Professors: Hanley (Chair and Graduate Director), Hill, Kirilenko, Laguette, Romsdahl, Seielstad and Zhang

Program Description

The graduate program in Earth System Science and Policy is organized around the field of environmental sustainability and offers three degrees: Master of Environmental Management, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. Sustainability science has emerged as an intellectually exciting, growing discipline that is a driving concept for major international scientific and envhgggggggironmental policy efforts. By bridging theory with practice, global and local perspectives, and scientific and social disciplines, sustainability science seeks to meet the needs of society while sustaining the life support systems of the planet. The mission of the ESSP graduate program is toprovide an integrated and creative learning environment that fosters intellectual growth, critical thinking, and practical engagement in research and management of the Earth system and resources. The ESSP program is a thematic one, emphasizing practical experience, student-centered learning, integration of knowledge across traditional disciplinary boundaries, and active dialogue both in and outside the classroom.

To achieve the ESSP program’s mission, we target specific goals in the area of sustainability science and Earth System Science and Policy. The strategies are linked by a set of organizing principles that are essential to all program activities. These include:

1. Excellence in learning. In order to represent the full complexity of nature and sustainability science, crucial elements of the program’s learning objectives include: a student-structured curriculum, a multi-disciplinary teaching approach, and experiential learning environments.
2. Excellence in discovery. Research within the program is driven by societal needs and values and occurs within an Earth System Science paradigm, in which the Earth is treated as a single system that cannot be understood by summing the features of its component parts.
   
3. Excellence in engagement. Through its outreach and service activities, one of the chief aims of the program is to put knowledge to work creating new opportunities that advance society, solve scientific and social problems related to Earth System Science, and empower citizens to make informed decisions about their environment.

Given the broad mission statement and organizing principles of the Earth System Science and Policy program, program goals specifying learning outcomes for graduates of the program include:

1. A breadth of knowledge in Earth System Science and Policy and the ability to apply that knowledge to address societal-driven sustainability science research.
   
2. A strong foundation in basic science, applications-driven science, geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing, environmental policy, and statistics.
   
3. Valuable hands-on experiences and the ability to conduct experimental work needed to substantiate theoretical developments.
   
4. Written and oral communication skills that will facilitate the presentation of ideas to peers and the public.
   
5. The ability to function within multidisciplinary teams to accomplish goals of interest to the group.
   
6. Skills and experience using cutting-edge computer technology to solve complex research and applications problems.
   
7. An awareness of issues of scale associated with environmental sustainability and Earth System Science and Policy, i.e., spatial, temporal, impact, etc., and possess a broad sense of ethical and professional responsibilities.
   
8. An awareness and preparation for a lifetime of learning.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements of the University of North Dakota Graduate School, students must fulfill the requirements below for admission to Earth System Science and Policy graduate degree programs.

Master of Environmental Management (MEM)
and Master of Science (MS)

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of college-level algebra plus 3 credits of college statistics or calculus.
   
3. MEM: Have completed a minimum of 6 semester credits in the natural sciences AND 6 semester credits in social sciences, e.g., economics, sociology, psychology, political science, anthropology/archeology, or related fields.
   MS: Have completed a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in natural or physical sciences, e.g. physics, chemistry, geosciences, biology or related sciences.
   
4. Have earned a minimum average GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, on all upper division college-level coursework.
   
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
   

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

1. Hold a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
   
2. Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of college-level algebra plus 3 credits of college statistics or calculus, AND a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in natural or physical sciences, e.g., physics, chemistry, geosciences, biology or related sciences, AND 6 semester credits in social sciences, e.g., economics, geography, environmental studies, sociology, psychology, anthropology, archeology, political science or related fields.
   
3. Have earned a minimum average GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale on all graduate-level coursework.
   
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.

Financial Assistance

Graduate assistantships may be available to qualified students.

Degree Requirements

The overarching goal of all the degree programs offered in Earth System Science and Policy is to facilitate the acquisition of skills required to solve environmental problems or to seize opportunities presented by a changing environment. Much of the responsibility for learning rests upon the student.

Students enrolled in the MEM, MS, and (in most cases) PhD degree programs will all take the sequences ESSP501, 501R, 501L (offered in the Fall) and 502, 502R, 502L (offered in the Spring). All students will complete the basic two-semester core sequence of courses during their first year of study. Thereafter, the course selection will vary according to the degree sought and the specific interest of the student. Each student’s academic advisory committee will help design a customized curriculum.

Master of Environmental Management (MEM)

The Master of Environmental Management is a professional degree for those who seek careers as environmental policymakers. Graduates of the MEM program will have a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of environmental and natural resource management, acquired through practical experience in an internship. A final written and oral report of the project completed must be submitted.

