The NRESS Ph.D. Program draws on the university's strengths in environmental and earth sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and ethical and policy studies.
- To increase our understanding of environmental and natural resource problems and solutions at local, regional, and global scales;
- To provide the opportunity for graduate students to pursue interdisciplinary research on the environment;
- To stimulate excellence in research and teaching through increased contact between students and faculty in different departments and colleges.
Programs of Study
Students from numerous foreign countries and the U.S. study in a broad range of disciplines, from environmental science and natural resources to earth science, oceanography, atmospheric science, related social sciences and ethical and policy studies. Students with wide ranging traditional and non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Most applicants enter the program with a master's degree. Applicants who do not have a master’s degree are considered based on academic merit and significant work and/or research experience.
Students choose the degree that best suits their area of study. Formal requirements for the two degrees are identical. Areas of study include, but are not limited to ecosystem science, biogeochemical cycling from local to global scales, geochemical systems, atmospheric science, geologic science including hydrology and oceanography, marine science, social science, ethical and policy issues, and multidisciplinary natural resources management. The breadth of research within the program is evident in the dissertation titles of NRESS program graduates and current students.
Faculty Advisors
The applicant must identify a potential advisor who will commit to accepting her/him as a doctoral student if the candidate is admitted to the NRESS program. Upon securing a potential faculty advisor, applicants should indicate this in their application and/or via email to the NRESS Program Coordinator to ensure that the application materials are forwarded to the appropriate faculty member(s).
Application Process
You can apply for the NRESS program through the UNH Graduate School. Specific application requirements and deadlines are available on the Earth and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. and Natural Resources and the Environment Ph.D. program pages.
"Interdisciplinary research was an important part of my graduate work, and it was one of the key reasons I chose to study at UNH. My advisors supported and encouraged my interest in branching out from the earth sciences to work with biologists, economists, and engineers. Of all the skills I gained during my PhD, I expect that the ability to reach across disciplines will be one of the most valuable as I move forward in my science career.”
—Danielle Grogan, NRESS '16G
