Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (Ph.D.)

Program Overview

The Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES) PhD program trains scientists and scholars to address natural resource allocation, policies, and societal factors impacting resource management. Through interdisciplinary coursework and research, graduates develop skills for independent scientific research and solving environmental challenges in the context of global change. The program offers a flexible structure with core requirements in natural sciences, ethics, methods, and interdisciplinary research. Graduates pursue careers in academia, government, non-profits, and the private sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES) PhD within the Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science PhD program aims to train scientists and scholars to address issues related to natural resource allocation, policies, and ethical and societal factors impacting resource management. Through interdisciplinary coursework and doctoral research, graduates develop the skills to conduct independent scientific research, apply their findings to address fundamental questions in their field, and solve societal and environmental challenges, particularly in the context of global change.

Outline:

The NRES PhD program structure is flexible to accommodate diverse student interests. All students must complete the following core requirements:

Coursework:

• Natural Sciences
• Ethics/Policy/Law
• Methods
• Seminar
• NRES 997: Interdisciplinary Research in Natural Resources and Earth and Environmental Sciences
Students entering without a master's degree must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. Those with a master's degree in a related field may have reduced credit requirements, determined by the guidance committee. Up to 12 credits of independent study and/or seminar courses can be applied to the total course requirement.

Examinations:

• Comprehensive Exam: Written and oral exam covering basic concepts and factual material.
Students have three weeks to complete the written exam and must present their answers to the committee orally.
• Proposal Exam: Written proposal on the dissertation research topic followed by a public oral presentation and oral examination by the committee.
• Final Exam: Public presentation and oral defense of the written PhD dissertation.

Assessment:

Assessment methods may vary depending on the student's guidance committee. However, all students are evaluated based on their performance in coursework, examinations, research, and dissertation defense.

Teaching:

The NRES PhD program utilizes a combination of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, seminars, independent study, and research supervision. Faculty members have expertise in various areas of natural resources and environmental studies, providing students with diverse perspectives and guidance.

Careers:

Graduates of the NRES PhD program pursue careers in academia, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Potential career paths include:

• University professor or researcher
• Environmental scientist or policy analyst
• Natural resource manager
• Science writer or communicator
• Environmental consultant