The Ph.D. Program in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
Program of Study:: Course Requirements :: The Guiding Committee
The Qualifying Examination :: Advancement to Candidacy
Normative Time to Degree :: The Dissertation
Program of Study
The program leading to the Ph.D. in ESPM consists of four interrelated components: disciplinary emphasis, an area of specialization, research methods, and breadth requirement. Within this framework a program of course work is developed by the Guiding committee in conjunction with the student and approved by the Graduate advisor to meet the needs and interests of the student and to provide preparation for the qualifying examination and the research program.
Four Fields of Emphasis1. Disciplinary Emphasis. The disciplinary emphasis is the broadest academic area encompassing the student’s interests. Currently the three disciplinary emphases within the department are Ecosystem Sciences, Organisms & Environment, and Society & Environment. The program of 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 context of the disciplinary emphasis. Some examples of these areas might be: Microbial Community Ecology, Ecosystem Function, American Environmental History And 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 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. In addition, while in residence, doctoral students in the natural sciences must complete one additional course in the application of social sciences to environmental problems, and those in the social sciences must complete one additional course in the biological or physical sciences. The level of the course will be determined by the Guiding committee, 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 must be taken for a letter grade unless it is 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)
• ESPM 201C: Environmental Forum (1 unit)
• ESPM 201S: Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Colloquium (1 unit)
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 will ordinarily be chaired by the student's major professor, whose interests relate closely to those of the student, and will be comprised of faculty whose interests represent the specific fields of emphasis for the program. If appropriate, a fourth faculty member may be asked to serve on the committee.
The purpose of the guiding committee is to counsel the student throughout the period of study leading to the Oral Qualifying Examination. The specific functions of the Committee are: (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 determine the foreign language proficiency (if required), and (d) to recommend a specific academic program. The Guiding Committee is expected to meet annually with each doctoral student until the Oral Qualifying Examination.
Qualifying Examination
The purpose of the 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, which ordinarily consists of a member of the departmental faculty as chairperson, at least one other member of the department, and at least one member from a separate department in the university. 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 of the field in the program of study. Questions will probe in depth and will test the student's ability to integrate the various elements the student of the program of study. During the first part of the qualifying exam (approximately 30 minutes) the student will present and discuss his/her intended dissertation research project. The exam is usually between two and three hours in length.
Advancement to Candidacy
Ph.D. students should apply for candidacy within three months of completing 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. The advancement to candidacy form should be filed no later than the end of the semester following the one in which the student passed the qualifying examination.
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, the student must 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 instructions of the Graduate Division.