Environmental Science and Public Policy
Faculty
Adamkewicz, Andrykovitch, Beach, Birchard, Botkin, Bradley, L. Brown, R. Brown,
Christensen, Conlan, Cozzens, Crepeau, deMonsabert, Diecchio, Dietz, Emsley, Ernst,
Foster, Fryxell, Gifford, Guagnano, Gunn, Haack, Hamblin-Katnik, Harris, Hart, Honeychuck,
Houk, Jonas (Director), R. Jones, Kalof, Kelso, Kozlowski, Lawrey, Litchfield, Mahler,
Megonigal, Meyer, Morowitz, Mose, Mushrush, Nadeau, Oates, Palkovitch, Pfiffner,
Rao, Regan, Rockwood, Royt, Ryan, Schreifels, Skog, Soyfer, Talbot, Taub, Torzilli,
Walbridge, White, Willett, Wilson, Wright
Course Work
All course work designated EVPP in the Course Descriptions section of this catalog
is offered by this program.
Environmental Science and Public Policy, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy is an interdisciplinary program
centered in the Biology Department. The Departments of Public and International Affairs,
Chemistry, Economics, Geography and Earth Science, and Sociology and Anthropology
also participate.
This program provides students with training to contribute to the solution of
complex environmental problems. This goal requires development of knowledge and skills
in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of scientific data as well as the
integration of scientific understanding into the public policy process.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of at least 3.000.
Applicants should have taken at least two semesters of chemistry and three semesters
of biology including ecology. Application deadline for admission in the fall semester
is February 15. Admission to spring semester is not available.
All applicants must submit the following:
- Scores on the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (this may be
waived if the applicant has a master's degree in an appropriate field).
- Three letters of recommendation (at least two of these should be from individuals
with Ph.D.'s).
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
- A recent resume.
- A substantial statement of interest in the program including potential area of
concentration and an explanation of career goals.
In addition, it is recommended that each applicant schedule an interview with
the program director or environmental faculty member in the area of concentration.
Admission decisions are based on the student's qualifications and the availability
of a faculty advisor.
Degree Requirements
The Environmental Science and Public Policy doctoral program requires a minimum
of 78 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. Students with a master's degree
in an appropriate field may obtain a waiver of up to 30 graduate credits. To ensure
that all students obtain the necessary skills and knowledge to function as an environmental
professional, the program requires all students to fulfill the following category
requirements:
Category 1. Natural Sciences. A minimum of 12 credits in areas of natural
science such as biology, chemistry, geology, geography, or environmental engineering.
Category 2. Public Policy. A minimum of 12 credits in areas related to
public policy such as public affairs, economics, sociology, and business. A course
in environmental law is required as part of this category requirement.
Category 3. Methods and Technology. A minimum of six credits in research
skills such as statistics, remote sensing, geographic information systems, analytical
chemistry, modeling, or information technology.
Category 4. Doctoral Seminar. Must be taken twice.
Beyond these basic requirements students should indicate whether they intend to
concentrate in either environmental science or environmental public policy. Those
concentrating in environmental science should expect to take a total of 24 credits
in natural science, whereas those concentrating in environmental policy should take
24 credits of public policy course work. A specific set of recommended courses is
provided for students in the environmental policy concentration.
In keeping with the general philosophy inherent in a Ph.D. degree, students adopt
an individual program focus that is concentrated on a specific area of research.
The student's course work must provide the knowledge base from which an original
research project in their specific area of interest can be successfully completed.
Upon admission to the program each student is assigned an advisor from the environmental
faculty. The advisor guides the student through course selection. An advisor may
be changed by mutual consent of student and advisor or by petition to the program
director. Each student is required to complete a course work proposal, by the end
of the second semester of courses, which must be approved by the advisor and the
program director.
By the end of the fourth semester of course work, the student should assemble
a dissertation committee of at least four graduate faculty members with representation
from at least two academic departments. After reviewing the student's course work
proposal, progress to date, and area of research, the committee makes final recommendations
concerning course work that will be codified in the program of study to be signed
by all committee members.
Upon completion of all (or nearly all) course work, the student may request to
take the qualifying or candidacy exam. The qualifying exam has both oral and written
parts. The written portion consists of questions submitted by each member of the
dissertation committee. Successful completion of the written exam should be followed
by the oral portion within one month. The qualifying exam may be repeated once at
the discretion of the student's committee. Upon completion of all course work and
passage of the qualifying exam, and submission of the program of study, the student
is recommended for advancement to candidacy by the program director. Students must
advance to candidacy within five years of admission to the program.
Dissertation
Students must complete a dissertation (12-24 credits). No more than half the credits
specified for dissertation credit on the student's Program of Study may be taken
as EVPP 998 Dissertation Proposal. The dissertation is an original written work demonstrating
mastery of subject matter, methodologies, and conceptual foundations on a specific
problem in the general field of environmental science and public policy. The dissertation
will generally involve collection and analysis of original data or the substantially
new analysis and reinterpretation of existing data.
Before the student may enroll in dissertation research, the student must have
advanced to candidacy and have a dissertation proposal approved by the dissertation
committee, program director, and dean of the college. Guidelines for preparing the
dissertation proposal and dissertation are available from the program director. In
preparation for the dissertation the student may enroll in the doctoral dissertation
proposal course for credit.
The student must present the completed dissertation in a public seminar and defend
the work before the dissertation committee. Awarding of the degree is contingent
on approval of the dissertation by the dissertation committee, program director,
and dean. The dissertation and defense must be completed within five years of advancement
to candidacy.
Lack of enrollment for two consecutive semesters will result in inactive status.
Reactivation of program enrollment is by application to the doctoral program director
and is contingent upon availability of program resources and past performance.
Return to Catalog Index |