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Ph.D. in Environmental Science
The doctoral program in environmental science equips students with skills and training
in the basic and applied sciences with the objectives of improving society’s understanding
of environmental problems and helping manage, mitigate, and avoid those problems. Take a look at our
latest
ES Viewbook, now
available in PDF format.
The doctoral program in environmental science is a rigorous, interdisciplinary course of study.
The overall objectives of the program are: (1) to clarify and improve understanding of
environmental problems and to identify solutions to these problems; and (2) to foster collaborative,
interdisciplinary research amongst scientists from various disciplines.
More specifically the Ph.D. in environmental science requires students to:
- acquire substantial knowledge in a primary environmental science concentration;
- develop breadth in related environmental science fields;
- become proficient in advanced research methods and develop expertise in a chosen dissertation topic; and
- compose a dissertation that evidences original research and high proficiency in the interpretation,
analysis, and explanation of environmental phenomena.
Additional curricular and administrative aspects of the Ph.D. in Environmental Science program
are found at
Degree Structure and Requirements.
Dissertation research may be interdisciplinary or may focus on one sub-discipline of environmental
science. SPEA’s environmental science faculty perform research in one or more of the following areas:
applied ecology, atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemistry, bioremediation and environmental microbiology,
conservation biology, contaminant fate and transport, forest ecology, environmental chemistry,
GIS applications, global climate change, groundwater flow modeling, limnology, mathematical biology
and statistics, meteorology and climatology, and toxicology and developmental neurobiology.
Specific research projects are highlighted in the individual
faculty research profiles or within the home pages of
some of SPEA’s
research centers, institutes, and laboratories.
Applicants to this program should possess a minimum of one baccalaureate degree in
science or mathematics or engineering, or a closely related field. Completion of
the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is required for admission.
The candidate’s statement of his/her research interests is a key component of
the admissions application. This statement is used during the admissions process
to match students' research interests with those of one or more faculty members.
The statement should refer to a specific area (or areas) of research interest, and,
if possible, identify potential research mentors by name.
Degree Structure and Requirements
The overall goal of the Ph.D. in Environmental Science program is to provide a rigorous,
comprehensive education in environmental science. The specific objectives of the program are
(1) to conduct advanced research and scientific analysis of environmental events, issues, and problems;
(2) to further understanding of the nature and management of natural and human environments; and
(3) to provide an opportunity for students and faculty members in several departments to engage
in collaborative environmental research in an interdisciplinary mode.
Admission
A student must apply to the School of Public and Environmental Affairs for doctoral studies.
Those accepted for doctoral studies in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs will be
recommended to the University Graduate School for formal admission into the Ph.D. program.
Applicants to this program must have completed at least a bachelor's degree in science,
mathematics, engineering, or a closely related field. Applicants for admission are required
to submit a statement of career goals, official results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE),
official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed, and a minimum of three
letters of recommendation . Students whose native language is not English must also submit
results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Advisory Committee
As soon as possible after the student has enrolled, but not later than one semester after
enrollment, an advisory committee for each student must be organized. Normally this committee
will consist of a least four faculty members. At least two should be the School of Public and
Environmental Affairs; the others may be from one or more other departments. Membership of
the advisory committee will be approved by the director of the doctoral program in environmental
science and the dean of the University Graduate School. At least three members of the advisory
committee must be members of the graduate faculty.
Degree Requirements
The degree requires (1) substantial knowledge in a primary environmental science concentration;
(2) breadth in related environmental science and policy; (3) an understanding of research methods;
(4) an in-depth knowledge of the dissertation topic; and (5) a dissertation that demonstrates
the student's ability to analyze, explain, and interpret research clearly and effectively.
Fields of Study
Each student will define an interdisciplinary principal field of study and describe it in a
narrative statement. The narrative statement should discuss the student's previous educational
experiences, outline a program of course work that lies within the student's proposed field of
study, and state the student's career objectives.
Each student is also required to prepare a program of course work that fulfills the requirement
of breadth in environmental science and policy. The breadth requirement may be fulfilled by
using a wide spectrum of environmentally related courses, including areas such as economics,
law, and management, in addition to other science courses. Each student is also required to
prepare a statement of activities for meeting the research methods requirement. Normally these
will include computer applications and areas of applied mathematics such as statistics and
mathematical modeling, although other technical skill areas such as electronics and analytical
chemical techniques may be appropriate.
The research undertaken by the student will be interdisciplinary in nature rather than
specifically disciplinary as in a traditional science department. Because a knowledge of
the basic sciences is necessary to understanding environmental problems, and the application
of that knowledge is necessary for the development of solutions to those problems,
the research may be primarily basic, primarily applied, or some mixture of both.
Course Requirements
The exact nature and amount of course work in each of three areas—1) principal
field of study, (2) breadth in environmental science, and (3) research methods—will
be determined by the advisory committee after review and approval of the student's plan of
study in each of these areas. Selection of specific courses will focus on obtaining
(1) adequate knowledge for qualifying examinations, (2) appropriate preparation for a
research project, and (3) a mixture of courses that meet the individual professional goals of the student.
The Ph.D. degree requires the completion of at least 90 credit hours
in advanced study and research beyond the bachelor's degree. A student
must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of advanced course work
to provide breadth in environmental science. Students must also complete
a minimum of 30 credit hours of research, normally taken as SPEA E625
or SPEA E890. The student, with approval of the advisory committee,
should complete some combination of additional course work and research
credit sufficient to meet the 90 credit hour requirement.
Students should note that all 30 credit hours of advanced course work,
if properly selected, and 6 credit hours of research, may be applied
toward the Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) degree.
With an additional 12 credit hours of approved course work, a student
may be awarded the MSES degree while completing the requirements for
the Ph.D. degree in environmental science. Completion of the MSES
degree as part of this doctoral program is not a requirement; however,
this option may be appropriate for many students.
Qualifying Examinations
Before a student is admitted to candidacy, all requirements determined by the advisory
committee must be met and the qualifying examinations passed. A student who fails qualifying
examinations may retake them only once. The decision to admit a student to doctoral candidacy
will be made by the advisory committee, which will evaluate the student's performance in a
written examination, research proposal, and oral examination.
Written Examination
This examination should be taken by the end of a student's fifth semester in the Ph.D. program.
The exam focuses on topics covered by the student's course work and related to the student's
research interests. The examination is written and graded by the student's advisory committee.
The written examination is graded as pass, conditional pass, or fail.
Research Proposal
No later than the end of the fifth semester, the student should submit a written research
proposal for review by the advisory committee. The proposal should be documented, stating
clearly a research objective, the approach to be taken, and the significance of the work.
Oral Examination
Each candidate will be examined orally by the advisory committee. The oral examination will
be comprehensive in nature and also will cover the student's research proposal.
Research Committee
Upon successful completion of the qualifying examination, a research committee will be formed.
Normally this committee will consist of least four faculty members. At least two should be from
the School of Public and Environmental Affairs; the others may be from one or more other departments.
The director of the doctoral program in environmental science will recommend the student's research
committee to the dean of the University Graduate School. At least three members of the research
committee must be full members of the graduate faculty.
Dissertation
A dissertation is required and must be of sufficient value to warrant publication.
The dissertation must represent a substantial research effort, both in quality and quantity.
A public presentation of the dissertation research is required. The dissertation must be approved
by the research committee.