ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Subject abbreviation: ENSC College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Laosheng Wu, Ph.D., Chair Daniel Schlenk, Ph.D., Vice-Chair CNAS Undergraduate Academic Advising Center, (951) 827-7294; CNASstudent@ucr.edu, envisci.ucr.edu

Professors Michael A. Anderson, Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry Jianying “Jay” Gan, Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry Daniel Schlenk, Ph.D. Aquatic Ecotoxicology James Sickman, Ph.D. Watershed Hydrology and Biochemistry Jiri Simunek, Ph.D. Hydrology Laosheng Wu, Ph.D. Soil Physics

Professors Emeriti Christopher Amrhein, Ph.D. Soil Chemistry Janet T. Arey, Ph.D. Atmospheric Chemistry Roger Atkinson, Ph.D. Atmospheric Chemistry Andrew C.-S. Chang, Ph.D. Agricultural Engineering David E. Crowley, Ph.D. Soil Microbiology Walter J. Farmer, Ph.D. Soil Chemistry William T. Frankenberger, Jr., Ph.D. Soil Microbiology Robert C. Graham, Ph.D. Soil Mineralogy William A. Jury, Ph.D. Soil Physics Keith C. Knapp, Ph.D. Natural Resource Economics Lanny J. Lund, Ph.D. Soil Morphology, Genesis, and Classification Albert L. Page, Ph.D. Soil Chemistry David R. Parker, Ph.D. Soil Biogeochemistry Roberto Sánchez-Rodriguez, Ph.D. Environmental Policy Henry J. Vaux, Jr., Ph.D. Natural Resource Economics Marylynn V. Yates, Ph.D. Environmental Microbiology Paul J. Ziemann, Ph.D. Atmospheric Science

Associate Professor Roya Bahreini, Ph.D. Atmospheric Science David M. Crohn, Ph.D. Biosystems Engineering Daniel Hirmas, Ph.D. Pedology David Volz, Ph.D. Environmental Toxicology

Assistant Professors Hoori Ajami, Ph.D. Groundwater Hydrology Andrew B. Gray, Ph.D. Watershed Hydrology Pete Homyak, Ph.D. Ecosystem and Soil Microbial Processes Francesca Hopkins, Ph.D. Climate Change and Sustainability King-Fai Li, Ph.D. Environmental Science/ Statistics Ying-Hsuan Lin, Ph.D. Environmental Toxicology William Porter, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences Samantha C. Ying, Ph.D. Soil Biogeochemistry

Cooperating Faculty Emma Aronson, Ph.D. (Plant Pathology and Microbiology) Ariel Dinar, Ph.D. (School of Public Policy) Darrel Jenerette, Ph.D. (Botany and Plant Sciences) Kurt A. Schwabe, Ph.D. (School of Public Policy) Haofei Zhang, Ph.D. (Chemistry)

The Department of Environmental Sciences offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in Environmental Sciences. Students are encouraged to concentrate their studies in one of five specialization areas: Soil Sciences, Hydrologic Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Toxicology, and Environmental Management.

Modern human activities related to natural resource development, agriculture, urbanization, industry, and transportation are placing unprecedented pressure on the earth’s life support systems. Changes taking place in atmospheric physics and chemistry, land cover, freshwater and marine resources, and chemical cycling threaten the ability of human society to sustainably meet current and future needs. Science-based solutions are needed to sustainably manage our natural resources and improve public health. To help meet these challenges, our program emphasizes training for students in the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of environmental sciences and health, centered on the major environmental media of air, soil, water, and the biosphere.

The structure of the Environmental Sciences curriculum provides a broad scope of instruction that enables students to explore various disciplines and professions focused on solving environmental problems. All students majoring in Environmental Sciences must complete a set of “core requirements” consisting of courses that provide a basic understanding of the physical, biological, and social sciences and their application to the analysis of environmental processes and management issues. In addition to the core requirements, students must complete 8 units of lower-division and 20 units of upper-division elective courses.

