2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Science

This degree prepares graduates for careers in post-secondary education, where research is among the professional expectations, and for careers in scientific research in the public and private sectors. Unique to this degree is its interdisciplinary focus. Each student’s program originates in a major discipline, is complemented by coursework from other scientific disciplines, and culminates in a dissertation that draws from more than one discipline. Each student will participate in an interdisciplinary research colloquium every semester in residence and will present his/her research at several meetings of the colloquium. Students develop the skills necessary to pursue complex questions in Environmental Science that requires an interdisciplinary approach. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School.

At least 60% of credits across all courses and years must come from 600- or 700-level courses.

90 credits

Foundation courses, 18 credits

Students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits of ID 605.

CHEM 627Environmental Chemistry

3

GEOG 625GIS for Environmental Science

3

BIO 656Ecosystem Ecology

3

ID 605Academic Colloquium

1

EGNR 602Colloquium in Environmental Sciences, Geology and Natural Resources Research

3

Numerical methods, 3 credits

If the courses listed below are not available in a semester, students may choose to take one of the following courses with permission from their advisor and the program director: MATH 622; SOC 684; BIO 648; DSCI 605; CS 621; ICS 625; DSCI 607.

BIO 657Multivariate Analysis of Environmental Data

3

or

GEOG 618Quantitative Methods in Environmental Geography

3

Research Courses (700-level), 13 credits

Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of DISS 799.

Students must take a minimum of 3 credits of SCI 790.



SCI 790Internship in Science Education

1 TO 4

DISS 799Doctoral Dissertation

1-24

Electives, 26 credits

Any 500 or 600 level class in BIO, CHEM, EGNR, GEOG, GEOL, NREM, DSCI, MATH, or CS with permission of the program director.

Approved graduate transfer credit

Up to 30 credits can be approved as graduate transfer credits.

Total Credit Hours: 90