2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Environmental Science and Public Policy, PhD


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; Molecular and Microbiology; 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.

In addition to the materials required of all applicants for graduate study at Mason, applicants should submit the following:

  • Scores on aptitude portion of GRE (may be waived for applicants with a master’s degree in an appropriate field).
  • 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. Applicants with questions should contact the ESP Graduate Services office (703-993-3187).

Applicants who lack college level course work in biology and chemistry should contact the ESP graduate coordinator’s office for advice. Successful completion of a two semester sequence of introductory graduate level environmental chemistry and biology courses (preferably EVPP 506 and 507) would be sufficient background to prepare students without previous academic training in the natural sciences. These introductory courses would be in addition to the degree requirements listed below.

Before admission to the program, students are responsible for identifying a member of the environmental faculty willing to serve as their advisor. The advisor guides the student through initial course selection. An advisor may be changed by mutual consent of student and advisor, or petition to the graduate program director and the College of Science Dean.

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.

Students are required to complete a course work proposal by the end of the second semester of courses. The coursework proposal must be approved by the advisor and 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 students’ course work must provide the knowledge base from which 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 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, modeling, or information technology. Students should carefully choose course work to ensure they have the necessary skills to support dissertation research. Course work for the first two categories, with a substantial methods component, may be used to meet some of this requirement, subject to approval of the student’s committee.

Doctoral Seminar (4 credits):


Students must present a total of 4 graduate seminar credits, with EVPP 991 taken at least once.

Course Work Emphasis (12 credits):


  • Beyond the basic 12 hour natural science/public policy requirements, students usually will focus their study either on environmental science or environmental public policy. Those 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.

Advancement to Candidacy


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 Mason graduate faculty, with representation from at least two academic units. The dissertation committee must be approved by the Dean of the College of Science. 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.

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. 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.

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.

Doctoral Dissertation


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 half the credits specified for dissertation credit on the student’s program of study may be taken as EVPP 998. 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.

Total: 78 credits