Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability PhD

PhD in Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability

Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability is an interdisciplinary doctoral program that trains researchers to address complex environmental challenges through innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches. Our program combines rigorous scientific training with policy relevance, preparing graduates for leadership roles in research, academia, government agencies, and private sector organizations.

This comprehensive doctoral program emphasizes the integration of earth sciences, climate change, ecology, conservation biology, social sciences, and engineering to develop solutions for pressing environmental problems facing society today and in the future.

Five Specialized Emphasis Areas

Students can focus their doctoral studies in one of five emphasis areas, each designed to provide deep expertise while maintaining interdisciplinary connections:

1. 🌍 Earth Systems

Focus Areas:

Geosciences and earth system processes
Energy resources and extraction
Natural resources exploration and management
Water resources and hydrogeology
Natural hazards assessment and mitigation

Typical Coursework:

Graduate-level GLG (Geology) prefix courses
Advanced geophysics and geochemistry
Earth system modeling and analysis
Structural geology and tectonics
Hydrogeology and groundwater systems

2. 🌡️ Climate & Environmental Change

Focus Areas:

Climate variability and long-term climate change
Ecosystem impacts of environmental change
Natural resource management under changing conditions
Climate adaptation and mitigation strategies
Paleoclimate reconstruction and analysis

Typical Coursework:

Graduate-level EES (Earth and Environmental Sciences), ENV (Environmental), BIO (Biology), and FOR (Forestry) prefix courses
Climate system dynamics
Paleoclimatology and proxy development
Ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry
Environmental modeling and prediction

3. 🌱 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology

Focus Areas:

Ecological processes and ecosystem functioning
Evolutionary biology and population genetics
Conservation biology and biodiversity protection
Landscape ecology and habitat connectivity
Species responses to environmental change

Typical Coursework:

Graduate-level EES, ENV, BIO, and FOR prefix courses
Advanced ecology and evolution
Conservation biology principles
Population and community ecology
Molecular ecology and phylogenetics

4. 🏛️ Environment & Society

Focus Areas:

Environmental policy analysis and development
Sustainability science and practice
Natural resource governance and management
Environmental justice and equity
Human-environment interactions

Typical Coursework:

Graduate-level EES and ENV prefix courses
Environmental policy and law
Resource economics and valuation
Social-ecological systems analysis
Environmental justice and ethics

5. ⚙️ Engineering Sustainable Systems

Focus Areas:

Sustainable development and design
Environmental engineering processes
Renewable energy systems
Green infrastructure and technology
Life cycle assessment and sustainability metrics

Typical Coursework:

Graduate-level CENE (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and ME (Mechanical Engineering) prefix courses
Environmental engineering principles
Sustainable systems design
Renewable energy technologies
Environmental impact assessment

Curriculum Structure and Requirements

Core Requirements (30 Total Course Units)

Required Courses for All Students:

ENV 555: Environmental Science/Policy Interface - Integration of scientific knowledge with policy applications
EES 605: Regional Topics in Earth/Environmental Science - Southwest-focused environmental issues
EES 606: Research Methods - Advanced research methodologies and statistical analysis

Professional Experience (6 Units):

Teaching experience through assistantships
Internships with government agencies or private organizations
Outreach and public engagement activities
Professional conference participation and presentation

Seminar Courses (2 Required):

Participation in departmental research seminars
Presentation of research progress and findings
Engagement with visiting scholars and researchers

Dissertation Research (15 Units):

Independent research under faculty supervision
Original contribution to scientific knowledge
Development of research and analytical skills

Additional Requirements:

Comprehensive Examination - Written and oral exams covering area of specialization
Dissertation Proposal Defense - Formal presentation and approval of research plan
Dissertation Defense - Final oral examination and approval of completed research

Research Excellence and Faculty Mentorship

World-Class Faculty

Our doctoral students work with internationally recognized faculty who are leaders in their fields:

Active research programs funded by NSF, NASA, EPA, USGS, and other major agencies
Publication in top-tier scientific journals
Collaboration with national and international research institutions
Strong commitment to graduate student mentoring and success

Research Infrastructure

State-of-the-art analytical laboratories and instrumentation
Advanced computing facilities for modeling and data analysis
Extensive field research sites across the Southwest
Partnerships with government agencies and research institutions

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Cross-emphasis area research opportunities
Participation in university-wide research centers and institutes
Collaboration with faculty across multiple departments
Integration of diverse methodological approaches

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is a critical milestone in the doctoral program, typically completed by the end of the second year:

Written Examination:

Comprehensive coverage of student’s chosen emphasis area
Integration of knowledge across multiple disciplines
Critical analysis of current research questions and methodologies
Development of novel research approaches and hypotheses

Oral Examination:

Defense of written examination responses
Discussion of research interests and career goals
Evaluation of readiness for independent doctoral research
Feedback and guidance from examining committee

Dissertation Research

The dissertation represents the culmination of doctoral training and must constitute an original contribution to scientific knowledge:

Research Standards:

Address significant questions in earth sciences or environmental sustainability
Employ rigorous scientific methodologies
Generate new knowledge or novel approaches to existing problems
Have implications for theory, policy, or management practice

Expected Outcomes:

Multiple publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Presentation at national and international conferences
Development of expertise in specialized research area
Preparation for independent research career

Funding Opportunities

We are committed to providing comprehensive financial support for our doctoral students:

Research Assistantships (RA)

Annual stipend: $20,000 - $27,000
Work on faculty research projects funded by external grants
Gain experience with proposal writing and project management
Develop skills in research design and implementation

