Program Director: Kim Kastens – kastens@ldeo.columbia.edu - (845) 365-8836
Program Director: Marguerite Holloway – myh7@columbia.edu - (212) 854-9149
Admission Deadline: Graduate School of Journalism: December 15. Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: first working day in January.
Program website: http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/edu/eesj/
Columbia University offers a dual master's degree program in Earth & Environmental Science Journalism. The program is co-sponsored by the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences).
The goal of this program is to produce graduates with a rare blend of scientific knowledge and journalistic skills. Our graduates should be able to inform the public about discoveries, insights and ideas concerning the Earth and environment, in a manner that is simultaneously interesting and accurate. Our graduates should approach controversies about the Earth and environment with a broad and deep knowledge base, plus a well-honed set of investigative skills.
The Earth and Environmental Science Journalism program comprises two semesters of coursework in science, a science research project, and two semesters of coursework in journalism. The science and journalism components of the program are linked through a "Case Studies in Earth and Environmental Science Journalism" seminar, and through the preparation of a master's project on an Earth-related issue. Graduates receive an M.A. from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences) and an M.S. from the Graduate School of Journalism.
Admission Requirements
Earth & Environmental Science Journalism is a dual degree program, which means that participation in the program is contingent on admissions to both schools: The Graduate School of Journalism and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences). Requirements for admission to the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences:
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An undergraduate major in science or engineering. Applicants with other undergraduate majors may be considered in exceptional cases.
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One year of college- level study with grade of B or better in four out of five of the following: chemistry, mathematics, physics, geosciences, biological sciences. “Mathematics” includes statistics; “geosciences” includes ocean, atmosphere and solid Earth sciences, plus physical geography.
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Applicants must submit scores on the GRE General Test.
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Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an acceptable TOEFL score (or its equivalent).
Criteria for admission to the Graduate School of Journalism:
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Commitment to the profession of science journalism and a keen interest in the substance of journalism. This is often evidenced by involvement with campus publications or broadcasting stations and summer internships or professional experience.
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Demonstrated writing proficiency.
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Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; multidisciplinary coursework reflecting openness, curiosity, and breadth of view.
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Readiness for graduate school.
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Professional promise. The school is interested not only in training the student for the first job or the next job in the field; its purpose is to educate for significant careers.
Programs Requirements
Year 1: A minimum of 20 credits of Earth and Environmental Sciences; most E&ESJ students graduate with more. Course offerings vary from year to year. "Case Studies in Earth & Environmental Science Journalism" is required of all first year students in the E&ESJ degree program. In addition, first year students take Environmental Reporting or Science Narratives at the Journalism School during the fall. Earth Science Colloquium is required of all first year graduate students in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
First Semester (Fall)
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Second Semester (Spring)
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EESC G6001: Earth Science Colloquium (1 credit)
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EESC G6001: Earth Science Colloquium (1 credit)
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EESC G6005: Case Studies in Earth & Environmental Science Journalism (3 credits)
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EESC G6005: Case Studies in Earth & Environmental Science Journalism (3 credits)
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J6010x: Specialized Reporting/ Writing Seminar. Section 16: Environmental Reporting (3 credits)
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EESC G6003: Master’s Research (4 credits)
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3 science courses
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2 science courses
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Possible Science Courses for either Semester
Any course at the 4000 level or higher in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences (EESC courses) may be used to fulfill the science coursework requirement. Some EESC courses are given in alternate years only. With permission of the E&ESJ program director, courses from other schools or departments may be counted towards the science coursework component of the E&ESJ degree. Appropriate science courses include, but are not limited to:
EESC W4050 Remote Sensing; 3 credits
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ENV BC 3021: Forests and environmental changes; 3 credits
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EESC W4550: Plant ecophysiology; 3 credits
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ENV BC 3025: Hydrology; 3 credits
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EESC W4835: Wetlands and climate change; 3 credits
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EAEE E4001: Industrial ecology of Earth resources; 3 credits
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EESC W4885: The chemistry of continental waters; 3 credits
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EESC W4223 Sedimentary Geology; 4 credits
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EESC W4920: Paleoceanography; 3 credits
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EESC W4001: Advanced general geology; 4 credits
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EESC W4923: Biological oceanography; 3 credits
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EEEB G6110: Evolution I; 3 credits
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EESC W4925: Intro to physical oceanography; 3 credits
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EESC W4008: Introduction to atmospheric science; 3 credits
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EESC W4926: Intro to chemical oceanography; 3 credits
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EESC W4030: Climate change; 3 credits
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EESC W4947: Plate Tectonics; 3 credits
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EESC G6221: Sedimentary basins; 3 credits
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EHSC P6300 Environmental Health Sciences; 3 credits
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EESC G6810: The carbon cycle; 3 credits
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EHSC P8304 Public health impact of climate change; 3 credits
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EEEB G4130 Restoration and Urban Ecology; 4 credits
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EHSC P9320 Water and infectious disease; 3 credits
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EEEB G4127 Disease Ecology; 4 credits
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EESC/ENVB 4101: Tropical field ecology; 3 credits
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EEEB W4789: Biogeography; 3 credits
| Summer: During the summer between the first and second years of study, the student will complete a scientific research project under the guidance of a scientist from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, or another unit of the Earth Institute. Students must prepare a ten-page master's paper based on their research project. Students present and defend their projects orally to their advisory committee scientists in September of their third semester.
Year 2: Thirty credits of graduate work in journalism.
Fall Semester:
Note (1): Fall semester coursework at the Journalism School begins in mid-August.
Note (2): Fall semester requirements differ slightly depending on media concentration.
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Reporting and Writing I, or RW1: 6 or 8 points
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Journalism Essentials: 4 points
a. Law: 1 point
b. Ethics: 1 point
c. History of Journalism: 1 point
d. Business of Journalism: 1 point
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Master’s Project: 3 points
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A 5-week skills class: 1 point each
Spring Semester:
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Advanced Reporting & Writing Seminar: Science Reporting & Writing (6 points)
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Media Workshop (6 points)
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Journalism Elective (3 points)
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2nd half of the Master's Project (3 points)
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