Program Overview

Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering (Interdisciplinary)

The University of Texas at El Paso provides an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE). The mission of UTEP's ESE program is to prepare the next generation of leading environmental problem solvers. The program includes more than 100 participating faculty from 12 academic departments and research centers housed within six colleges.

Admission Requirements

• Students with a Bachelor's or graduate (Master's or above) degree in a discipline related to environmental science and engineering.
• General Graduate school requirements.
• GPA 3.5 or higher.
• Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
• Two letters of reference from individuals qualified to judge the applicant's capacity to conduct doctoral-level research.
• Statement of purpose outlining motivations for joining the program and how the program will benefit career goals.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) is requested.

Degree Requirements

Specific course requirements for each student will be determined by the student's Doctoral Advisory Committee. However, each student must complete a total of at least 60 hours if they are accepted with an undergraduate degree and 36 hours if they are accepted having completed a master's degree in a related field.

• Students may be required by their Committee to complete leveling courses prior to starting ESE coursework; leveling courses are not considered part of the degree plan and credits from these courses do not count towards the degree.
• With the approval of the ESE Director, students entering the program with a master's degree or relevant graduate level courses on an official transcript can transfer up to 24 semester hours to advance standing toward their PhD degree.
• At least 24 hours of organized graduate-level coursework (including research hours) are required within the 60 hours counted towards completion of the doctoral degree.
• The balance of the 30 semester hours of organized coursework will be fulfilled by a selection of elective courses.
• Enrollment of the candidate in research and dissertation courses will complete the remainder of the program requirements.

Organized Coursework

Organized coursework must include the core classes listed below. A grade of 'B' or better must be obtained in classes qualifying for organized coursework.

• All students must complete a minimum of two (2) hours of ESE 6107 to fulfill the requirements of the degree.
• Up to four (4) additional hours of ESE 6107 may be taken as elective hours if approved.
• Students who have not reached candidacy are required to enroll in ESE 6107 (ESE Seminar) during the fall and spring semesters.
• At least two dissertation classes (ESE 6398/6399) must be completed following candidacy and may not be taken in the same semester.

Doctoral Candidacy Requirements

For a student to pass to candidacy and prior to enrolling in Dissertation classes (ESE 6398/6399), the following must be completed:

• All course requirements except for the completion of Dissertation (ESE 6398/6399).
• The committee meets with the student at least once prior to the proposal defense.
• Students submit a written copy of their research proposal to the ESE Coordinator and their committee at least two weeks prior to their advertised proposal defense.
• The proposal must be defended in an oral presentation advertised by the ESE Coordinator and delivered by the student to a public audience.
• A student's milestone agreement and Independent Development Plan must be current.
• All necessary forms required by the graduate school must be completed.

Dissertation

The dissertation must demonstrate a student's capacity to perform independent and original research focused on a significant problem in Environmental Science and Engineering that includes elements considered publishable in peer-reviewed literature relevant to the field of study.

• Students should enroll in ESE 6398 during the first term of dissertation and ESE 6399 each term thereafter.
• To graduate, the following must be completed:
  • All degree requirements must be completed within eight years as required by the Graduate School.
  • An electronic copy of the dissertation as well as an abstract that is less than 350 words must be submitted to the Graduate School for format checking prior to the scheduled defense date.
  • Students must submit a copy of their written dissertation and dissertation abstract to the ESE Coordinator and their committee at least two weeks prior to their dissertation defense.
  • The doctoral candidate must successfully defend their dissertation before a public audience and their Doctoral Advisory Committee.

Curriculum

Semester-Hour Requirements

• ESE Core Courses: 8
• Elective Courses: 22
• Research: 24
• Dissertation (must be taken over 2 or more semesters): 6
• Total Hours: 60

Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering

Required Credits: 60

• Required Courses:
  • ESE 6307: Interdisciplin Envir Prob Solv (3 hours)
  • Quantitative/Methodology (3 hours)
  • Select one of the following:
    • BIOL 6328: Biostatistics
    • CE 6332: Mod Methods/Engr Computation
    • EDAD 6323: Educational Research Methods
    • SOCI 6312: Grad Stats for Social Science
    • SOCI 6322: Qualitative Sociology
  • A Core Course from the Data Science or Computational Science doctoral programs
  • Other quantitative or methodology course with ESE Director approval
• Graduate Seminar:
  • ESE 6107: Graduate Seminar (Complete two semesters) (2 hours)
• Elective Courses: 22 hours
  • Select 22 hours from organized classes offered in at least two graduate, preferably doctoral programs offered at UTEP
• Doctoral Research:
  • ESE 6396: Doctoral Research
• Thesis:
  • ESE 6398 and ESE 6399: Dissertation and Dissertation (6 hours)
• Total Hours: 60