Students have the option to select their electives from different specialization areas or to focus their training in one of the five specialization areas based on their own educational and career objectives. The specialization areas of Soil Sciences, Hydrologic Sciences, or Atmospheric Sciences are suitable for students wishing to maintain a broad range of choices in technically-oriented environmental professions such as pollution control, hazardous materials management, public health, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, and impact analysis. These options also provide the necessary background for graduate study in soil science, water resources, or atmospheric sciences as well as interdisciplinary areas such as ecosystem science and forestry. The Environmental Toxicology specialization area emphasizes the chemistry and biochemistry of toxic substances in the environment, preparing students for careers dealing with the control of contaminants in various environmental media as well as related fields such as public health and industrial hygiene. The Environmental Management specialization area is oriented for the social context of environmental sciences and prepares students for careers dealing with environmental regulation, land-use planning, environmental impact analysis, and administration of environmental protection programs.

Environmental Internship Program The Environmental Internship Program offers students opportunities to work with govern- ment agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations involved in environmental affairs. As excursions into professional life, internships provide “hands-on” experience in applying the principles presented in courses. Beyond the highly specialized training associated with on-the-job activities, students can gain insights into their aptitudes, aspirations and work habits that enable them to clarify their academic and career objectives. Professional acquaintances established during internships can continue to serve as important contacts for students after the internship is completed.

Although most internships are part-time (12–15 hours per week) positions in the Riverside area, organizations that host student interns are located throughout the United States and in Washington, D.C. Students working as interns may receive stipends, hourly wages, or serve as volunteers, depending upon the specific appointment. Up to 16 units of credit toward the bachelor’s degree may be earned by developing an academic component of the internship in consultation with a faculty supervisor and enroll- ing in ENSC 198-I.

Undergraduate Research Students interested in enhancing the status of knowledge about environmental processes or seeking new solutions to environmental problems may gain training and experience as part-time employees in the department’s research laboratories and other research facilities, such as the U.S. Salinity Laboratory, located on campus, and the USDA Pacific Southwest Research Station, located on Canyon Crest Drive. Those wishing to conduct their own research under faculty supervision may earn academic credit by enrolling in ENSC 197. Expenses for both laboratory and field experiments are eligible for funding by the campus mini-grant program which supports undergraduate research and creative activity.

California Teach-Science/Mathematics Initiative (CalTEACH-SMI) California Teach-Science Mathematics Initiative (CalTEACH-SMI) has a goal of addressing the critical need of highly qualified K-12 science and mathematics teachers in California. With an economy increasingly reliant on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the anticipated large scale retirement of qualified teachers, this is an essential time to explore and prepare for a career in teaching science or mathematics.

CalTEACH-SMI at UCR offers undergraduate students opportunities to explore STEM teaching as a career option. Through CalTEACH-SMI, students receive advising and mentoring to prepare for entrance into an intern teaching credential program while diligently coordinating with academic advisors to ensure completion of STEM degree requirements. The CalTEACH- SMI Resource Center provides future STEM teachers opportunities to promote planning and professional development towards a science/ mathematics education career.

For more information about the CalTEACH-SMI program, please visit smi.ucr.edu, the Resource Center at 1315 Pierce Hall, or on Facebook at facebook.com/ScienceMathInitiativeAtUcr.

Transfer Selection Criteria Applicants to majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences are selected on the basis of academic preparation, as assessed by their GPA and the strength of preparation for the intended major. A GPA of at least 2.70 is required. (This is a baseline GPA for consideration and not a guarantee of admission.)

In addition, applicants will need to complete college courses comparable to at least two of the following UCR year-long sequences in order to meet selection criteria for this major. Courses must be completed with “C-” grades or better:

MATH 007A or MATH 009A; MATH 007B or MATH 009B (mandatory)

And at least one sequence from:

• 1. BIOL 005A/BIOL 05LA or BIOL 020 and

BIOL 005B (and BIOL 005C, if articulated)

• 2. CHEM 001A, CHEM 01LA, CHEM 001B,

CHEM 01LB, CHEM 001C, and CHEM 01LC

• 3. Organic chemistry (one-year lower-division),

each course completed with a grade of “B” or better

• 4. PHYS 002A, PHYS 02LA, PHYS 002B,

PHYS 02LB PHYS 002C, and PHYS 02LC

• 5. PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B, and PHYS 040C

• 6. MATH 009C, MATH 010A, MATH 010B,

and MATH 046

Courses must be completed with a letter grade, with no grade lower than a “C-.” Students should visit assist.org for updated and compre- hensive major preparation requirements.

See Undergraduate Studies section.

See College of Natural and Agricultural Scienc- es, Colleges and Programs section.

Some of the following requirements for the major may also fulfill some of the College’s breadth requirements. Consult with a department advisor for course planning.

