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Foundations of Quantitative Environmental Science
Introductory Certificate
This 2.5-week certificate course provides accelerated, hands-on practice in foundational mathematical and data analysis concepts, equipping participants with the skills to succeed in the MS in Environmental Management program.
Quantitative skills are a critical foundation for understanding and addressing today's complex environmental challenges. This course is designed to help you build confidence in math, data analysis, and problem-solving. Whether you are interested in ecosystems, climate, water, or environmental and human health, you will gain practical tools to succeed in MSEM's environmental management curriculum.
Designed with You in Mind
Designed for students entering the environmental field from diverse academic backgrounds, the Foundations of Quantitative Environmental Science course provides hands on practice in the core skills needed to succeed in graduate-level environmental science and management coursework, as well as other science and data heavy disciplines. Build confidence in algebraic problem solving and data analysis and presentation through hands-on learning and real-world applications.
- Get an Overview of the Field
Get a broad introduction to the main sub-disciplines of environmental science and management, while building essential quantitative skills in environmental calculations and data analysis and interpretation. - Relevant Across Environmental Fields
Develop practical problem-solving skills that apply across all areas of environmental science and management- ecology, water resources, environmental health, climate and energy - and learn more about your options when choosing an MSEM concentration. - Preparation for Graduate Coursework
Learn directly from environmental science faculty using real materials and examples drawn from MSEM graduate-level coursework. - Core Math Skills of Environmental Science
Build confidence in essential quantitative concepts, such as working with chemical concentrations, population growth models, and water and energy unit conversions. - Hands-On Working with Data
Gain experience in environmental data analysis, including graphing and visualization techniques used to inform science-based decision making. - Interactive, Applied Learning
Engage in peer collaboration and hands-on activities-both during class sessions and through homework-that reinforce key concepts and support your learning in upcoming curriculum.
Who Should Enroll in This Course?
Incoming students in MS in Environmental Management students, or other MS program in the physical sciences, who:
- Have been out of school for a while and needs a refresher on algebraic operations, mathematical problem solving, descriptive statistics and data visualization with Excel
- Have completed an undergraduate curriculum in a non-STEM discipline
- Have completed previous quantitative classes with grades C or lower.
- Obtains a score lower than 85% in the incoming student exemption assessment provided by the MSEM program
- Have completed the General Chemistry requirement of the MSEM program either online or without a lab.
Incoming MSEM students who score higher than 85% in the incoming student exemption assessment are not required to complete this course.
Meet Your Instructors
Amalia Kokkinaki, PhD
Course Information
Format: This is a 5-session, 2.5 week online program, held on weeknight evenings, typically from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The instructor-led sessions are conducted live via Zoom.
Time Commitment: Each live session is 3hrs, two times a week. Expect a total of 10 hours per week, including attending live sessions, completing assignments and/or attending office hours.
Recordings: Participants will have access to recorded sessions upon request.
Schedule: 7/31, 8/5, 8/7, 8/12, 8/14 6:30-9:30PM
Prerequisites: none
Continuing Education Units: 2
Cost: $499
Why choose MSEM for entering the environmental field?
Considering a career in the environmental field, but not sure if this is the right step for you? MSEM provides:
- A pathway into the environmental field— Strengthen your transferable skills and gain new tools to successfully get started with or pivot into environmental work.
- Focused and flexible curriculum— Choose to focus on a concentration while also gaining breadth in essential topics - environmental policy, law, project management.
- Individualized applied research that leads to a career— Conduct your own individualized research project directly linked with the career opportunities you want to pursue.
- Ability to continue working while studying— With classes held on Saturdays and weeknights, you can continue working while earning a degree.
Topics Covered in This Course
- Overview of each of MSEMs thematic concentrations
- Environmental projects and project management
- Unit analysis in problem solving
- Algebraic operations with linear, exponential and logarithmic functions
- Introduction to mathematical modeling in environmental management
- Data organization, descriptive statistics
- Data presentation and interpretation
- Statistical applications in environmental management
Foundations of Quantitative Environmental Science, Certificate
Amalia Kokkinaki, Graduate Program Director
Harney Science Center, Rm. 440C