The Ph.D. Program in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
The ESPM Ph.D. program incorporates two general approaches: 1) broadly based interdisciplinary education, and 2) disciplinary education in relevant fields supplemented with exposure to cross-disciplinary communication and problem solving.
Program of Study:: Course Requirements :: The Guiding Committee
The Qualifying Examination :: Advancement to Candidacy
Final Report :: Annual Review :: Normative Time to Degree
The Dissertation:: Filing Fee :: Lapsing Candidacy
Program of Study
The Ph.D. program consists of four interrelated components: disciplinary emphasis, an area of specialization, research methods, and breadth requirement. The course work program is developed by the Guiding Committee in conjunction with the student’s needs and interests and approved by the Graduate Advisor to assure that it provides preparation for the qualifying examination and the research program.
1. Disciplinary Emphasis. The disciplinary emphasis focuses on the broadest academic area from ESPM’s three divisions-- Ecosystem Sciences, Organisms & Environment, Society & Environment—that encompasses the student’s interests. A student pursuing a strongly interdisciplinary program may include in-depth study of more than one of these disciplines.
2. Area of Specialization. The area of specialization is a narrower field within the disciplinary emphasis. Some examples might be: Microbial Community Ecology, Ecosystem Function, American Environmental History & Policy, International Forest Management, Biogeochemistry, Mediterranean Grassland Ecosystems, Remote Sensing, and Forest Management
3. Research Methods. Candidates for the Ph.D. must demonstrate competence in research techniques appropriate for both the disciplinary emphasis and area of specialization. Preparation in this field must include experimental design, sampling design, estimation, and hypothesis testing.
4. Breadth Requirement. Each student’s program must include course work addressing human and ecosystem processes and the relationship between them. All students must complete the required core courses listed below. While in residence, doctoral students in the natural sciences must also complete one additional course in the application of social science to environmental problems; doctoral students in the social sciences must complete one additional course in the biological or physical sciences. The Guiding Committee will determine the level of the additional course based on the student’s background and experience. The course must be a minimum of two graduate units or three upper division undergraduate units and taken for a letter grade unless offered on an S/U or P/F basis only.
Course Requirements
Each doctoral student in ESPM will be required to take three core courses.
• ESPM 201A: Research Approaches in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (3 units). Taken the first fall semester by new doctoral students.
• ESPM 201C: Environmental Forum (seminar, 1 unit) To be completed or in progress at the time the Ph.D. oral qualifying exam is held.
• ESPM 201S: Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Colloquium (1 unit). Must be taken prior to the oral qualifying exam. ESPM 201S may be repeated for credit.
Doctoral students will also be required to complete a minimum of 6 units in their Area of Specialization. The Guiding Committee and the student’s Graduate Advisor will approve the selection of appropriate courses to meet this requirement.
Doctoral students are strongly encouraged to present the results of their research in an appropriate seminar setting in ESPM, the College of Natural Resources, or a closely related department on campus.
The Guiding Committee
The Graduate Advisor in consultation with the student establishes the three-member Guiding Committee early in the first semester of study. The Guiding Committee is usually chaired by the student's major professor, whose interests closely relate to those of the student. Other committee members are faculty whose interests represent the specific fields of emphasis for the student’s program. If appropriate, a fourth faculty member may also serve on the committee. Students should obtain a Ph.D. Guiding Committee form from Graduate Student Services, complete the form, and return it after committee members have been selected.
The Guiding Committee’s role is to counsel the student throughout the period of study leading to the Oral Qualifying Examination. The specific functions of the Committee: (a) to help define the disciplinary emphasis which will best serve the student's academic interests, (b) to review the student's program proposals, (c) to recommend a specific academic program. The Guiding Committee should meet annually with each doctoral student until the Oral Qualifying Examination is held. At the time of the annual meeting, the student’s Ph.D. Program Form should be filled out. This form records core requirements and the student’s proposed courses and kept in the student’s file.
Qualifying Examination
The purpose of the qualifying exam is to ascertain the breadth of a student’s knowledge and preparation. The examination is conducted by a four-member committee appointed by the Graduate Division. A member of the ESPM faculty serves as chairperson; at least one other member of ESPM and one UC Academic Senate member from a separate department in the university are also on the committee. The Guiding Professor may attend the exam but may not serve on the committee or participate in its deliberations.
The student is expected to demonstrate a broad knowledge in the program of study. In-depth questions will test the student's ability to integrate the various elements of the program. During the first part of the exam (approximately 30 minutes) the student will present and discuss his/her intended dissertation research project. The qualifying exam is usually between two and three hours in length.
Advancement to Candidacy
Ph.D. students should use the Application for Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree (from Graduate Division web site or Student Affairs Office) to apply for candidacy within three months of passing the qualifying examination. A dissertation title and proposed committee must be submitted for approval at the time of advancement to candidacy. In consultation with the Guiding Professor, the student will select a dissertation title and identify at least two additional dissertation committee members. One of these must be a member of the Berkeley Academic Senate from outside ESPM. Obtain the necessary signatures and bring the form to the Student Affairs Office. The form should be filed no later than the end of the semester following the one in which the student passed the qualifying examination.
Final Report
The Graduate Division sends us the Final Report for each doctoral student after the student is advanced to candidacy. We certify that all course work and other requirements have been completed and keep the Final Report in the student’s file.
Annual Review of Doctoral Candidates
The Graduate Division requires that all doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy meet annually with at least two members of the Dissertation Committee. The student states on the Annual Review Form what progress he/she has made toward the degree and what remains to be completed. A copy of the Annual Review Form should be sent to the Graduate Division Director of Academic Affairs; original is kept in the student’s file.
Normative Time to Degree
Normative Time is the calendar time, in semesters, recognized by the Graduate Division as the length of time normally needed for completion of the doctoral degree. Normative Time for the ESPM program has been set at ten semesters and is calculated for each student from the first semester of enrollment as a graduate student. As of September 2003, following successful completion of the Qualifying Exams, graduate students with parenting demands will be granted an extension of up to one extra year toward Normative Time completion. Extensions for parent considerations cannot exceed two years overall, no matter the number of children involved.
The Dissertation
The dissertation is an extensive, original work based on the student’s independent research. In developing the dissertation problem, keep in mind that each member of the Dissertation Committee is required to make an independent evaluation of the quality and adequacy of the work. Though working most closely with the chairperson, the candidate is responsible for keeping the other members of the committee fully informed as to the nature and progress of the research. The Graduate Division requires an annual written report on progress to the degree, signed by the student and at least two members of the Dissertation Committee.
The final draft of the dissertation must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the Graduate Division instructions. (see: Preparing and Filing Your Dissertation)
Filing Fee
Filing Fee status is used in lieu of registration for the semester in which you either file your dissertation or thesis, or take a comprehensive exam. Filing Fee puts you on withdrawal status, which means you are not allowed to use University facilities. The amount of the Filing Fee is one-half of the University Registration Fee. The deadline to apply for Filing Fee is the last day of the first week of instruction for the semester you wish to file. Filing Fee period lasts until the last day of the semester. For more information, see Graduate Division web site, Frequently Asked Questions.
Lapsing of Candidacy
Candidacy for the doctorate is of limited duration. When students are advanced to candidacy, the Graduate Division informs them of the number of semesters that they are eligible to be candidates, based on their major’s Normative Time. Lapsing is a probationary status, usually lasting two years, for students who are not completing the final degree requirements at an adequate rate. The Head Graduate Adviser may request an extension of a student’s candidacy if the student is otherwise making adequate progress and if the delay can be attributed to factors largely beyond the student’s control.