地球系统科学硕士课程为对与环境有关的问题感兴趣的学生提供跨学科的培训和教育，并增强他们进行研究的能力，从而将观测和数值建模产品转换为公共政策和决策。该MS计划专门使学生不仅能够了解气候系统和环境的物理原理，而且还能获得有关如何使用数据和信息来帮助决策者的实用动手知识。MS学位课程具有常规结构。必修的核心课程为学生提供了连贯的学科基础。然后，从这个核心出发，每个学生都从附加的选修课程中进行选择，以发展与ESS相关的各个领域的集中专业知识和研究重点。一组支持（专业发展）课程提供有关提案撰写和有效沟通技巧的培训
The M.S. in Earth System Science program provides interdisciplinary training and education to students interested in issues related to the environment and strengthens their capability to conduct research leading to transition of observational and numerical modeling products to public policy and decision making. This M.S. program specifically enables students to gain not only an understanding of the physics of the climate system and the environment but also a working hands-on knowledge of how data and information is used to aid decision makers. The M.S. degree program has a conventional structure. A required set of Core Courses provides students with a coherent disciplinary base. From this core, each student then selects from additional Elective Courses to develop a concentrated expertise and research focus in various areas related to ESS. A set of Supporting (Professional Development) Courses provides training in proposal writing and effective communication skills. Finally, students conduct research and write and defend a Thesis.