The major requirements for both the B.A. and the B.S. degrees in Environmental Sciences are as follows: Students must fulfill MATH 007A or MATH 009A or MATH 09HA; MATH 007B or MATH 009B or MATH 09HB; CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA, CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB, CHEM 001C or CHEM 01HC; BIOL 005A; BIOL 005B; BIOL 05LA or BIOL 020; ENSC 001, ENSC 002, ENSC 006, ENSC 100, ENSC 101, and ENSC 102 with a grade point average of 2.0 or better and no grade lower than a C-. If a grade lower than a C- is received in 2 or more core courses required for the major, either in separate courses or repetitions of the same course, the student may be discontinued from the major. Students must, under such circum- stances, petition the department to remain in the major. Students in Environmental Sciences are required to demonstrate adequate progress towards earning the degree. Adequate progress is defined as completion of MATH 009B or MATH 09HB or MATH 007B prior to the begin- ning of the Winter Quarter of the second year of residence or Junior standing (>90 units) and at least one course from ENSC 100, ENSC 101, or ENSC 102 must be completed prior to the end of the third year of residence or senior standing (>135 units).

Note To gain maximum benefit from participating in the Undergraduate Research and Environmental Internship Programs, students intending to enroll in ENSC 197 and ENSC 198-I should contact their advisor during the quarter prior to enroll- ment in these courses.

Core Requirements

• 1. Lower-division requirements (72 or 73 units)
• a) ENSC 001, ENSC 002, ENSC 006 or

ECON 006

• b) BIOL 005A, BIOL 05LA or BIOL 020,

BIOL 005B

• c) CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA, CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB, CHEM 001C or

CHEM 01HC, CHEM 01LA or CHEM 1HLA , CHEM 01LB or CHEM 1HLB, CHEM 01LC or CHEM 1HLC

• d) CHEM 008A and CHEM 08LA or CHEM 08HA and CHEM 08HLA; CHEM 008B

and CHEM 08LB or CHEM 08HB and CHEM 08HLB

• e) MATH 007A or MATH 009A or MATH 09HA; MATH 007B or MATH 009B or

MATH 09HB

• f) PHYS 002A or PHYS 02HA, PHYS 02LA

or PHYS 02HLA, PHYS 002B or PHYS 02HB, PHYS 02LB or PHYS 02HLB, PHYS 002C or PHYS 02HC, PHYS 02LC or PHYS 02HLC

• g) POSC 010

• 2. Upper-division requirements (24 units):

• a) ENSC 100, ENSC 101, ENSC 102,

ENSC 191

• b) STAT 100A and STAT 100B

Electives Students are free to choose from the lists below to fulfill their lower-division and upper-division elective requirements:

1.Lower-division electives (8 units):

At least two electives from BIOL 005C, CHEM 005, CHEM 008C and CHEM 08LC, CHEM 08HC and CHEM 08HLC, MATH 009C or MATH 09HC or MATH 010A, GEO 001 or GEO 002

• 2. Upper-division electives (20 units):

At least five electives from the following list, with a minimum of four from Environmental Sciences or Environmental Toxicology:

ENTX 101, ENTX 154, ENSC 103/ENTX 103, ENSC 104, ENSC 105, ENSC 107, ENSC 110, ENSC 120/NEM 120, ENSC 127, ENSC 130, ENSC 133/MCBL 133, ENSC 134/BPSC 134, ENSC 135/CHEM 135/ENTX 135, ENSC 136/CHEM 136, ENSC 138/GEO 138, ENSC 140, ENSC 141/MCBL 141, ENSC 144/ENVE 144, ENSC 153, ENSC 163, ENSC 165, ENSC 172, ENSC 174, ENSC 175, ENSC 177, ENSC 197, ENSC 198-I, BCH 100 or both BCH 110A or BCH 110HA and BCH 110B or BCH 110HB; BCH 110C or BCH 110HC or BIOL 107A; BIOL 102 or BIOL 121/ MCBL 121; BIOL 116, BIOL 121L/MCBL 121L, BPSC 104/BIOL 104, BPSC 165, BPSC 166, CBNS 150/ENTX 150, CHEM 109, GEO 157, GEO 160 Suggested courses of study are also provided below for specialized areas in environmental sci- ences to assist students to meet minimum em- ployment requirements for entry-level positions in government agencies, nongovernment organiza- tions (NGO), and environmental consulting firms. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule a meeting with a Faculty in their specialization area of interest for curriculum and career advice. A list of core Faculty in each specialization area is available at envisci.ucr.edu/undergrad.