A minimum of 36 credits, including six to nine credits for internship is required. ESSP MEM students must file with the Graduate School an approved program of study before the completion of fifteen credits of coursework, maintain a GPA of 3.00, and comply with the requirements of the graduate school. Grades of “C” or poorer will not be accepted as fulfilling degree requirements.

All students must take oral and written examinations to qualify for candidacy in the MEM program. These will occur no later than the end of the first year of coursework and will entail a 5 to 10 page written description and an oral presentation of their intended internship project. All exams will be administered and evaluated by the student’s Advisory Committee. MEM students must fulfill all requirements outlined by the Graduate School for a master’s degree. In place of a thesis, they must submit a comprehensive written report of their internship with an appropriate organization. The written report will be in the form of an Independent Study Report, following the guidelines and procedures for such a report set by the Graduate School. In addition, students shall make a final oral presentation to an audience from the ESSP program, stakeholders affected by their project, and relevant professionals.

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science in ESSP is designed to accommodate a large range of research interests, all of which must be multi-disciplinary. Those who are highly focused in a particular discipline are encouraged to seek graduate opportunities in that discipline. Requirements for an MS degree will culminate in submission and defense of a thesis.

A minimum of 36 credits beyond the baccalaureate is required, including six to nine credits for thesis. By the end of the first semester the student will select a chair of her/his Advisory Committee and, in consultation with that chair, recommend membership on the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will have 3 members, at least one of whom must be from the ESSP faculty. If the student is pursuing a minor concurrently with the MS in ESSP, one of the committee members will be from the department of the minor.

ESSP MS students must file with the Graduate School an approved program of study before the completion of fifteen credits of coursework, maintain a GPA of 3.00, and comply with the requirements of the graduate school. Grades of “C” or poorer will not be accepted as fulfilling degree requirements.

All students must take oral and written examinations to qualify for candidacy in the Master of Science program. These will occur no later than the end of the first year of coursework and will entail a 5 to 10 page written description and an oral presentation of their intended research project. Successful completion, and oral defense, of a thesis is required for the MS degree. All exams will be administered and evaluated by the student’s Advisory Committee.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD in Earth System Science and Policy is intended to prepare innovative researchers and problem-solvers for the public and private sectors, as much as for academia. Its core requirement is an original contribution, presented in final form as a dissertation, that assesses, mitigates, manages, remediates, or prevents a significant environmental problem of the present and the future. The program is multi-disciplinary and practical in nature, involving faculty from various disciplines and institutions, from public or private research laboratories, and stakeholders.

A minimum of 90 credits (30 of which must be taken in the Earth System Science and Policy Program) beyond the baccalaureate, including acceptable master’s degree work and up to 18 credits for dissertation, is required for the PhD degree. All PhD students will be required to spend a minimum of two semesters, full-time, on the UND campus after receiving a master’s degree.

By the end of the first semester in the doctoral program, the student will select a chair of her/his Advisory Committee. By the end of the second semester, the student will select membership of the Advisory Committee, in consultation with the chair. The Advisory Committee will have at least five members, at least three of which must be from the ESSP faculty. One of the committee members will be appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. That member will be from outside the ESSP Department. The committee will assist the student in course selection and definition of a research topic and will also administer and evaluate all examinations that are required for completion of the degree.

ESSP PhD students must file with the Graduate School an approved program of study by the end of their second semester, complete at least six credits of the approved program per academic year, maintain a GPA of at least 3.00 with no grades below “B”, and comply with the requirements of the graduate school. Any student whose GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on probation and will have one semester to raise the GPA to 3.00 or above.

All students must take a qualifying exam to advance to candidacy in the PhD program. Part of the written requirement requires all students to write a dissertation proposal in a style appropriate for submission to a funding organization or agency. Students will present their proposal for review no later than two years from the date of admission to the ESSP doctoral program. To be advanced to candidacy the PhD student will also take a qualifying exam, which will be administered early in the student’s second year. Successful completion, and oral defense, of a dissertation is also required for the PhD degree. All exams will be administered and evaluated by the student’s Advisory Committee.

Courses

501. Earth System Science and Policy I. 5 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP. Corequisites: ESSP 501R, 501L. An overview of the fundamental issues from five research areas: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning; Climate and Environmental Change; Land and Resource Management; Environmental Policy, Management, and Communication; and Human Health and the Environment. Material will be presented “situationally” in a problem-based learning environment. ESSP faculty and guest lecturers will present background information relevant to the topics. Students are expected to engage actively in the learning process by 1) determining what further information they need to understand the problem, 2) researching the questions, 3) clearly and concisely presenting the findings of their research to one another.

501R. Earth System Science and Policy Recitation. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP. Corequisites: ESSP 501, 501L. Small group discussions to include many parties to an environmental issue.

