INYO 501-P04

Dr. Sharif
Cong Yin
Nov. 17th, 2018

Academic Plan of Study

1. Introduction of my discipline and graduate program
The department of environmental science and policy offers Master of Science (MS) degrees
for graduate students. The master’s program aims to cultivate professionals who can address the
problems of land and water management, land use and urbanization and ecosystem preservation,
etc. Also, the professionals will contribute to global environmental issues such as deforestation,
insufficient world food supplies and depletion of stratospheric ozone (George Mason University,
2018). According to George Mason University (2018), the master’s program of environmental
provides major courses such as Environmental Policy, Molecular Environmental Biology and
Environmental Toxicity, which help to build comprehensive knowledge systems for students.
Students in the master’s program of Environmental Science and Policy must complete 33
credits in major courses. Also, students must participate in field works and finish their research
paper before graduation (George Mason University, 2018).

2. Academic goals
2.1.Goal 1#: Get a master’s degree in my major in George Mason University.
Specific: “What” = By May 1st, 2021, I should complete all of the requirements in my
master’s program. “Why” = I can apply for graduation and get my master’s degree. “How” = I
will get my master’s degree. Also, I will be able to apply to start my doctoral degree in my field.
Measurable:1) By May 1st, 2019, meet the requirements of graduate pathway program; 2) By
May 1st, 2021, get 33 credits in my master’s program; 3) By May 1st, 2021, complete my
research paper and pass the defend of my thesis.
Achievable: It is achievable because some mentors to me have finished the master’s program
in George Mason University. I should work hard on my master’s degree because I should choose
an instructor to start my research during master’s degree. If I work hard, I will be able to choose
the professor I want. Thus, I will be able to do research that I am familiar with. The research task
would be much easier.
Result-focused: The result of the goal is that I will be able to apply to study my doctoral
degree and continue doing research in my field.
Time-bound: In May 1st, 2019, complete the requirements of graduate pathway program and
submit an application to my department; In May 1st, 2021, finish all of the requirements of
masters’ degree and apply for graduation.
Revised goal1#: By May 1st, 2021, finish my master’s program and earn my master’s degree
in George Mason University.

2.2.Goal 2#: Publish a journal article in my field.

Specific: “What” = By May 1st, 2021, publishing one journal article in my field. “Why” = To
get deeper understanding of my academic field; to be more competitive in my field. “How” =
Being able to publish a journal article confirm the success of my academic study during master’s
degree.
Measurable:1) By Jan 1st, 2020, start to conduct my research and prepare the research article.
2) By Jan 1st, 2021, finish my research and complete my research article. 3) By May 1st, 2021,
publish my research article.
Achievable: If I work hard, I can choose my instructor to start my own research. Also, with
the help of my instructor, I will learn to write and submit my research article to a journal
publisher. It will be challengeable because I have never published research article. Thus, I must
learn as much knowledge as possible and start my research quickly.
Result-focused: The result of the goal is that I successfully get my research article published
in a journal publisher.
Time-bound: In Jan 1st, 2021, finish my research paper and consult my instructor about how
to publish my thesis; In May 1st, 2021, receive the inform that my article is allowed to be
published in one journal publisher.
Revised goal2#: By May 1st, 2021, publish a research article in my field.

2.3.Goal 3#: Get prepared for my doctoral degree in George Mason University.
 Specific: “What” = By May 1st, 2021, I should complete my master’s degree and choose an
instructor in my academic department in order to start my doctoral degree in George Mason
University. “Why” = If I want to become a professor in my field, the first thing is to get a
doctoral degree. “How” = Continuing studying my doctoral degree enhances my knowledge in
my academic field.
Measurable:1) By Jan 1st, 2020, start my research with one instructor in my department. 2)
By Jan 1st, 2021, finish my research in master’s degree and apply to continue doing research in
my doctoral degree with the same instructor.
Achievable: If I study hard enough, I would be able to choose an ideal instructor and start my
academic research with him. After that I will continue working hard in the research to learn
necessary knowledge in my research literature. If I perform excellent during my master’s degree,
I think the professor will be willing to accept me to continue studying my doctoral degree with
him.
Result-focused: The result of the goal is the permission to study my doctoral degree with the
same instructor.
Time-bound: In Jan 1st, 2020, send an application to one instructor in my department to start
my academic research; In Jan 1st, 2021, finish my research in master’s degree and apply to my
instructor to continue my doctoral degree with him.
Revised goal3#: By Jan 1st, 2021, get permission to continue my doctoral degree with the
same instructor of my master’s degree.

3. Annotated disciplinary resources list

3.1.Book1: Environmental Policy and Politics, 6th edition
Author: Kraft, Michael E.
Published year: 2015
Introduction: This book provides a comprehensive overview of environmental policies
implemented in the U.S. By depicting the formulation processes of environmental policies, the
roles of interest groups and the impacts of environmental regulations, this book helps readers
understand environmental policies. Also, readers are taught integrated methods to approach
policy assessment.
 3.2.Book2: Policy Analysis, 5th edition
Author: David Leo. Weimer, Aidan R. Vining.
Published year: 2011
Introduction: This book provides a conceptual foundation of the impacts, rationales, and
limitations of public policies. By teaching readers basic and integrated economic and social
conceptions, the authors of this book guide readers to analyze public policies. Students in the
major of environmental management can get both basic and integrated policy assessment
methods from this book.

