Program Overview
The Geoscience Environmental Science Ph.D. program at UNT combines perspectives from multiple disciplines to provide a comprehensive understanding of human impacts on the environment. It focuses on developing research solutions to preserve biodiversity, manage natural resources, and address the challenges of human-driven environmental change. Students benefit from the guidance of internationally recognized faculty and access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including climate-controlled research greenhouses.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Geoscience Environmental Science Ph.D. program at the University of North Texas is an interdisciplinary program that combines perspectives from Geography, Geology, Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, and other disciplines. The program focuses on understanding how humans are driving environmental change and developing research to solve problems and preserve biodiversity for future generations.
Objectives:
- Unlock critical insights into the delicate interactions between soil, water, and air.
- Research new ways to preserve natural resources.
- Refine understanding of how humans are driving environmental change.
Program Description:
- The program is a collaboration among the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Geography, the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, and other departments at UNT.
- The program offers graduate studies in environmental science leading to a Ph.D., granted through the Department of Biological Sciences.
- The course of study, involving both core and elective courses, is designed for students who desire an interdisciplinary perspective concerning human-environmental interactions.
Teaching:
- The department's facilities for research and graduate training are located in the Life Sciences Complex, Science Research Building, and the Environmental Education, Science, and Technology Building.
- The Life Sciences Complex, which has Gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for sustainability, includes an aquatics laboratory and four climate-controlled rooftop research greenhouses.
- Faculty members include internationally renowned researchers who have earned recognition from the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Society for Microbiology, among others.
Other:
- The rigorous curriculum has helped students receive prestigious appointments and awards from organizations including the Entomological Society of America.
- Qualified students are supported through competitive teaching assistantships or research assistantships funded by research grants to faculty members. Nine-month stipends and tuition scholarships are available for entering master's and doctoral students.
- The program emphasizes the development of marketable skills such as communication to professional/lay audiences, design field-based research protocols, proficiency in environmental ethics, recognition of national/international issues, and the ability to lead/direct research programs/projects.