501L. Earth System Science and Policy Laboratory I. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP. Corequisites: ESSP 501, 501R. Laboratory session. Will require one or more full day field trips; may require one or more weekend field trips.

502. Earth System Science and Policy II. 5 credits. Prerequisites: ESSP 501, 501R, 501L. Corequisites: ESSP 502R, ESSP 502L. Course follows the design of ESSP 501 but with more emphasis on written reports and team projects. At the beginning of the semester, students will either select or be assigned a topic for an interdisciplinary team project for completion by the end of the semester. The team project helps students acquire an interdisciplinary outlook, and fosters communication and cooperation within a positive multi-disciplinary work environment. This will provide students with skills that are integral to the management of complex environmental problems they will face in the world beyond academia.

502R. Earth System Science and Policy Recitation II. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ESSP 501, 501R, 501L. Corequisites: ESSP 502, 502L. Small group discussion.

502L. Earth System Science and Policy Laboratory II. 2 credits. Prerequisites: ESSP 501, 501R, 501L. Corequisites: ESSP 502, 502R. Laboratory session.

506. Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature in a Market Society. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Analyzes the services and goods provided by natural and human-made ecosystems with a primary focus on the agroecosystems and grasslands of the northern Great Plains. Explores the scientific framework of ecosystem services, their disruption or disturbance, economic and ecological values, methods of analyzing these values, and policy implications.

520. Earth Systems Modeling. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP, or consent of instructor. Introduction to statistical and deterministic approaches for modeling earth systems, including use of modeling to support management and policymaking. Develops systems thinking skills and emphasizes modeling as a framework for environmental analysis and problem solving. Students will learn how different classes and scales of models are used to explore different type of environmental questions. Emphasis will be on the dynamic, interdependent and interactive relationships between human activities and ecosystem function and structure as well as the effects of these activities on biogeochemical cycles, energy flow, and biodiversity. Students will use these analyses to evaluate opportunities to shift toward more sustainable human behavior.

540. Advanced Topics in Geospatial Technologies. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. The course’s intent is to stay abreast of technological developments in a rapidly evolving field. Course contents will vary according to where the advances have the most immediate impact. The goal is to provide students exposure and hands-on experience needed to apply technologies to significant Earth System problems. Among technologies to be discussed are sensors for satellites and aircraft, data acquisition and image processing tools, verification and validation techniques, precision navigation by Global Positioning Satellites, and advanced uses of Geographic Information Systems.

562. Environmental Economics, Policy and Management. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Examines the principles of economics, natural resource limitations and management, and the role of science in public policy decision-makingwith the intent of preserving Earth’s vital life-support systems while meeting human needs and aspirations. Through case studies, guest speakers, and personal experience, studies how science does or does not inform environmental policymaking. Students apply economic theory and analysis to evaluate environmental problems and policies and apply ecological principles to shape economic policy. Particular emphasis will be on wetland habitats and agroecosystems.

570. Communicating Environmental Information. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. The focus of this class is on communication of scientific information to non-science audiences. Students will 1) probe the role of communication in the public perceptions of environmental issues, 2) examine the effectiveness of different tools in raising environmental awareness, 3) explore the barriers that hinder effective communication and subsequent motivation to action, and 4) profile a variety of environmental outreach activities. Ways to convert polarization among differing parties into consensus by communicating accurate, timely information will be explored.

590. Colloquium Series. 1 credit. Speaker series, approximately weekly, on timely topics and research. An emphasis will be to hear from outside speakers. Speakers may occasionally deliver presentations electronically. Graduate students in ESSP are expected to attend.

594. Directed Study. 1-5 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of an ESSP faculty member who agrees to serve as supervisor. Directed reading or investigations tailored to the needs of individual students for advanced knowledge in specific areas. Typically requires weekly meetings with the assigned faculty member. Usually culminates in a paper on the specific topical area. Doctoral candidates may repeat once.

596. Doctoral Research. 1-15 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP, or consent of instructor. Arranged with student’s advisory committee. May be repeated for credit.

597. Internship. 3-9 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP. Practical experience for ESSP students in a professional environment.

599. Special Topics. 1-6 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP, or consent of instructor. Topics of current interest. May be provided by program or visiting ESSP faculty. May be repeated for credit.

997. Independent Study. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Approval by student’s advisor of written proposal describing internship to be completed. Independent study and preparation of written and oral reports describing internships.

998. Thesis. 3-9 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in ESSP. Academic credit for thesis research that has been approved in advance by a student’s advisory committee. May be repeated, but no more than 9 credits will be allowed in a masters degree program.

999. Dissertation. 3-18 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Academic credit for doctoral dissertation research that has been approved in advance by a student’s advisory committee. May be repeated but no more than 18 credits will be allowed in the degree program.