3.3.Book3: The world in 2050

Author: Laurence C. Smith
Published year: 2010
Introduction: Using geographic statistics and graphs, the author depicted changes that
will take place in 21st century. This book discusses global environmental issues such as global
warming, the extinction of animals, the fragmentation of forests, the shortage of food and water
resources, etc. Also, in this book, the author introduces special insights on the impacts of global
environmental problems, which are usually ignored by environmentalists.
3.4.Book4: Silent Spring
Author: Rachel Carson, Linda Lear, Edward O. Wilson
Published year: 1962
Introduction: This book depicts a world under the overuse of pesticide. It evoked world-
wide concern about the negative impacts of the abuse of pesticide, forced the U.S. government to
ban the use of DDT. Also, the passionate statement of Carson in this book pushed the world to
launch environmental regulations and movements, making this book to be one of the landmark
books in 20th century.
3.5.Book5: Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global
Warming
Author: Paul Hawken, Tom Steyer
Published year: 2017
Introduction: Based on a comprehensive, world-wide research led by scientists and
policymakers around the world, this book provides ranked 100 solutions to reverse global
warming. These solutions benefit human society in terms of health, security, prosperity and well-
being. This book informs readers of the global crisis and guide people to create a livable and
sustainable world.
3.6.Material1: Water, Security and Conflict
Author: Peter Gleick, Charles Iceland
Published year: 2018
Introduction: This paper discusses the issues of water security and water shortage
situations over the world, which link to conflict, migration and food supply. Also, the authors
present key drivers behind global water crisis and approaches for decreasing water risks to global
security.
3.7.Material2: PARIS AGREEMENT AND BEYOND: INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE
CHANGE POLICY POST-2020
Author: Robert N. Stavins, Robert C. Stowe
Published year: 2016
Introduction: This paper specifically discusses the Paris Agreement, including an
overview of the transparency mechanism, the market mechanism and the financing mechanism
of the Paris Agreement. This professional material provides the deep thoughts of the Paris
Agreement, helping students to better understanding global environmental trends and future
development in the field of environmental science.

4. Course plan
A minimum of 33 credits are required to complete my master’s degree program in
George Mason University (George Mason University, 2018). Besides, I should meet the
research requirement and the seminar requirements (George Mason University, 2018).
I arrange the courses during my master’s program in the following table:
Course
Semester Course name Credits Notes
number
EVPP 515 Molecular environmental biology I 3
Required for those
Fall 2019
EVPP 607 Fundamentals of ecology 3 without
coursework in
 ecology (George
Mason University,
2018)
Waterscape ecology and
EVPP 550 3
management
Required for those
with limited
Introduction to environmental course work in
EVPP 608 3
social science social sciences
(George Mason
University, 2018)
EVPP 642 Environmental policy 3
Spring
EVPP 650 Ecosystem analysis and modeling 4
2020
EVPP 615 Molecular environmental biology II 3
Multivariate data analysis for
EVPP 651 3
ecology and environmental science
Master’s thesis in environmental Students who
EVPP 799 6
science and public policy finish thesis
should also present
their results in a
Fall 2020 public seminar and
defend their thesis
Master’s seminar in environmental
EVPP 692 1 before their
science and public policy
supervisory
committee.
(George Mason
University, 2018)
Source: Mason Catalog 2018-2019

5. An academic reflection
 Having studied over 3 months in Mason, I will finish my first semester of graduate pathway
program. During the 3 months study, both my English skills and academic skills were improved
significantly. In this section I will present my academic reflection as following paragraphs.
Firstly, the INTO Mason institution provides precise and meaningful courses for international
graduate students, helping them better adjusting academic atmosphere in the U.S. For me, I
attended courses such as EAP 506, EAP 098, EAP 099 and INYO 501, which provide great
opportunities to comprehensively study English skills. During classes, I participated in group
discussion and presentation. By actively communicating with other classmates, both my listening
and speaking skills were improved. Also, by finishing assignments off classes, my reading and
writing skills were cultivated. Moreover, the professors always give specific feedbacks for every
assignment, helping me better understand what need to be improved for the next assignments.
Secondly, I attended one major class in this semester. By attending this course, I am
accustomed to learning patterns and academic atmosphere in American universities. Also, I
learned practical skills to analyze the advantages and limitations of environmental policies.
Different from courses in my undergraduate university, graduate study requires me to think
critically on academic topics. Also, I need to create something that is different from what I have
learned from books or articles. After a three-month study in my major course, the biggest change
of me is that I am able to catch the points of my professor’s literatures, which is the biggest
challenge at the beginning of this semester. Moreover, by participating in the class discussions of
academic topics, my recognition of environmental science was enhanced. So far, I have learned a
lot of knowledge in the field of environmental policy, and I will work hard to finish my research
paper in this semester. Also, I will try to publish journal articles in my master’s degree, it is
challengeable but worth a try.
Lastly, the INTO Mason institution teaches me how to take advantages of accessible learning
resources on campus, including writing center, academic advising, seminars and lectures. Some
of them are similar to my undergraduate university while others are not. With the help of the
professors of in INTO Mason, I come to know how to utilize these available resources in an
American university. So, I am more confident and prepared for my master’s program in George
Mason University.
Reference:
George Mason University. (2018). Environmental Science and Policy, MS. Retrieved from
University Catalog 2018-2019: https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-
schools/science/environmental-policy/environmental-science-policy-ms/