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2014-2015 University Catalog
Environmental Science and Public Policy, PhD
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Banner Code: SC-PHD-EVPP
This interdisciplinary program draws on faculty and expertise from the Environmental Science and Policy departmental core faculty, as well as faculty from across the university. This includes the Departments of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences; School of Systems Biology; Public and International Affairs; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Economics; Geography and Geoinformation Science; and Sociology and Anthropology; as well as the School of Public Policy, the Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering, and the College of Education and Human Development.
Our graduates contribute to the solution of complex environmental problems, which require the development of knowledge and skills in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of scientific data, as well as in the integration of scientific understanding into the public policy process.
This program of study is offered by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy in the College of Science .
This has been designated a Green Leaf program. For further information, please go to Green Leaf Programs and Courses .
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of at least 3.00. They should have taken at least two semesters of chemistry and three semesters of biology, including a course in ecology. The application deadline is February 15 for admission to fall semester; admission to spring semester is usually not available.
Applicants must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study at Mason as specified in the Admission section of this catalog. In addition, applicants for the EVPP doctoral degree should submit the following:
- Scores on the aptitude portion of GRE
- Three letters of recommendation, with at least two from individuals with doctorates.
- Current résumé.
- Substantial statement of interest that includes a description of the specific area of proposed dissertation research, the potential focus (environmental science or environmental public policy), contacts that have been made with potential faculty advisors, and an explanation of career and research goals.
All students must obtain the consent of a faculty member willing to serve as an advisor prior to being fully admitted to the program. Admission decisions are based on the student’s qualifications and the availability of a faculty advisor. An advisor may be changed by mutual consent of student and advisor, or petition to the Graduate Program Director and the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs in the College of Science. Applicants with questions should contact the ESP Graduate Services office (703-993-3187).
Science and Ecology Background
Applicants who lack college level course work in biology and chemistry will be expected to complete a two semester sequence of introductory graduate level environmental chemistry and biology courses as follows:
These introductory courses will add six credits to the degree requirements listed below but cannot be added to the graduate program of study.
Students without previous coursework in general ecology will be required to take the following introductory course, which may be included in the graduate program of study.
Reduction of Credit
For students entering the doctoral program with a master’s degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution, the number of required credits may be reduced up to 30 credits, subject to approval of the program faculty and the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs. See the College of Science graduate policies section for more information. |
Degree Requirements
Students must satisfy all requirements for doctoral degrees expressed in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.
The 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 reduction of credit for appropriate course work of up to 30 graduate credits. Doctoral Course Work (54-66 credits)
Students are required to complete a course work proposal by the end of the second semester of residency. The coursework proposal must be approved by the student’s advisor and Graduate Program Director. In keeping with the general philosophy inherent in a PhD degree, students adopt an individual program that focuses on a specific area of research. The student’s course work must provide the knowledge base from which an original research projects in their specific areas of interest can be successfully completed.
To ensure that all students obtain the necessary skills and knowledge to function as environmental professionals, the program requires all students to fulfill the following four category course requirements: Natural Sciences (12 credits)
- At least 12 credits are required in biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, geography, or environmental engineering.
Public Policy (12 credits)
- At least 12 credits are required in public affairs, economics, sociology, and business. A course in environmental law is also required as part of this category.
Research Methods and Technology (9 credits)
- At least 9 credits are required in statistics, remote sensing, geographic information systems, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, modeling, or information technology. Students should carefully choose course work to ensure they have the necessary skills to support dissertation research.
Doctoral Seminar (4 credits)
Students must present a total of 4 graduate seminar credits, with EVPP 991 taken at least once. Course Work Focus (12 credits)
- Beyond the basic 12 hour natural science/public policy requirements, a student’s program of study will emphasize either environmental science or environmental public policy. Students focusing on environmental science should take another 12 credits (for a total of 24 credits) in natural science; those focusing on environmental public policy should take another 12 credits (for a total of 24 credits) of public policy course work. Previous thesis research courses may not be applied to this degree. See advisor for further details.
Electives (5-17 credits)
If necessary, students take additional electives to bring the total number of credits to 78 Dissertation Committee
Before the end of the fourth semester of course work, in consultation with their advisor, the student forms a Dissertation Committee of at least four members. Three of the committee members must be from the George Mason graduate faculty. The fourth member may be from George Mason or may be from outside the university provided they hold a terminal degree in an appropriate field. The Dissertation Committee must be approved by the Dean of the College of Science. Program of Study
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 and the Graduate Program Director. Students are advised to work closely with their advisor and committee to develop the course work program in order to facilitate the process of course selection. During the duration of graduate study, a student must meet with the full Dissertation Committee at least once a year. Qualifying Exams
On completion of all or nearly all course work, students may request to take the qualifying or candidacy exam. The qualifying exam has both written and oral components. 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. Advancement to Candidacy
Upon approval of the Program of Study, completion of all or nearly all course work, successful completion of the qualifying exam, and the approval of the Dissertation Proposal, the student is recommended for advancement to candidacy by the Graduate Program Director. Students must advance to candidacy within six years of admission to the program. Dissertation Research (12-24 credits)
Students must complete a dissertation (12 to 24 credits). This may be accomplished by taking EVPP 999 (Doctoral Dissertation) alone, or in combination with EVPP 998 (Doctoral Dissertation Proposal). However, no more than one half the credits specified for dissertation credit on the student’s program of study may be taken as EVPP 998 . Students working on dissertation research must register for a minimum of 3 credits of EVPP 999 per semester (excluding summers) until they have completed the minimum number of dissertation research credits. Then, they must register for 1 credit of EVPP 999 until the dissertation is complete and has been officially submitted to the library.
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 generally involves collection and analysis of original data or the substantially new analysis and reinterpretation of existing data. Dissertation Research and Defense
Before students may enroll in dissertation research (EVPP 999 ), they must have advanced to candidacy and have a dissertation proposal approved by the Dissertation Committee, Graduate Program Director, Department Chairperson, and Dean of the College. Students 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, Graduate Program Director, Department Chairperson, and Dean. The dissertation and defense must be completed within five years of advancement to candidacy. |
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