P.h.D. Program in Bio-Environmental Sciences

The Ph.D. Program in Bio-Environmental Science is a didactic and research-driven program with participating faculty from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The program resides within the Department of Biology, within the School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences and utilizes an integrated interdisciplinary approach that is designed to offer flexibility in areas of specialization and training to meet the changing Bio-Environmental needs of the nation and global community in the 21st Century. The Ph.D. in Bio-Environmental Science offers research opportunities and instruction in five general areas of concentrations: Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Science, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Health Sciences, and Environmental Biotechnology. The courses offered in the program are primarily for doctoral students, however, students enrolled in the Master’s degree programs may participate. For example, Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering majors can enroll in suitable 500 and 600 level Bio-Environmental Science graduate courses for credit toward their degrees. The student is responsible for making the necessary arrangements with an individual Bio-Environmental Science Graduate faculty member. The consent of the chairperson of the student’s major department is also required.

Goal

To produce highly skilled scientists who will apply knowledge derived from basic and applied research to address the multifaceted concerns of the Bio-Environmental science community in a changing global society.

Objectives

0. To provide graduate students with essential academic knowledge, research and practical skills needed for successful careers in Bio-Environmental science related jobs at various private institutions, government agencies, academia, and industry.
0. To train students on the interaction between various components/systems of the environment, and how to protect the health of humans in the changing environment.
0. To provide interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research training that address the understanding of the underlining mechanism by which physical, chemical, and biological agents cause alterations in ecosystem integrity and cause morbidity and mortality in man, animals, and other organisms, especially those of commercial value.
0. To develop cost-effective methodologies whereby the impact of various environmental pollutants and toxic substances may be prevented and/or controlled.
0. Establish partnerships with other research-intensive universities, government agencies, museums, international organizations and the private sector that will provide training and internships to facilitate applied research activity and future career opportunities.
0. To establish community outreach programs that provide awareness regarding the impact of physical, chemical, biological, and toxic agents generated by natural or anthropogenic events on human health.

Admission Policy

Admission to the Ph.D. program in Bio-Environmental Science is open to individuals holding a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in biology, chemistry, physics or related scientific disciplines. The applicant must have cumulative and science GPA’s of 3.0 and above. Each applicant is also required to take and demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical), and GRE Subject Test (biology, chemistry, or another science). These scores must be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies as part of the graduate application for admission. In selected cases, academically strong applicants may be admitted to the program with the provision that they take and demonstrate satisfactory performance on the GRE by the end of their first year in the program. In addition to the above requirements, International students whose undergraduate training was not conducted in the English language must have scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) directly sent to the School of Graduate Studies.

As part of the admissions process, all applicants to the program are required to have three letters of recommendation submitted from faculty who can critically evaluate the student’s personal character, academic performance, and potential to complete the program. An official transcript of undergraduate and when appropriate, graduate course work is also required.

Summary of Procedures for Doctoral Degree

• Admission as a potential degree candidate
• Appointment of doctoral committee
• Comprehensive Examinations
• Completion of Language Requirements
• Submission and approval of application for admission to candidacy
• Submission of application for diploma
• Payment of Graduate fees
• Submission of dissertation to doctoral committee
• Scheduling of Defense of Dissertation Examination
• Defense of Dissertation Examination Doctoral Committee
• Approval and Acceptance of final copy of dissertation and doctoral forms