Teaching Assistantships (TA)

Annual stipend: $20,000 - $27,000
Assist with undergraduate courses in earth sciences and environmental studies
Develop teaching and mentoring skills
Gain classroom and laboratory instruction experience

Additional Benefits:

Full tuition waiver included with all assistantships
Health insurance coverage provided
Conference travel support for research presentations
Research funding for dissertation projects and fieldwork
Professional development opportunities and training

Presidential Fellowship Program

Select students may be eligible for the prestigious Presidential Fellowship, which provides:

Enhanced stipend support beyond standard assistantships
Recognition as outstanding doctoral students
Additional professional development opportunities
Reduced teaching or research obligations to focus on dissertation

Career Outcomes and Professional Preparation

Our PhD graduates are prepared for diverse career paths in academia, government, and private sector:

Academic Careers (40-50%)

University Faculty Positions - Research universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges
Postdoctoral Research - Leading research institutions and national laboratories
Research Scientist Positions - Universities, institutes, and research organizations

Government Research Agencies (25-30%)

Federal Agencies - USGS, EPA, NOAA, NASA, National Park Service, Forest Service
National Laboratories - Los Alamos, Sandia, Lawrence Berkeley, Pacific Northwest
State and Local Agencies - Environmental departments, natural resource agencies

Private Sector R&D (15-20%)

Environmental Consulting - Senior scientist and project management roles
Energy Industry - Research and development positions
Technology Companies - Environmental monitoring and analysis
Non-profit Research Organizations - Applied research and policy analysis

Policy and Leadership Roles (10-15%)

Environmental Policy - Government agencies and non-profit organizations
International Organizations - UN agencies, World Bank, international NGOs
Science Communication - Bridging research and public understanding

Application Requirements and Process

Application Deadline: January 1st

Required Application Materials:

Online Application - Submit through NAU Graduate Studies
Statement of Interests and Goals - Detailed description of research interests and career objectives (2-3 pages)
Unofficial Transcripts - From all previous colleges and universities
Faculty Advisor Contact Information - Identify potential faculty mentors you have contacted
Three Letters of Recommendation - From academic or professional references familiar with your research potential
CV or Resume - Academic and professional experience
GRE Scores - General test (may be waived for qualified applicants)

Before You Apply: Critical Steps for Success

1. Identify and Contact Potential Faculty Advisors

This is essential for admission success. Prospective students should:

Thoroughly research faculty profiles and recent publications
Identify 2-3 faculty members whose research aligns with your interests
Email potential advisors 6-12 months before the application deadline
Request informational interviews to discuss research opportunities
Ask about current funding availability and lab capacity

2. Develop Research Focus and Questions

Read recent publications in your area of interest
Identify gaps in current knowledge and potential research contributions
Develop preliminary research questions and approaches
Consider how your research interests align with program strengths

3. Prepare for Long-term Commitment

Understand the 4-6 year timeline for PhD completion
Consider financial implications and funding strategies
Evaluate career goals and how the PhD will support them
Prepare for the intellectual and personal challenges of doctoral study

Application Strategy and Tips

Crafting a Compelling Application:

Be specific about your research interests and how they align with faculty expertise
Demonstrate preparation through research experience, publications, or relevant coursework
Show commitment to environmental problem-solving and interdisciplinary approaches
Articulate clear career goals and how the program will help achieve them

Statement of Interests and Goals:

Connect your background and experiences to your research interests
Identify specific faculty you want to work with and explain why
Describe your long-term career goals and how the PhD will prepare you
Demonstrate knowledge of current research questions and approaches in your field
Show understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of environmental challenges

Program Contact Information

General Program Information:

Email: SES.Admin@nau.edu
Phone: 928-523-9333
Location: Room A108, Building 11, Ashurst, Flagstaff, AZ 86011

For Faculty Information:

Visit our Faculty Profiles to learn about individual research programs
Review current Graduate Research Opportunities for available positions

Why Choose NAU’s Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability PhD?

🔬 Research Excellence

Faculty publish in top-tier journals (Nature, Science, PNAS, etc.)
Strong record of external funding from major agencies
Cutting-edge research facilities and instrumentation
Collaborative research environment across disciplines

🏔️ Unique Location

Access to diverse Southwest ecosystems and geological formations
Proximity to major environmental challenges and research sites
Partnerships with regional agencies and organizations
Field research opportunities year-round

🤝 Collaborative Environment

Small program size ensures personalized attention
Strong peer mentoring and support networks
Regular interaction with faculty and visiting researchers
Integration across emphasis areas and research themes

🌟 Professional Development

Comprehensive training in research methods and analysis
Teaching and communication skills development
Conference presentation and publication opportunities
Preparation for diverse career paths

🌍 Real-World Impact

Research that addresses pressing environmental challenges
Policy-relevant findings and applications
Community engagement and outreach opportunities
Training to become environmental leaders and problem-solvers

Ready to Begin Your Doctoral Journey?

Next Steps:

Explore Faculty Research - Thoroughly review faculty profiles and recent publications
Contact Potential Mentors - Reach out to discuss research opportunities well in advance
Prepare Application Materials - Gather all components and craft compelling statements
Submit Application - Complete online application by January 1st deadline

Questions About the Program?

Contact our graduate program coordinators at SES.Admin@nau.edu or 928-523-9333 for more information about the Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability PhD program.

Apply to NAU

The PhD in Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability prepares the next generation of environmental researchers and leaders through rigorous interdisciplinary training, cutting-edge research opportunities, and comprehensive professional development.