Students in the Environmental Science program may pursue studies leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Their programs of study involve coursework representing four knowledge and skill areas:
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materials — the physicochemical nature of solid and fluid Earth materials;
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processes — physical, chemical and biological processes affecting the transport and fate of materials in environmental systems;
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systems — the dynamics of environmental systems wherein materials and processes are coupled over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales; and
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quantitative foundations — understanding and modeling uncertainty in environmental systems, notably as this pertains to science and engineering applications.
The Environmental Science curriculum also involves a novel capstone course, team taught by faculty from participating departments, aimed at exposing students to a topic of international significance requiring application and synthesis of multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills.
*Note: The focus of the spring 2009 capstone course is Bangladesh!
Degree tracks within the Environmental Science program include:
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M.S. with thesis — 24 credit hours of coursework and acceptance of a written thesis;
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M.S. without thesis — 30 credit hours of coursework; and
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Ph.D. — a minimum of 39 credit hours of coursework, passage of the comprehensive examination, passage of the Ph.D. qualifying examination, and acceptance and defense of a written dissertation; 72 total credit hours are required, including coursework, transfer credit (when appropriate) and dissertation research.
In addition:
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Students have flexibility in choosing from a menu of courses in consultation with their Academic Advisory Committees, insuring balance among the four knowledge and skill areas listed above.
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Directed Study research credit hours (up to 3 credit hours for M.S. degrees, 6 credit hours for Ph.D. degrees) may be included to meet the appropriate required total(s).
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Students with a Masters degree from Vanderbilt are typically allowed to count Vanderbilt graduate credit hours toward the required total(s) subject to the approval of their Academic Advisory Committees; students entering with a Masters degree from another institution must complete a minimum of 24 course credit hours at Vanderbilt.
