Rochester Institute Of Technology
1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, NY 14623, United States

The Rochester Institute of Technology is a private research university in Rochester, New York. It was founded in 1829. It is one of only two institutes of technology in New York state, the other being the New York Institute of Technology.

Master of Science in Environmental Science

Habitat loss, global climate change, water and air pollution, ozone depletion, species invasions, loss of biodiversity, and the accumulation of toxic wastes are among the many environmental dilemmas our society faces each day. These complex problems pit environmental limits against economic development, diverse cultures, ethics, values, and social stability, and therefore require an understanding of science, policy, society, history, and economics in order to address problems realistically and effectively. Environmental scientists must use integrated and holistic approaches to understand these issues in order to identify sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.

RIT’s Environmental Science Master’s Degree

RIT’s environmental science master’s degree provides you with a deep understanding of the science behind our environmental problems, the complex set of circumstances that impact environmental issues, and how environmental decisions and policies must attempt to find a balance between environmental conservation, human well-being, and economic development. You will amplify your hands-on classroom work with an in-depth thesis or project that provides you with an opportunity to work on real-world environmental problems under the guidance of skilled environmental scientists.

The practice of environmental science demands that you become a well-rounded specialists. To accomplish this, you will complete a concentration in one of the following areas:

  • Chemistry
  • Ecology and field biology
  • Economics
  • Environmental microbiology/molecular biology
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Organismal biology and evolution
  • Public policy
  • Remote sensing
  • Statistics

You also may develop a self-designed concentration in an area of personal interest, subject to approval from an environmental science review committee.

Students in the environmental science master's degree are working on a variety of projects:

  • Conducting research in aquatic ecology studying the effects of pollution (microplastics, pharmaceuticals) and exploring remediation possibilities
  • Exploring methane production in wetlands as part of global warming issues and climate change
  • Looking at various methods to treat industrial wastewater, such as food processing wastewater streams from eggs, yogurt, and cheese, to reduce potential pollution issues in the environment
  • Examining microbial degradation of agricultural mulches and new food packaging
  • Mapping carbon dioxide emissions from trucks carrying fracking water from Pennsylvania to NY Wastewater Treatment Plants

Our environmental science master's degree incorporates intensive fieldwork, policy implications, sustainable practices, and remote sensing into the curriculum. Students benefit from collaboration with experts from RIT’s College of Science, Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability.

Careers in Environmental Science

Graduates of RIT's environmental science master's program are environmental consultants or field scientists for a range of companies such as Haley and Aldrich and La Bella Associates. Several of our graduates work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Still others pursue doctoral programs in environmental science. Students can also focus on policy issues if they are interested in becoming a spokesperson for the effects of climate change and pollution on the environment. Recent environmental science MS graduates have landed jobs at United Nations University, University of Rochester Medical Center, Microvi Biotechnologies Inc., The Nature Conservancy, General Dynamics, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Haley and Aldrich, and LaBella Associates.

https://www.rit.edu/study/environmental-science-ms 

  • The RIT online graduate application includes sections that will ask you to provide us with personal/biographical information, contact information, citizenship details, your past or current college/university and major/degree details, and test score data (if required by your degree), in addition to other profile data. If letter(s) of recommendation are required for your degree, you will be able to enter the names and contact information for each recommender. You will also be able to upload any supporting materials to your application. You may upload supporting documents while completing your online application or after you have submitted your application in your admissions portal. RIT prefers all supporting documents be submitted electronically.
  • 1st Choice Program
  • While completing your application, you will need to select the 1st choice program (i.e. major, degree) you want to apply to.
  • 2nd and 3rd Choice Program
  • At RIT, you can submit one application and indicate up to 3 program choices. We encourage you to indicate a 2nd and 3rd choice program. If you are not accepted to your 1st choice program, we will automatically facilitate a review for your other choice(s). We will contact you if additional materials are required for 2nd and 3rd choice programs. 
  • Upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your online application. Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should include details about your education, employment, and internship history. Pertinent research experience should be included as well.
  • One or more letters of recommendation are required for admission to all RIT graduate programs except those offered by the College of Business. Recommendations should come from members of the academic community and/or workplace professionals who know your qualifications for graduate study.
  • Submit Letter(s) of Recommendation
  • Within the online application, you are able to enter information for your recommenders and submit an email request for letters. Recommendation letters should be submitted directly to RIT from the referee/person writing the letter for you. 
  • The preferred method for the submission of recommendation letters is to use the functionality within the online application. If your recommenders are unable to submit their letters using the above method, then letters may be emailed directly by recommenders to gradinfo@rit.edu or sent by postal mail to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services.

