Earth and Environmental Sciences (Ph.D.)

Program Overview

The Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) PhD program trains scientists to conduct research on earth and environmental systems, addressing fundamental and applied questions. Through interdisciplinary coursework and doctoral research, graduates develop expertise in solving basic science questions and applying their work to societal and environmental issues, particularly in the context of global change.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Description:

The Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) PhD degree within the Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science PhD Program trains scientists whose research addresses fundamental and applied questions dealing with the physical, chemical, and/or biological processes that affect earth and environmental systems at local, regional, national, and global scales. Through interdisciplinary coursework and doctoral research, we train researchers who can independently pursue the process of science and scholarship, and effectively apply their research to both solve basic questions in earth and environmental science and apply their work to issues of relevance to society and the environment, especially in this era of global change.

Objectives:

The objectives of the EES PhD program are to:

• Train scientists who can independently pursue the process of science and scholarship
• Train scientists who can effectively apply their research to both solve basic questions in earth and environmental science and apply their work to issues of relevance to society and the environment
• Train scientists who can communicate their research effectively to a variety of audiences

Outline:

Course Schedule:

The EES PhD program is a five-year program. The first two years are devoted to coursework, the third and fourth years are devoted to research, and the fifth year is devoted to writing the dissertation.

Core Courses:

All students in the EES PhD program must take the following core courses:

• NRES 997: Interdisciplinary Research in Natural Resources and Earth and Environmental Sciences
• One course in each of the following four core areas:
• Natural sciences
• Ethics/policy/law
• Methods
• Seminar

Elective Courses:

In addition to the core courses, students in the EES PhD program can choose from a wide range of elective courses. These courses can be taken in a variety of departments, including:

• Earth Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Natural Resources
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Computer Science

Assessment:

Students in the EES PhD program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Coursework: Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all coursework.
• Examinations: Students must pass three examinations, each of which has both a written and oral component.
• Dissertation: Students must write and defend a dissertation that makes an original contribution to the field of earth and environmental sciences.

Teaching:

The EES PhD program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are actively engaged in research. The faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and to mentoring them in their research careers. The EES PhD program offers a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Field trips
• Laboratory work
• Independent study

Careers:

Graduates of the EES PhD program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in academia, government, and industry. Some common career paths for graduates of the program include:

• Professor
• Researcher
• Scientist
• Environmental consultant
• Policy analyst
• Science writer