Soil Sciences: Recommended to meet lowerdivision electives: BIOL 005C, GEO 001 or GEO 002, MATH 009C or MATH 09HC or MATH 010A; Recommended to meet upper-division electives: ENSC 104, ENSC 107, ENSC 110, ENSC 120, ENSC 127, ENSC 133/MCBL 133, ENSC 134/ BPSC 134, ENSC 138/GEO 138, ENSC 144, ENSC 175, ENSC 177

Hydrologic Sciences: Recommended to meet lower-division electives: MATH 009C or MATH 09HC or MATH 010A, GEO 001 or GEO 002; Recommended to meet upper- division electives: ENSC 105, ENSC 107, ENSC 110, ENSC 127, ENSC 136/CHEM 136, ENSC 140, ENSC 163, ENSC 165, ENSC 175, ENSC 177

Atmospheric Sciences: Recommended to meet lower-division electives: CHEM 005, CHEM 08C and CHEM 08LC, CHEM 08HC and CHEM 08HLC, MATH 009C or MATH 09HC or MATH 010A; Recommended to meet upper-division electives: ENSC 103/ENTX 103, ENSC 110, ENSC 130, ENSC 135/CHEM 135/ENTX 135, ENSC 136/CHEM 136, ENSC 175, ENSC 177, GEO 160

Environmental Toxicology: Recommended to meet lower-division electives: BIOL 005C, CHEM 005, CHEM 008C and CHEM 08LC or CHEM 08HC and CHEM 8HLC; Recommended to meet upper- division electives: ENTX 101 required + at least 3 electives from ENSC or ENTX: ENSC 103/ENTX 103, ENSC 110, ENSC 135/CHEM 135/ENTX 135, ENSC 136/CHEM 136, ENSC 177, CBNS 150/ENTX 150, ENTX 154, BCH 100 or both BCH 110A or BCH 110HA and BCH 110B or BCH 110HB, BIOL 102 or BIOL 121, BCH 110C or BCH 110HC or BIOL 107A

Environmental Management: Recommended to meet lower-division electives: BIOL 005C, GEO 001 or GEO 002, MATH 009C or MATH 09HC or MATH 010A; Recommended to meet upperdivision electives: ENSC 103/ ENTX 103, ENSC 110, ENSC 144, ENSC 153, ENSC 172, ENSC 174, ENSC 175, ENSC 177

The minor in Environmental Sciences consists of the following.

• 1. Lower-division requirements (23 units)

• a) ENSC 002, ENSC 006/ECON 006

• b) CHEM 001A, CHEM 001B, CHEM 001C, CHEM 01LA, CHEM 01LB,

CHEM 01LC

• 2. Upper-division requirements (20 units)

• a) ENSC 100, ENSC 101, ENSC 102

• b) Eight (8) units of additional upper-division

courses in Environmental Sciences, no more than 4 units of which are in courses numbered 190-198

Of the specified upper-division units, a minimum of 16 units must be unique to the minor and may not be used to satisfy major requirements.

See Minors under the College of Natural and Ag- ricultural Sciences in the Colleges and Programs section of this catalog for additional information on minors.

Subject abbreviation: ENSC College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Laosheng Wu, Ph.D., Director James O. Sickman, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor Antonio Knox, Student Services Advisor (800)735-0717 or (951)827-6746 envisci@ucr.edu envisci.ucr.edu

The Environmental Sciences Graduate Program offers the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environ- mental Sciences.

Advanced training in Environmental Sciences is becoming increasingly necessary to address complex problems involving natural resources and environmental quality. Although this task frequently requires specialized knowledge in vari- ous fields of science, it also requires understand- ing and integration of a wide variety of interact- ing physical, chemical, biological, and societal influences. This interaction makes graduate study in environmental sciences distinct from many other scientific fields.

We have designed our program to offer ad- vanced training in a number of specialized field areas within environmental sciences, operating within a single graduate degree program ad- ministered by the Department of Environmental Sciences. Students trained in the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program can fill many areas of expertise needed in the state and nation. Potential career opportunities exist at regulatory agencies, consulting firms, government and academic research institutions, and industrial research facilities.

