Grad Profiles - University of New Haven Environmental Science

Overview
Founded in 1920, the University of New Haven is accredited as a general purpose institution by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Most graduate classes are held in early evening to accommodate both part-time and full-time students. An ELS Center that provides English language preparation for international students is located on the campus.

Most students are from Connecticut, but a significant number of them come from other states and many other countries. The graduate student body of about 1,900 ranges from recent college graduates to professionals with several years experience in their fields. More than 50 percent of the graduate students are women. Approximately 12 percent receive institutional financial support, although many more qualify for federal loans and other forms of aid. About 14 percent are international students, and about 12 percent are members of minority groups.

The Community
The University of New Haven maintains a close relationship with the surrounding community. Although the campus is located in West Haven, it is less than 3 miles from downtown New Haven; students can easily take advantage of the cultural offerings in the city. New Haven has rail, bus, and air service and its location at the junction of two major interstate highways places the school within easy driving distance of New York, Boston, and Providence.

Programs of study and degree requirements
The goal of the graduate program in environmental science at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is to prepare students for careers in environmental science as well as for other areas that require knowledge of environmental principles. It is intended to meet the needs of those who wish to enter this dynamic and expanding field, those who are active environmental scientists and managers, and students who plan to pursue graduate training beyond the master's level. An interdisciplinary program comprised of courses in ecology, geology, chemistry, and legislation provides the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to meet the increasing demand for professionals with an environmental background. Students can pursue a general program or concentrate in one of four specialty areas: environmental ecology, environmental geoscience, environmental health and management, or geographical information systems and applications (GIS). A graduate certificate in GIS is also offered. Courses in each concentration provide opportunities for in-depth study of the various subdisciplines of environmental science. Much of the instruction in the master's program is hands-on and project-based, focusing on real-world problems. Field and laboratory work provide practical experience, while ongoing faculty projects provide opportunities for research on various environmental problems and issues. Students may select related courses in other departments including Civil and Environmental Engineering (e.g. water and waste treatment, solid waste management), Chemistry (e.g. environmental chemical analysis, air pollution chemistry), and Occupational Health and Safety (e.g. industrial hygiene, product safety and liability, control of occupational health hazards). The faculty members in these departments frequently supervise research projects and theses. Full-time students generally finish the program in about two years; part-time students in three to five years. Each plan of study requires a research project or a thesis. The varied backgrounds of faculty members and students provide a stimulating environment for learning and exchanging professional insights and experiences.

Facilities & Resources
A number of facilities and specialized equipment for research are available to students. These include a new Computer and Geographic Information System Laboratory, with various types of GIS and analytical/modeling software and peripherals (large format digitizers and plotters); laboratories for ecological and biogeochemical analyses; differential global positioning system equipment; and a 17-foot Boston Whaler with various types of sampling gear and hydrogeological sampling equipment. The department maintains a 6-acre salt marsh in Branford, Connecticut for long-term research and has affiliations with the Bahamian Field Station on San Salvador Island and the Connecticut Coastal Audubon Center, which provide additional opportunities and facilities for research.

Expenses and Aid
Tuition for master's degree students for the 2004-–05 academic year is $545 per graduate credit or $1535 for most graduate courses. Engineering courses are subject to a $75 per credit tuition differential. Graduate Student Council fees are $10 per term and laboratory fees vary depending on course content, ranging up to $100. All charges and fees are subject to change.

Financial Aid: Financial aid is available for graduate students through a wide variety of sources, including assistantships, fellowships, and loans. The University participates in the Federal Stafford Loan programs.

Housing/Living Expenses: Campus housing for graduate students is extremely limited. However, the Resident Services Office maintains a partial listing of apartments in the local area at a variety of costs.

How to Apply
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. All applicants must submit the following: a formal application; nonrefundable $50 application fee; two letters of recommendation; final official transcripts, in English, of all previous college work; a TOEFL score (for students whose native language is not English); and certified financial support forms (for all international students). Applicants to the Environmental Science program are encouraged to submit GRE scores. Late applicants may register as nonmatriculated students. All correspondence and requests for materials should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Office. Program descriptions and procedures information are available in the Graduate Catalog and on the University of New Haven's Internet site at the World Wide Web address listed below.

Who to Contact

Dr. Pamela Sommers
Director of Graduate Admissions
University of New Haven
300 Orange Avenue
West Haven, Connecticut 06516
Telephone: 203-932-7133
800-DIAL-UNH, ext. 7133
E-mail: gradinfo@charger.newhaven.edu
http://www.newhaven.edu

Dr. Roman N. Zajac
Graduate Coordinator
Environmental Science
Telephone: 203-932-7114
800-DIAL-UNH, ext. 7114 (toll-free)
Fax: 203-931-6097
E-mail: zajacrn@charger.newhaven.edu
http://qrwgis.newhaven.edu

THE FACULTY AND THEIR RESEARCH

Laurence R. Davis, Professor, Earth and Environmental Science; Ph.D., Rochester. Regional karst hydrology in the Bahamas, the applications of geology to land-use planning and resource management, assessment and remediation of groundwater pollution, watershed and groundwater management and protection, natural hazards.
David Osgood, Assistant Professor, Environmental Science; Ph.D., Virginia. Wetlands ecology, salt marsh biogeochemistry, ecology of invasive species, wetlands restoration.
Henry E. Voegeli, Professor, Biology and Environmental Science; Ph.D., Rhode Island. Environmental microbiology, bioremediation, regulation of subsurface contamination.
Roman N. Zajac, Associate Professor, Biology and Environmental Science; Ph.D., Connecticut. Coastal ecology, benthic landscape dynamics, application of GIS to environmental problem solving, response of sea floor communities to human and natural disturbances, sea floor mapping and application to benthic ecology.

Affiliated Faculty