M.Sc. in Environmental Science

The M. Sc. in Environmental Science Program is a rigorous yet flexible (full‐time & part‐time) program, started in Fall 2011. It addresses the need for a workforce that can solve a broad range of burgeoning environmental issues. It is considered to be a very promising opportunity for reaching Excellence in Environmental Science in a University giving high priority to scientific research.

This M. Sc. program is taught by world class scientists/experts in the field. It prepares students for research in environmental science, for doctoral study, and for technical positions in universities, industry or governmental agencies.

This program is based on an interdisciplinary approach. Students learn to develop analytical tools and models, as well as technologies, socio-political arrangements to prevent and control environmental and sustainability issues. The curriculum emphasizes advanced principles of environmental science in areas such as conservation, pollution, marine ecology, global change, environmental law and economics, and sustainable development. Being multidisciplinary in nature, this program will serve a wide variety of post‐graduate students who may have diverse backgrounds and goals.

Mission

The M. Sc. Environmental Science Program is dedicated to the graduation of professionals and researchers who are committed to the development of a sustainable environment for Qatar.  The program aims to provide a prominent, interdisciplinary graduate program in environmental science that is the first choice of students, and one that provides graduates with the acumen and knowledge of the environment that empowers them to be responsible and active citizens, bright academic professionals or scientists and with a deep social conscience.

Vision

To be a leader in Environmental Science, developing professionals and leaders for regional, national and global competitiveness.

Objectives

This M.Sc. program addresses the need for a workforce that can solve a broad range of burgeoning environmental issues. It prepares students for research in environmental science, for doctoral study, and for technical positions in universities, industry or governmental agencies. 

We would like to attain the following objectives: 

1. Develop the students’ sense of community, effective engagement with others, responsibility, integrity and ethics
2. Develop the students’ foundation skills and the understanding necessary to comprehend, evaluate and solve a plethora of environmental problems and issues.
3. Explain the utility and dimension of the technologies available to the graduate students in their studies about the environment. 
4. Explain how to communicate effectively and decisively as professionals, in diverse settings and communities, on an eclectic range of environmental issues.

The Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences - Institution of Environmental Sciences CHES-IES Accredited Graduate program of Master of science in Environmental sciences.

More information available at this page: Graduate Admissions

Being multidisciplinary in nature, this program will serve a wide variety of post-graduate students who may have diverse backgrounds and goals. 
All applicants to the Master in Environmental Science program who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered for admission to Qatar University:

• Completed a Bachelor degree in science, engineering, or related field with minimum cumulative GPA of 2.80 out of 4.00 or equivalent from a university or college accredited by an international accrediting association or by the Ministry of Higher Education or comparable in that country. Students with a GPA below 2.80 out of 4.00 can apply for the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Sciences.
   
• Students are expected to be proficient in English. Thus, applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency as part of the admission process by satisfying either of the following:
  (*) Earned a previous degree from an institution of higher education in a Program where English was the language of instruction.
  
  OR
  
  (**) Achieved a minimum score of 520 on the paper-based TOEFL or equivalent test taken within 2 years of the start of the intended semester of admission.
   
• A satisfactory performance in the personal interview with the Admission committee.

 
All applicants to the Master in Environmental Science program are required to submit the following documents to the Admissions Department:

1. Admissions Application and Signature Page
2. Final, official and certified university transcripts
3. Students are expected to be proficient in English. Thus, applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency as part of the admission process by satisfying either of the following:
   (*) Earned a previous degree from an institution of higher education in a Program where English was the language of instruction.
   
   OR
   
   (**) Achieved a minimum score of 520 on the paper-based TOEFL or equivalent test taken within 2 years of the start of the intended semester of admission
4. Two confidential recommendation lettersfrom undergraduate professors or employers (Recommendation Letters should be sent by the professor to the following address: headdepbiological@qu.edu.qa
5. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
6. Health Certificate
7. Photocopy of the applicant’s Qatar ID card
8. (Non-Qatari applicants must provide a copy of their passport)
9. Two recent passport sized photographs
10. Application Fees: QR 350

Admission to the Master of Science in Biological Sciences program takes place in the fall semester only.

For further details and clarification in this regard, kindly contact:

Dr. Mohammed Abu Dieyeh 
Graduate Program Coordinator 
Office: +974 44036571 
Email: dandelion@qu.edu.qa

Brochure & Curriculum

Students must select either:

• Thesis option [Plan A]
• Project option [Plan B]

Plan A emphasizes integrated and applied research. Plan B focuses on the acquisition of well-defined professional skills.
A minimum of 34 credit hours are required to complete the Master of Science in Environmental Science, including the following:

• A minimum of 13 credit hours of core courses.
• Each plan has its own courses.
• Project Option: A minimum of 6 credit hours of core courses and 15 of elective courses.
• Thesis Option: A minimum of 9 credit hours of core courses and 12 of elective courses.

The anticipated completion time of the course of study for the M.Sc., assuming no academic probation(s), is four full semesters. However, since stakeholders have already expressed interest to have their staff enter the program, a provision is made for part-time graduate students. A regular part-time student is permitted to have a semester course load of between 3 to 9 credit hours.  
The maximum period of study permitted for the M.Sc. degree will be 36 months from the date of registration in the case of full-time registration, and 60 months from the date of registration in the case of part-time registration.

Core Requirements (13 credit hours)

• BIOL 504 Environmental Chemistry
• BIOL 506 Microbiological Processes in Environmental Systems 
• BIOL 507 Regulation, the Environment and Qatar Public Policy
• BIOL 501 Earth Systems
• BIOL 505 Graduate Seminar in Environmental Science

Additional Required Courses- Project Option (6 credit hours)

• BIOL 502 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Databases
• BIOL 510 Internship/Technical Report

Additional Required Courses- Thesis Option (9 credit hours)

• BIOL 503 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis
• BIOL 530 Graduate Research and Thesis

Supporting Electives (12-15 credit hours)

• BIOL 511 Environmental Health and Safety
• BIOL 513 Epidemiology
• BIOL 515 Air Pollution
• BIOL 517 Environmental Biosafety and Biosecurity
• BIOL 512 Environmental Bioethics
• BIOL 514 International Environmental Law
• BIOL 518 Water and Human Development
• BIOL 520 Environmental Toxicology and Pollution
• BIOL 521 Marine Environment and Human Development
• BIOL 522 Renewable Energy Resources and Global Change
• BIOL 523 Biological Conservation and Biodiversity in Qatar
• BIOL 524 Environmental Genomics and Bio-Engineering
• BIOL 525 Solid Waste Management
• BIOL 502 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Databases (Elective For Thesis Option)
• BIOL 503 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis (Elective For Project Option)
   

For more information about MSc. in Environmental Science program please contact us:

Program Coordinator
Dr. Haissam Abou Saleh
Office Tel: (+974) 4403-7577
Email: hasaleh@qu.edu.qa 
Office Location: C01-E212, Science Building Women's Campus.

Mailing Address
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
University of Qatar
P.O. Box 2713, Doha.