Requirements for M.S. Degree in Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Each M.S. student will complete a minimum of 16 didactic course credits plus 1 credit ECS graduate seminar. The didactic credits must include at least 1 ECS core course and 1 ECS track course. A total of 30 credits are required for a M.S. degree in Environmental and Conservation Sciences.
Requirements for Ph.D. Degree in Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Each Ph.D. student will complete at least 27 credits of didactic courses plus the ECS graduate seminar for 1 credit. The didactic courses will include: 3 core courses (9 credits), a minimum of 15 credits from a chosen track, and 3 credits of electives from the other track or other NDSU courses numbered 601-689 or 700-789. The 15 track credits must be from at least 2 course categories. A total of 90 credits are required.
Core Courses and Tracks
CORE COURSES
CHOOSE FROM: |
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History of Environmental Science (HIST 634 or HIST 710) |
3 cr |
Rhetoric of Environmental Science (COMM 755) |
3 cr |
Environmental Law and Policy (ECS 770) |
3 cr |
Natural Resources Economics (ECON 681) |
3 cr |
Environmental Sociology (SOC 631) |
3 cr |
Ph.D. Core Courses Total |
9 cr |
Graduate Seminar (ECS 790) |
1 cr |
|
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CONSERVATION BIOLOGY TRACK Categories |
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Biodiversity |
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Ecology and Evolution |
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Human dimensions and Management |
|
Research Tools |
|
Track Total |
15 cr |
or |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRACK CATEGORIES |
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Water Sciences |
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Soil and Solid Waste |
|
Environmental Management |
|
Research Tools |
|
Track Total |
15 cr |
Please see the listing of courses in the ECS tracks (.pdf file).
Advisor and Committee
By the end of the first academic year, the student will select an academic adviser from among the ECS faculty, and arrange for the appointment of a Graduate Advisory Committee. A Graduate Advisory Committee will consist of at least four members of the NDSU graduate faculty. The Committee must include the student's adviser, two additional ECS faculty members, and an appointee of the Graduate School. One committee member must be from outside the student's academic college. The plan of study will be prepared by the student, in consultation with the major adviser, by the end of the first year in residence. The plan shall be approved by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee, the Environmental Science Steering Committee, the Department Chair, the Academic Dean, and the Graduate School Dean according to the regulations outlined in the NDSU Graduate Bulletin.
Examinations
- For the Ph.D., the written Preliminary Examination will cover the core areas for the ECS program and courses from the appropriate tracks. The preliminary examination will typically be taken in the middle of the third year. The written exam must be passed before the comprehensive oral examination can be scheduled.
- The comprehensive Oral Examination will be taken no later than the end of the third year in residence. The examination will cover the topic areas for the appropriate track.
Dissertation Research
A proposal describing research suitable for preparation of a dissertation in Environmental and Conservation Sciences will be prepared in the format of a NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant. Alternative formats must be agreed to by the Graduate Advisory Committee. The proposal will be submitted to the student's Graduate Advisory Committee for review and approval. The dissertation must show originality and demonstrate the student's capacity for independent research.
Follow the link to the NDSU Graduate School for information on requirements for graduate study at NDSU.
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