M.S. Environmental Sciences and Management
The Master of Science degree program in Environment Sciences and Management (MS ESM) offers advanced study in a range of environmental science and management disciplines.The MS ESM program is designed to provide advanced education in environment and natural resources management through coursework and directed research that builds core scientific literacy, knowledge, and applied skills through the development of an MS thesis.
The MS ESM program prepares students for a broad range of careers in science, research, and environmental management. The program is open to students from any undergraduate major. The MS ESM program requires completion of a core curriculum (research skills, sciences, management) and directed electives. Students admitted to the program begin their studies in the fall semester as a cohort.
Areas of study include
FOREST & FIRE SCIENCE
Faculty research in this area focuses on forest protection and diseases, silviculture, wildland fire, forest ecology, and forest measurement.
HYDROLOGY
Faculty research in this area focuses on watershed management, hydrological change due to land use, groundwater resources, groundwater measurement or contamination.
EARTH AND SOIL SCIENCE
Faculty research in this area focuses on terrestrial responses to global environmental change factors, soil morphology, pedology, fertility, ecology, soil physics and chemistry.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & MANAGEMENT
Faculty research in this area focuses on environmental governance, regulations, policies and their socio-economic responses to these practices.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Faculty research in this area focuses on life-cycle assessment, sustainability analysis, promoting sustainable agriculture, and land and urban principles of sustainability.
Admissions
Admission requirements for this program require that students have at least a 3.0 GPA in the final 90 quarter units of their undergraduate degree and completion of the following undergraduate coursework:
Sciences— three quarters or two semesters of any combination of chemistry, biology, ecology, physics, earth science, or atmospheric science
Statistics—one quarter or one semester
Calculus—one quarter or one semester
An applicant who lacks prerequisite coursework may be admitted as a conditionally classified student and must make up any deficiencies (12 unit limit) before advancement to classified graduate standing.
The GRE exam is optional. Applicants must have at least 3 letters of reference that can attest to the academic capabilities of the applicant. All applicants who do not speak and write English as their primary language are required to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken within the last 2 years with a minimum score of 550 (paper version), 213 (computerized version), or 80 (internet based).
The deadline for Fall 2027 applications is March 1, 2027. Only complete applications will be reviewed (all letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and official transcripts submitted).
Note: please do not apply for Spring semester admission unless you were specifically told to do so by a faculty member and the graduate coordinator. Our program admits students for the Fall term.
Applying
Application and supporting materials are submitted through Cal State Apply. Specific instructions and the link to Cal State Apply can be found on the Cal Poly Graduate Education website. There are additional requirements for foreign students. Questions concerning applications from foreign students should be directed to the Cal Poly Admissions Office.
The following requirements are specific to our program:
- 3.0 GPA in final 90 quarter units
- Transcripts from degree granting institution (other transcripts optional): request official transcripts through CSU Apply
- Three letters of reference: applicants will request 3 reference letters in CSU Apply from people who can speak to both your professional and academic abilities. References not sent through CSU Apply will not be accepted.
- Personal Statement (see step 2)
Step 1 - Contact potential faculty advisors (we will continue to update with new Faculty through fall 2026, so please check back!)
Admission to the program is contingent on us connecting the applicant with a faculty advisor. You are required to contact faculty with expertise that interests you to discuss potential projects. Faculty who are recruiting MS students for Fall 2
Dr. Ryoko Araki: I will be recruiting a MS student beginning in Fall 2027 contingent on funding with a focus in large-sample hydrology, catchment hydrology, and ecohydrology. The projects include: rain-on-snow runoff generation in the western U.S.; continental-scale analysis of flood onsets; soil moisture-based detection of plant water-stress. Please reach out to me via email (raraki@calpoly.edu) with your CV and a short statement about your fit.
Dr. Nicholas Williams: I will recruit up to two MS students who aim to learn about and engage in environmental social science research. My current areas of interest include agrobiodiversity conservation (focusing on wheat) and plastic waste (mis)management, but I am open to mentoring students who aim to draw on a political ecology perspective to understand other human-environmental issues. Prospective students should reach out to me (nwilli37@calpoly.edu) with a short summary of your research interests, reason for your interest in pursuing an MS, and a copy of your resume or CV.
Dr. Andrew Johnson: I am recruiting an MS student to start in the Fall of 2027. Ideally, the student will be interested in wildland firefighter safety, working outdoors, and validating geospatial products. The position will include leading a small group of undergraduates to collect forest structure data to validate new overhead hazard products produced by the US Forest Service Wildfire Risk Management Science Team. Please reach out to me (ajohn386@calpoly.edu) with an introduction, why you are interested in the position, and a copy of your resume or CV.
Dr. Seeta Sistla: I will recruit up to two MS students who are interested in working on the integration of solar energy development with agriculture and its ecological consequences or plastic pollution as a novel environmental threat to terrestrial systems. Funding for this research is pending. Prospective students should reach out to me (ssistla@calpoly.edu) with a short summary of your research interests, reason for your interest in pursuing an MS, and a copy of your CV.
Dr. Richard Cobb: I will be recruiting two MS students contingent on funding. The projects available are: Forest resiliency dependence on climate change, tree mortality, and wildfire interactions; and Development of biological control of conifer forest root disease. Please reach out to me (rccobb@calpoly.edu) with your CV and summary of your interest.
Step 2 - Prepare personal statement
The personal statement tells the review committee about your education and professional background, professional and personal goals, intention of study emphasis, and potential faculty advisors.
Address all of the following prompts in your personal statement in 1,000 words or less:
- Describe your interest in pursuing a Master of Science in our Environment Sciences and Management Program, including which area of study you would focus on.
- How does your academic and professional background prepare you to undertake this MS program? What academic and/or professional goals do you believe this MS program will help you to accomplish?
- Based on your conversations with faculty advisors in Step 2, identify at least one potential faculty advisor and describe how your interests align with their project(s) and/or expertise.
Step 3 - Submit application materials
All application products are compiled in CSU Apply, see instructions here (https://admissions.calpoly.edu/applicants/graduate/process.html).
Current Students
Meet the Current Environmental Sciences and Management Graduate Students
Graduate Studies Information at Cal Poly
Please visit the University's Graduate web page for more information including financial opportunities.
MS ESM coordinator
Dr. Seeta Sistla
Open: M - F 8am - 5pm