Admission Entry to the program requires completion of a baccalaureate degree in a field appropriate as preparation for graduate study in environmental sciences. Students normally will come to the program from an environmental sciences related discipline such as atmospheric science, aquatic science, earth science, environmental chemistry, hydrology, or soil science; or a basic science such as biology, chemistry, or physics. Students may conduct research under the su- pervision of a sponsoring faculty member in any of the following field areas.

In addition to the following requirements, all applicants must meet the general requirements as set forth in this catalog under the Graduate Studies section.

Atmospheric Sciences The Atmospheric Sciences field area encom- passes diverse topics such as atmospheric chemistry and air quality, health effects of air pollution, drivers of radiative forcing and global warming, remote sensing of the atmosphere, and atmosphere-ocean interactions. Students will receive training in observing, modeling, and understanding atmospheric circulation and the fate of atmospheric chemical species. Much of the research being conducted addresses the societal impacts of air pollution and climate change.

Entrance requirements There are no entrance requirements for the Atmospheric Sciences area beyond the general requirements for admission to the ESGP. It is recommended that students have completed one year of chemistry, as well as courses in gen- eral physics, organic chemistry, calculus through integrals, and statistics. Students who have not completed courses required for their research may need to complete additional courses to remedy deficiencies.

Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology The Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology field area focuses on the sources, physical and chemical transformations, and removal process- es of chemicals in soil, water, and air, and their impacts on ecological systems.

Entrance Requirements There are no entrance requirements for the En- vironmental Chemistry area beyond the general requirements for admission to the ESGP. For Ecotoxicology, prospective students would be expected to have had courses in General Biol- ogy/Zoology and Organic Chemistry. Students who do not have sufficient background to take the core course or specific elective courses may, however, need to first take prerequisite courses.

Environmental Microbiology The Environmental Microbiology field area encompasses the study of microbial processes in natural and agricultural ecosystems and the effects of microorganisms on environmental processes and environmental quality. Research topics include fundamental research on microbial physiology, genetics, and ecology as related to the environment, applied research on microbial effects on the fate and transport of pollutants, anthropogenic effects on microbial communities, fate and transport of human pathogenic microor- ganisms in the environment, and the application of microorganisms and microbial assays as indicators of soil and water quality.

Entrance Requirements Students admitted to the Environmental Microbiology field area are expected to have a baccalaureate degree in biology, microbiolo- gy, or closely related field or demonstration of extensive background in biology and microbiol- ogy. Recommended prior course work includes chemistry (general, organic, and biochemistry), biology (general and advanced course work), microbiology (general), and statistics (general). Deficiencies in these areas must be remedied during the first year of graduate school.

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics and Policy The economics and policy field area is not cur- rently accepting new students. Students seeking advanced training in environmental and natural resource economics and policy should contact the Graduate Advisors in the Department of Economics and the School of Public Policy at UC Riverside for alternative programs of study.

Hydrologic Sciences The Hydrologic Sciences field area offers com- prehensive training in the understanding and quantification of physical and biogeochemical processes that govern movement, storage, and quality of water in the environment. Students can specialize in a variety of areas including catch- ment hydrology, ecohydrology, vadose zone and groundwater hydrology, hydrologic modeling, irrigation and water management in agricultural fields and urban landscapes, catchment biogeo- chemistry, contaminant fate and transport, earth surface processes, and related areas.

Entrance requirements There are no entrance requirements for the Hydrologic Sciences area beyond the general requirements for admission to the ESGP. It is recommended that students have completed one year of general chemistry, general physics, organic chemistry, calculus through differential equations, statistics, and physical geology or physical geography.

Soil and Water Sciences The Soil and Water Science field area offers comprehensive training in the chemistry, physics, biology, and ecology of soils, surface waters and wetlands. Students can specialize in a variety of areas, including soil and aquatic chemistry, limnology, soil-plant relations, biogeochemistry, bioremediation, geomicrobiology, contaminant fate and transport, water resources manage- ment, hillslope processes, soil genesis, soil min- eralogy and geomorphology, and related areas.

Entrance Requirements Admission to the Soil and Water Sciences field area requires a baccalaureate degree with preparation in both physical and life sciences. It is recommended that students have completed one year of general chemistry, as well as courses in general physics, organic chemistry, calculus through integrals, general biology, statistics, and physical geology or physical geography.

Environmental Sciences and Management The Environmental Sciences and Manage- ment field area is not currently accepting new students. Students seeking advanced training in environmental management and policy should contact the Graduate Advisors in the Depart- ment of Economics and the School of Public Policy at UC Riverside for alternative programs of study.

