Select courses in each core competency area in consultation with an advisor: 

• Physics Core – 9 credit hours
• Environmental Science Core – 9 credit hours
• Economics, Management, and Policy Core Competencies – 6 credit hours
• Tool Skills Courses – 3-6 credit hours
• Capstone Course – 3 credit hours

Dual Physics – Environmental Science Concentration – 21 credit hours*

*The dual concentration must include at least six credit hours from Physics and at least six credit hours from O’Neill. Other courses from Physics, O’Neill (including research courses E625 for O’Neill or P802 for Physics), or other departments may be used in the concentration with approval of both advisors.

Each candidate for the MSES-MS Physics dual degree program must obtain professionally relevant experience through one of the following options: 

1. Approved internship SPEA-E 589 (0-3 credit hours): Work with the O’Neill Career Hub and the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to arrange for a suitable internship. Internships vary greatly according to the expectations and requirements of the sponsor. You will be expected to give careful attention in the selection of an internship suitable to your professional goals. Typically, students do not use credit hours for the internship, and as a result, have no fees for the experience. However, students who want the additional credit hours can receive up to three credit hours for an internship involving the appropriate amount of work; these students will owe fees to the relevant school for the three credit hours.
2. Approved research (3 credit hours): MS research PHYS-P 802 or MSES research internship SPEA-E 589
3. Professional experience (3 credit hours): If you have had significant environmental management, technical, or administrative work experience in the past, you may receive a three-credit hour reduction and a waiver of the experiential requirement. You must apply to receive professional experience credit and your experience must meet O’Neill guidelines. Students receiving prior professional experience credit should carefully plan the balance of their program with their faculty advisors.