Master's in Environmental Resource Science

The new interdisciplinary Master of Science in Environmental Resource Science at UL Lafayette focuses on two of our world’s most critical resources: water and soil. Our aim is to educate and prepare you for a career in which you investigate, characterize and manage those water and soil resources responsibly and effectively.

In our Environmental Resource Science graduate program, we emphasize scholarly research and how to apply that research in industry. Our research areas include water quality and quantity, hydrogeology, wetland and coastal systems, climate changeimpact and adaption, isotope geochemistry, soil resources and remediation, and more. Learn more about our environmental science research.

Our location in Lafayette, LA, helps make the School of Geosciences the ideal place to earn your graduate degree in environmental science. We have a strong agricultural industry, close ties to the oil and gas industry, and we are home to 40 percent of the country’s freshwater wetlands—meaning you will have an abundance of research, internship, and career opportunities in your own backyard.

Apply Now!

Apply now to the MS in Environmental Resource Science program!

Apply for admission to the Graduate School >

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, you must also meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related science, technology or engineering field (such as geology, environmental science, computer science. agricolture, biology, chemistry, physics or civil engineering)

Courses & Curriculum

To graduate with your Master of Science in Environmental Resource Science, you must complete the 30-hour curriculum, which includes the opportunity to pursue a thesis or non-thesis track.

The MS in Environmental Resource Science curriculum incorporates courses in environmental science, geology, biology, civil engineering, and chemistry. To complete your curriculum, you can choose from courses in water resources, soil resources, environmental methods and biophysical relationships.

Learn more about the curriculum and available courses >

Internship & Research Opportunities

The School of Geosciences has partnered with dozens of businesses and organizations in the region to provide internships for student in the master’s in Environmental Resource Science program. The School of Geosciences also manages the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center and Cade Farm, which function as off-campus research and educational facilities. At the Cade Farm, students have access to 600 acres of pasture lands, agricultural lands, wetland habitats, a coastal wetland research laboratory, and a seed bank for the state of Louisiana.

Career Opportunities for Environmental Resource Science Graduates

Environmental science is one of the fastest growing disciplines in the country, projected to grow by 11 percent from 2014 to 2024 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). As a graduate with your master’s in Environmental Resource Science, you’ll be highly skilled, technically trained, and extremely employable in both Louisiana and across the country.

Learn more about the career opportunities for our master’s in Environmental Resource Science graduates >

Contact the Graduate Coordinator

For more information about the Master of Science in Environmental Resource Science program, contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Durga D. Poudel, at durga.poudel@louisiana.edu.