Course Work The Ph.D. and M.S. degree programs both require completion of the following courses.

• • Each student must complete ENSC 227.
• • Each student must complete either ENSC 200 or ENSC 232.

• • Each student must complete at least one

additional graduate-level, four-unit elective within or outside of the Department of Environmental Sciences.

Each student may complete additional upper- division undergraduate courses and/or graduate- level courses depending on the student’s field area and research focus.

Students with a M.S. objective may need to take additional courses to fulfill the requirements of the Plan I (Thesis) or Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) options. Upon acceptance to the program, the student will select an Advisory Committee made up of three members of the participating faculty in the ESGP to assist in the planning of the individualized curriculum. Electives are chosen in consultation with the Advisory Committee. Students are encouraged to attend a seminar each quarter (to be chosen in consultation with the major advisor). Students must complete 2 units of ENSC 401 (Professional Development in Environmental Sciences) within their first year of entering the ESGP. There is no foreign language requirement for the program.

The Department of Environmental Sciences offers the M.S. degree in Environmental Scienc- es under the Plan I (Thesis) and Plan II (Com- prehensive Examination) options. The general requirements for the M.S. degree are found in the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog. All students are required to give a pre- sentation annually at the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Student Symposium.

Plan I (Thesis) Plan I (Thesis) Students must complete a minimum of 36 quarter units of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses in, or significantly related to, Environmental Sciences. These must include the course requirements given above. At least 24 of the 36 units must be in graduate courses. A maximum of 12 of these units may be in graduate research for the thesis. No more than 4 units of ENSC 290 and 2 units of graduate seminar courses may be applied toward the degree. A thesis must be written and accepted by the M.S. thesis committee members, and a final oral defense of the thesis must be passed.

Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) Students must complete a minimum of 36 quarter units of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses in, or significantly related to, Environmental Sciences. These must include the course requirements given above. At least 18 units must be in graduate courses. Students may count no more than 2 units of graduate seminar courses and 6 units of graduate intern- ship courses toward the required 18 units and no units from graduate research for thesis or dissertation.

Students must take a comprehensive written ex- amination that covers fundamental topics in en- vironmental sciences. The written examination, which is three to four hours long, is prepared and evaluated by a committee appointed by the field director. The examination is taken during the latter part of the final quarter in the M.S. pro- gram. Students must wait at least eight weeks before retaking a failed examination. Students failing the examination twice are dismissed from the program.

Normative Time to Degree 2 years

The Department of Environmental Sciences of- fers the Ph.D. degree in Environmental Sciences. The general requirements for the Ph.D. degree are found in the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog.

Course Work Students must complete the course require- ments given above. All students are required to give a presentation annually at the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Student Sympo- sium.

Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination Following completion of all course work pre- scribed by the student’s Advisory Committee, a Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination will be prepared and administered to the student by a Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination Commit- tee. The Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination Committee will consist of at least three faculty members with interests in the student’s line of research. The purpose of this examination is to determine that the student has gained suffi- cient knowledge in the chosen field to perform professionally and competently. This exam may be attempted only twice. If this exam is failed twice, the student may be redirected to the M.S. degree if the student does not already hold an M.S. in Environmental Sciences or terminated from the program.

Ph.D. Oral Qualifying Examination A student who satisfactorily passes the Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination may proceed with the Ph.D. Oral Qualifying Examination, which will focus on the dissertation proposal. This examination is conducted before the Oral Qualifying Examination Committee, consisting of five faculty members, one of whom must be from outside the ESGP. This examination may be attempted only twice. If this exam is failed twice, the student will be redirected to the M.S. degree if the student does not already hold an M.S. in Environmental Sciences or terminated from the program. The Ph.D. Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations will normally be taken at the end of the second year of graduate study and before the start of the third year.

Dissertation All Ph.D. students must write a doctoral disser- tation, which must be read and accepted by all members of the Doctoral Dissertation Commit- tee, comprised of at least three faculty members from the ESGP. A final oral dissertation defense in front of at least three Doctoral Dissertation Committee members is required.

Relationship between Master’s and Doctor- al Programs The M.S. and Ph.D. programs are separate. Stu- dents who enter the Ph.D. program do not need to acquire a M.S. degree first, although students may elect to take both.

Normative Time to Degree 5 years