PhD Degree

PhD. Degree Program Courses

The ES Graduate Core. The ES graduate core will consist of 4 new courses, totaling 10 Cr for Ph. D. students. The purpose of the core is to introduce new students to faculty, to give students a sense of programmatic identity, to foster interdisciplinary thinking among students and faculty, to expose students to the breadth of existing environmental science courses, to expose students to a focused area of environmental science, to give students the opportunity for academic exploration, and to teach research skills. The 4 new courses are:

  1. Environmental Perspectives and Methods ENSC 515 (3 Cr, fall quarter).
  2. Environmental Analysis ENSC 520 (3 Cr, winter quarter).
  3. Research Profiles ENSC 530 (3 Cr, spring quarter).
  4. Joint-Campus Environmental Science Workshop ENSC 540 (1 Cr, spring quarter).

Methods and Numerical Skills Courses. Courses in research methods, experimental design, statistical analysis, and modeling ensure students have sufficient skills for environmental research. 9 Cr of course work are required for the Ph. D. degree.

ES Areas of Concentration (Tracks). Sets of courses that constitute an Area of concentration have been established within the ES Graduate Program to give focus to study and research. Six Areas of Concentration have been defined. New Areas of Concentration can be developed by groups of faculty and students. Areas of Concentration consist of at least 30 Cr for Ph. D. students. The Areas of Concentration that are currently available include:

  1. Ecology
  2. Biogeochemistry
  3. Social Science
  4. Quantitative Analysis
  5. Water Resources
  6. Environmental Education

Elective Courses. Elective courses are to be defined in the student's Program of Study, and agreed upon by the student and the advising committee. Courses may be selected to provide additional background, to explore new areas, and to add depth to a scholastic program.

Thesis. A central purpose of the Ph. D. degree is to teach students the process of environmental research. A minimum of 36 Cr are required for original research leading to a thesis that complies with standards established by the Graduate School and the ES Graduate Program.

Other available Environmental Science Graduate Courses:

  1. ENSC 601 Research
  2. ENSC 603 Thesis
  3. ENSC 605 Reading and Conference
  4. ENSC 606 Projects
  5. ENSC 607 Seminar
  6. ENSC 608 Joint-Campus ENSC Workshop
  7. ENSC 699 Selected Topics