Only some degrees require a GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination).

Find a degree's test requirements

Submit Test Results

You must arrange for the testing agency to send your test results directly to RIT’s Office of Graduate Enrollment Services. Uploaded copies of your test score reports are not considered official and will not fulfill the application checklist requirement.

RIT's code for ETS reporting is 2760. You may choose any department code. All test scores will be sent to Graduate Enrollment Services in a test score file within 10-14 days regardless of the department code selected.

 Ensure that the email address used for your application matches the email used with your testing agency.

Troubleshooting
Q: I sent my test scores. Why has my application checklist not been updated?
A: If the email address or name used on your application is different than the email address or name on your score report, your test score checklist may not update to “received.” Please email gradinfo@rit.edu with this concern and note the name difference.

RIT requires transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended, including transcript grading keys. 
 International students should provide transcripts (or mark sheets) and degree certificates from all post-secondary institutions.

To submit your transcript(s) for application review:

  1. Upload copies or official transcript(s) with the submission of your online application, or
  2. Upload your transcript(s) through your admissions portal after you have submitted your application

Upon enrollment at RIT, you will need to contact your prior college or university and request that your official, final records be sent directly to RIT. Documents you upload are not considered official.

Start Your Application

All applicants to RIT’s graduate programs must hold—or currently be completing—a four-year baccalaureate degree, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, granted by an accredited college or university.

If you have not yet completed your undergraduate coursework, your admission will be contingent upon submission of your final transcript showing the degree granted and the date of the degree.

3-Year Degrees from International Universities
RIT will review applicants with 3-year degrees from international universities. Students with 3-year degrees from India must meet all of the following conditions:

  • The college or university is  WHED recognized, and
  • The college or university is  NAAC accredited with an "A" grade, and
  • You have passed in the 1st Class (or equivalent).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may request a WES evaluation or you would need to complete (or be in the process of) postgraduate study.

If your 3-year undergraduate degree is currently in progress, you may be admitted contingent upon obtaining your degree in the 1st class or equivalent.

Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from Nigeria or Ghana
RIT considers Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from Nigeria or Ghana to be comparable to US bachelor’s degrees under the following conditions: the HND is a 2-year program that followed a 2-year National Diploma (ND) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) program, for a total of at least 4 years of post-secondary study.

We accept TOEFL iBT® and TOEFL iBT® Home Edition, IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic Online, and PTE Academic scores. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score, IELTS One Skill Retake, or Duolingo as proof of English proficiency. View the English Language Test Scores accordion within the Application Materials section of the application instructions for information about waiver eligibility and the RIT English Exam option.

Minimum Overall English Scores and Sub-Scores

  1. The numbers listed in the English Language Scores column are the overall minimum scores required for that program.
  2. In addition to the scores listed, each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses. For example, a minimum overall score of 88, will require sub-scores of 22 for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.
  • Full-time: Fall - February 15 priority deadline,
  •  rolling thereafter; 
  • Spring - rolling
  • Priority deadlines - Applications that are complete and received by the priority deadline listed for that degree are given priority consideration for admission and financial aid (if applicable). Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
  • Rolling - There is no specific deadline for applications; applications will be accepted and reviewed throughout the year.

We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. If a deadline has passed, do not let that deter you. We still welcome your application.

Deadlines may vary for each program check the below link to check the deadlines:

https://www.rit.edu/admissions/graduate-admission-deadlines-and-requirements 

Please send student details, documents and online application login credentials to admissions@indoglobalstudies.org without submitting the application.

IGS team will submit the application through channel partner.