petrology to stratigraphy and paleontology.

NOTICE: Graduate students from the states listed below are now eligible to attend Humboldt while paying "in-state" fees. This greatly reduces the cost of education for students from these states. More information is available on the "Funding Opportunities" page.  Eligible states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

International Students can obtain additional information about graduate studies at Cal Poly Humboldt at the International Student Website.