EES中基于论文的硕士课程旨在为学生提供开展或评估研究所需的背景。可能想继续攻读博士学位的学生 应该追求论文选择。研究生学位研究和教学助学金可能会提供给接受论文选择的学生。对于生态与环境科学的硕士学位（论文选修），学生必须修满至少30个学分。学习计划必须包括至少6个学分的论文研究，以及至少18个课程的学分（500个或以上的12个学分），由学生及其研究生顾问委员会确定。研究生协调员将审查其严谨，跨学科以及生态和环境科学重点课程。
The thesis-based masters program in EES is designed to provide students with the background necessary to conduct or to evaluate research. Students who might want to continue for a Ph.D. should pursue the thesis option. Graduate research and teaching assistantships may be available to students accepted for the thesis option. For the M.S. degree (thesis option) in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, the student must complete at least 30 credits. The program of study must include a minimum of 6 credits thesis research, and a minimum of 18 course credits (12 credits 500 level or above), as determined by the student and her/his graduate advisory committee. The Graduate Coordinator will review the coursework for its rigor, interdisciplinarity, and ecology and environmental sciences focus. Students are generally expected to form a graduate advisory committee, in consultation with their advisor, by the end of the first semester of study and to complete the M.S. degree program within two years of full-time study. The student's graduate advisory committee will be composed of a minimum of three faculty from at least two different home departments. It is recommended that each full-time student submit a fully signed program of study, which lists their coursework, to the EES Graduate Coordinator by the end of the first semester. Following the graduation checklist provided by the Graduate School, the student will defend their thesis after the course work is completed and the thesis is approved by the advisor to be shared with the graduate advisory committee. This defense will consist of a public seminar and open question session followed by a separate session of questioning by the student's graduate advisory committee. Upon successful completion of the thesis defense and program course of study, the student will be awarded the M.S. degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences.