Courses

Core Courses

Courses in Areas of Specialization

M.Sc. in Environmental Science

As a holistic and integrative program, the Master of Science in Environmental Science incorporates contemporary thinking on the relationship between nature and human society and on how the relationship is influenced by such factors as local, national and global policies and structures, mode of production and others. This is an inter-College program designed to produce environmental researchers, teachers and managers.

Admission Requirements

An applicant with a bachelors degree in the biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, economics, sociology and other social sciences may be admitted to the MS EnvSci Program.

The Graduate School’s requirements for admission in UPLB apply but the School sets the grade requirements. Admission is based on the applicant’s indicated competence and potential to complete the program. A completed application form, a copy of official transcript of undergraduate (and graduate) works, two letters of recommendation, and a certificate of proficiency in English for international students are the minimum admission requirements.

UP graduates with a GWA of 2.5 or better and non-UP graduate with 2.25 or better will be qualified for regular admission. Those with GWA lower than the above will be screened based on their work experience, number of publication and evaluation of submitted essay on selected topic.

Application must be received by the UPLB Graduate School or the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) not later than January 30 for the first semester applicant and September 30 for the second semester applicant.

Course Requirements

• Core Courses (13 units)
  ENS 201 Ecosystems Structure and Dynamics (3)
  ENS 211 Systems Analysis and Quantitative Methods in Natural Resources Management (3)
  ENS 275 Contemporary Issues in Environment and Development (3)
  ENS 296 Environmental Impact Assessment: Perspectives from the Natural and Social Sciences (4)

• Graduate Seminar (ENS 299; 1 unit)
• Master’s Thesis (ENS 300; 6 units)
• Specialization Courses (12)

Minimum Number of Units Required: 32

Areas of Specialization

Environmental Planning and Management

Environmental Planning and Management as an area of specialization focuses on the following:

• environmental policy;
• environmental program planning and administration;
• environmental impact assessment;
• urban and industrial ecology;
• environmental monitoring and evaluation; and
• environmental planning approaches and methods.

Environmental Restoration

Ecosystem restoration can be a tool for protecting biological diversity on the planet; it requires the recreation of prior structure and function including ecosystem services. Areas of focus include degraded forest and agro-ecosystems management, degraded aquatic ecosystems management, mined-out area restoration, volcanic debris restoration and river-bank stabilization.

Community-Based Resource Management

In the last two to three decades of environmental management, a new paradigm of governance arose from among many developing countries: no longer was the periphery or community to be discounted in relevance but to be made a partner in decision-making, and no longer is the top-to-bottom programming to be preferred but this is to be complemented by an equally strong bottom-to-top planning. A new thinking in environment and resource management emerged: community based approaches are likely to bring about better control of resource access and use, and if done correctly, is likely to sustain sound development. Areas of focus are:

• forest resources management;
• coastal resources management;
• waste management;
• mineral resource management; and
• agricultural systems management.

Protected Areas Management

Protected areas, such as wildlife reserves, parks and nature reserves, provide economic, ecological, educational and cultural benefits. Protected areas management considers social and demographic analyses of the local populations and the present and future threats to their sustainability caused by land use changes.

Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology

This program enables students to understand the chemical nature, effects and detection of environmental problems as well as acquire basic skills in conducting water, soil and air quality analyses. Areas of focus are:

• method development on water/wastewater analysis;
• water quality monitoring and assessment;
• wastewater characterization and treatment;
• waste utilization and pollution control; and
• chemodynamics and fate of chemicals

Ph.D. in Environmental Science

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Environmental Science is a university-wide, interdisciplinary program focusing on theoretical and methodological issues in environmental science and management. Graduates of this program are expected to deal competently with contemporary concerns in environmental analysis, planning and management.

The resolution of environmental problems requires linking together several disciplines and organizing knowledge to have a holistic view of the factors determining environmental conditions in a given time and place. The ability to integrate biophysical, social and cultural information is crucial in analyzing and resolving environmental problems. The program aims to sharpen the understanding of contemporary environmental issues and problems using tested analytic techniques, like case analysis, modeling and simulations. Students are expected to be able to formulate new methodologies of studying environmental phenomena.

Objectives

After completing the program, the student is expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the body of knowledge in his/her chosen area of specialization in environmental science;
• Undertake original and independent research on topics related to his/her area of specialization which would elucidate theories on and resolution of environmental problems; and;
• Contribute to the body of knowledge in environmental science by undertaking quality scholarly work.

Minimum Course Requirements

MS EnvSci Graduates

Major Courses 28 units

Core Courses .......................... 7

ENS 242 Economic Valuation for Environmental and Natural Resource Systems (3)

ENS 270 Dynamics of Population, Resources and Environment (3)

ENS 299 Graduate Seminar (1)

Courses from area of specialization 9
ENS 400 Doctoral dissertation 12

Cognate Courses ..................... 9

Total Number of Units 37

Non-MS EnvSci Graduates

Major Courses

Foundation Courses (ENS 201 plus any
two other core courses in MSEnvSci) 9-10

ENS 201 Ecosystems Structure and Dynamics (3)

ENS 211 Systems Analysis and Quantitative Methods in Natural Resource Management (3)

ENS 275 Contemporary Issues in Environment and Development (3)

ENS 296 Environmental Impact Assessment: Perspectives from the Natural and Social Sciences (4)

Core Courses 7

ENS 242 Economic Valuation for Environment and Resource
Systems (3)

ENS 270 Dynamics of Population,Resources and Environment (3)

ENS 299 Graduate Seminar (1)

Courses from Area of Specialization 9

ENS 400—Doctoral dissertation 12

Cognate Courses 9
Total Number of Units 46 to 47

Admission Requirements

For admission to the program, the student must have a Master’s degree in Environmental Science or a related discipline from any institution of higher learning recognized and accredited by the UPLB Graduate School. To be considered for admission, UP graduate student must have a GWA of 1.75 or better without a grade lower than 2.5 in any graduate course taken to be considered for regular admission. Applicant with GWA of 1.76 to 1.85 maybe considered for provisional admission subject to the recommendation of the Area of Specialization Committee (AOSComm). For non-UP graduate applicant, a GWA of 1.5 or better without a grade lower than 2.5 in any graduate course taken is required to be considered for regular admission. Applicant with GWA of 1.51 to 1.75maybe considered for provisional admission subject to AOSComm recommendation.

The following must be submitted to the graduate school prior to admission.

• Official transcript of records in English for each college previously attended.
• Three letters of recommendation from former major professors. These must be sent to the UPLB Graduate School by separate mail.

Certification of English proficiency by a professor of English. This is required only for applicants from other countries where English is not the medium of instruction nor the native language.

A non-refundable application fee of P100 for Filipino citizens or US$25 for foreign nationals in bank draft or international money order remitted to the UPLB Graduate School.

Requirements for Candidacy

A student seeking to qualify for candidacy to the PhD degree must have taken and passed any three of the four foundation courses in UPLB.

In addition, the student must pass a qualifying examination to be given by a guidance and advisory committee at a time within the schedule of course work prescribed by the committee. To pass the examination, the student must not receive any negative vote from any member of his/her advisory committee before registering in the second semester of residency.

Consistent with the existing rules of the UPLB Graduate School, courses taken in an MS degree may not be credited in the PhD degree, the core course which had already been taken in MS EnvSci will have to be substituted by other ENS courses. This is to ensure that the student fulfills the total units required in the program.

To be conferred with a degree, the student must passed both the written and oral examinations given by the examination committee and must be able to defend the dissertation.

Areas of Specialization

Environmental Security and Management

This area of specialization provides advanced training in policy analysis and research methodologies related to the study of environmental impact and threats to human and other populations, to communities and groups, and to their life support ecosystems and on how these can be regulated and controlled. A specialization in this area calls for substantial understanding of environmental and resource economics, environmental policy and governance, biophysical and ecological processes and conceptual and methodological frameworks for environmental and resource analysis, planning and management.

Protected Areas Planning, Development and Management

This area of specialization provides advanced training to develop expertise in planning, managing and developing protected natural areas. Courses are drawn from various disciplines concerned with water and soil resource conservation, management and development; biogeophysical and biosocial resources; and methods for protected areas planning and management.

Social Theory and Environment

This area of specialization provides advanced training in the analysis of human-resource interactions and how these become the bases for designing environmental resource policies and programs. This specialization focuses on matters related to societal issues in environmental management, social theory clarification and construction, and the formulation of appropriate research methodologies to address environmental problems

Profile of Graduate Faculty in Environmental Science

Alcantara, Antonio J.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Soil Microbiology—UPLB
Ph.D. Agronomy and Soil Science—University of Hawaii
Post Doctoral Training in Industrial Ecology and Cleaner Production—Dalhausie University, Nova Scotia
Landscape ecology
Soil science
Industrial ecology
Environmental planning and management

Aliño, Porfirio Alexander M.
B.S. Marine Biology –UP Diliman
MSc. Marine Biology—UP Diliman
PhD. Marine Chemical Ecology—James Cook University, Australia
Marine Biology

Badayos, Rodrigo B.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Soil Science –UPLB
Ph.D. Soil Genesis, Survey and Classification—Oregon State University
Soil survey and classification
Soil taxonomy

Baguinon, Nestor T.
B.S. Forestry—UPLB
MSc. Forest Biology—UPLB
PhD Forest Ecology—UPLB
Forest ecology

Bantayan, Nathaniel
B.S. Forestry—UPLB
M.Sc. Tropical and Applied Silviculture—
Wageningen University, The Netherlands

Ph.D. Engineering—University of Melbourne, Australia
Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
Watershed resource management
Land use planning

Bartolome, Benjamin J.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Soil Science—UPLB
PhD Urban Planning (21 units) - UP Diliman
Urban resource planning

Bondoc, Orville, L.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
MSc. Animal Breeding—UPLB
PhD Animal Breeding/Genetics - University of Guelph, Canada
Quantitative animal breeding and genetics
Conservation and use of animal genetic resources

Botengan-Pollisco, Mary Ann
B.A. Arts in Sociology—UPLB
MSc Rural Sociology—UPLB
PhD Watershed Management—University of Arizona
Natural resource management
Watershed management
Rural sociology

Briones, Nicomedes D.
B.S. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
M.Sc. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
Ph.D. Agricultural and Resource Economics—
University of Hawaii, Hawaii
Environmental resource economics
Environmental impact assessment
Environmental risk assessment

Buot, Inocencio E. Jr.
B.S. Agriculture—Cebu State College of Science and Technology
M.Sc. Botany—UPLB
Ph.D. Botany –Chiba University, Japan
Botany
Vegetation Ecology
Plant Geography
Ecology and systematic

Capitan, Severino S.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Animal Science—UPLB
Ph.D. Animal and Dairy Science—Punjab Agricultural University, India
Animal Nutrition
Reproductive Physiology

Cardenas, Virginia A.
B.S.
M.Sc.
Ph.D.
Extension Education
Rural Sociology
Agricultural Education

Capistrano, Ana Doris
B.S. in Business Economics—UP Diliman
M.Sc. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
Ph.D. Food and Resource Economics—University of Florida
Natural resources and environmental economics
Forest governance

Cariño, Benjamin V.
B.A. Public Administration—UP Diliman
M.A. Urban Studies—Indiana University
Ph.D. Political Science—Indiana University, USA
Regional and urban planning

Cervancia, Cleofas R.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Entomology—UPLB
Ph.D. Ecology—University of Wales, United Kingdom
Plant ecology
Apiculture

Coladilla, Jesusita O.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Environmental Science—UPLB
Ph.D. Environmental Science—UPLB
Systems Analysis
Land Use Planning

Concepcion, Rogelio N.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Soil Science—Cornell University
Ph.D. Agronomy—Cornell University
Agronomy
Landscape ecology
Sustainable agriculture and land use

Cruz, Rex Victor O.
B.S. Forestry—UPLB
MSc. Forestry—UPLB
Ph.D. Watershed Management—University of Arizona, USA
Watershed and forest resource management
Land use change
Environmental Forestry
Soil and Water Conservation

Cuevas Virginia C.
B.S. Botany—UPLB
M.Sc. Botany - UPLB
Ph.D. Botany—UPLB
Plant ecology
Botany (Mycology)
Microbiology

de Asis, Alejandro M.
B.S. Agricultural Engineering—UPLB
M.Sc. Environmental Studies - UPLB
Ph.D. Biological and Environmental Engineering—University of Tokyo
Agrometeorology/hydrometeorology
Environmental studies

De Lara, Ayolani V.
B.S. Biological Sciences—University of the East
M.Sc Zoology—UP Diliman
Ph.D. Zoology—UP Diliman

Demafelis, Rex B.
B.S. Chemical Engineering—University of San Agustin
MSc. Bio-Chemical Engineering—UP Diliman
Bio-chemical engineering
Chemical waste management

Dizon, Josefina T.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Agr. Agronomy—UPLB
M.S. Forestry—UPLB
Ph.D. Community Development—UPLB
Community Development
Social Forestry

Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.
B.S. Biology—UPLB
M.S. Forestry—UPLB
Ph.D. Geography—University of Guelph, Canada
Human Geography
Resource Assessment

Flavier, Maxima
B.S. Agricultural Chemistry—UPLB
M.S. Agricultural Chemistry—UPLB
Ph.D. Agricultural Chemistry—UPLB
Post Doc.—University of Tokyo
Agricultural Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry

Florece, Leonardo M.
B.S. Forestry—UPLB
Master of Forestry—UPLB
Ph.D. Fire Management—University of New Brunswick, Canada
Forest Fire Ecology and Management
Environmental Restoration

Galapate, Ritchelita P.
B.S. Chemistry—Siliman University
M.Sc. Environmental Science—Hiroshima University
Doctor of Engineering (Environmental Science) - Hiroshima University
Environmental Chemistry and toxicology

Gonzales, Juan Carlos T.
B.S Zoology—UPLB
M.Sc Zoology—UPLB
Biodiversity conservation

Gruezo, William SM
B.S. Forest Resources Management—UPLB
M.Sc. Botany—UPLB
Ph.D. Plant Systematic— University of Alberta, Canada
Plant systematic
Forest resource management

Habito, Consuelo, DL
B.S. Zoology—UPLB
MS. Zoology—UPLB
PhD Geomatics Engineering—University of Melbourne, Australia
Aquatic ecology
Environmental modelling

Hilomen, Vincent V.
B.S. Marine Science—UP Diliman
M.Sc. Marine Biology—UP Diliman
Ph.D. Marine Biology— James Cook University of North Queensland, Australia
Coral reef fish ecology
Fish population dynamics

Javier, Aser B.
B.S. Agriculture - UPLB
Master of Management— UPLB
Ph.D. International Development Administration—Nagoya University, Japan
Local governance and development
Administrative governance
Institution building/development
Management of innovation and change
Participatory monitoring and evaluation
Extension governance

Lamug, Corazon B.
B.S. Pyschology—UP Diliman
M.Sc. Sociology—UP Diliman
Ph.D. Sociology—University of Illinois, USA
Social impact Assessment
Sociology

Lansigan, Felino P.
B.S. Statistics—UPLB
M.Sc. Statistics—UPLB
Ph.D. Hydrology and Water Resources—Colorado State University, USA
Statistical hydrology
Data management and analysis
Vulnerability assessment
Systems analysis and simulation modeling
Environmental risk analysis, monitoring and assessment

Lapitan, Portia G.
B.S. Forestry—UPLB
M.Sc. Forestry—UPLB
Ph.D. Agriculture (Tree Physiology/Forest Genetics) - Seoul National University, Korea

Macandog, Damasa M.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Soil Science—UPLB
Ph.D. Botany—University of New England, Australia
Ecophysiological modeling
Soil erosion, fertility changes and environmental impacts of global change

Migo, Veronica P.
B.S. Agricultural Chemistry—UPLB
M.Sc. Soil Science—UPLB
Ph.D. Agricultural Chemistry—UPLB
Molecular biology and biotechnology

Mitchlik, Lilibeth A.
B.S. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
Master of Philosophy in Economics and Politics of Development—University of Cambridge, England
Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics—University of Bonn, Germany
Land use change modeling
Agent-based modelling

Ong, Susan A.
B.S. Landscape Architecture—U.P. Diliman
M.S. Landscape Architecture—University of Melbourne
Australia
Landscape Architecture

Ocampo, Mimosa C.
B.S. Home Technology—UPLB
M.Sc. Community Development—UPLB
Ph.D. Development Studies—Nagoya University, Japan
Community development
Social research
Resource generation/fund raising
Human resource development and management

Pacardo, Enrique P.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Agricultural Botany—UPLB
Ph.D. Environmental Plant Physiology—University of Aberdeen, Scotland
Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring
Community-Based Resource Management
Environmental Planning and Management
Farming Systems and Agro-forestry
Water Resource Management and Drip Irrigation
Rural Development

Palis, Florencia G.
B.S. Statistics—UPLB
M.Sc. Statistics—UPLB
Ph.D. Anthropology—UP Diliman
Anthropology

Paningbatan, Eduardo P.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Soil Science– UPLB
Ph.D. Soil Science—University of California Davis, USA
Soil physics and soil conservation
Agricultural systems
Agricultural systems simulation and modelling

Peralta, Eleno O.
B.S. Forestry—UPLB
Bachelor of Law _ University of Pangasinan
M.Sc. Forestry—UPLB
Ph.D. Forestry—UPLB
Environmental Governance and Policy
Forestry laws and governance

Primavera, Jurgenne H.
B.S. Zoology—UP Diliman
M.A. Zoology—Indiana University
Ph.D. Marine Science—UP Diliman
Aquaculture
Marine biology

Rapera, Corazon B.
B.S. Forestry—UPLB
M.Sc. Forest economics—UPLB
Ph.D. Forest economics—Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University
Agricultural resource economics
Forestry economics

Rebancos, Carmelita M.
B.S. Home Technology—UPLB
M.Sc. Community Development—UPLB
Ph.D. Extension Education—UPLB
Extension education

Rola, Agnes O.
B.S. Statistics—UP Diliman
M.Sc. Agriculural Economics—UPLB
Ph.D. Agricultural economics—University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Rural and agricultural policy
Agricultural production economics
Economics of sustainable agriculture

Rola, Walfredo R.
B.S. Agricultural economics—UPLB
M.S. Agricultural economics—UPLB
M.A. Agricultural economics—University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D. Land resources—University of Wisconsin –Madison
Land use planning
Agricultural resource economics

Sajise, Percy E.
B.S. Agriculture – UPLB
M.Sc.Plant Ecology—Cornell University
Ph D. Plant Ecology—Cornell University
Tropical Rainforest Ecology
Ecology and Resource Management
Upland Resource Management
Plant Succession and Reforestation

Sanchez, Fernando C., Jr.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Environmental Studies—UPLB
Ph.D. Landscape Architecture—Tokyo University of Architecture Science
Landscape planning
Turf management
Landscape management

Sumalde, Zenaida M.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
Ph.D. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
Post Doc Natural Resources and Environmental economics—UBC, Canada
Natural resource and environmental economics

Subida, Ronald D.
Ph.D. Public Medicine
Environmental Health Risk Assessment

Tapay, Nenita P.
B.S. Agriculture –UPLB
M.Sc. Agricultural Education –UPLB
Ph.D. Sociology—Colorado State University
Social and formal organization
Technology and social impact assessment
Participatory rapid rural appraisal
Social research methods

Velasco, Luis Rey I
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Entomology—UPLB
Ph.D. Entomology—University of Queensland, Australia
Entomology

Yorobe, Jose M.
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
Ph.D. Agricultural Economics—UPLB
Ph.D. Enrichment Program—Purdue University, USA
Agricultural Policy and Sub-Sectoral Modeling
Agricultural Marketing and Prices

Zaparalla, Macrina
B.S. Agriculture—UPLB
M.Sc. Agricultural Botany—UPLB
Ph.D. Environmental Science—UP Diliman
Environmental Impact Assessment
Lake water ecosystem

Zamora, Oscar B.
B.S. Agricultural Chemistry—UPLB
M.Sc. Agronomy—UPLB
Ph.D. Crop Physiology/Agricultural Systems—University of Queensland, Australia
Crop Physiology
Agricultural systems

Outstanding Alumni Awardees

2000 Awardee

2001 Awardee

2002 Awardee

SESAM's Alumni Association

Vision
Mission
Objectives:

Officers:

The SESAM's Alumni

Graduates of Master of Science in Environmental Science

Graduates of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science