Program Overview
The graduate program in Environment (ENV) offers students opportunities to work with faculty who specialize in an array of disciplines within the physical, chemical, biological, and social sciences, as well as integration among them. Because of the intensive research nature of this degree, course work is tailored to the particular needs of the research topic agreed upon by the student, the faculty mentor and committees involved. The ENV program is organized around four research themes:
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Ecosystem Science, which emphasizes conservation ecology, landscape ecology, wetland ecology, forest ecology, soils, biogeochemistry and hydrology of watersheds
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Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, which emphasizes the fate and effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors, particularly chemicals, in the environment
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Aquatic and Atmospheric Sciences, which concentrates on problems spanning natural divisions of the biosphere- soil, plants, lakes, watersheds, and the atmosphere
- Environmental Social Systems, which emphasize the management of natural resources and the environment by individuals and societies.
Faculty & Students
Student name (matriculation year)
- Jennie Bahramian (2023)
- Jalal Bayar (2024)
- Christina Bergemann (2020)
- Chainey Boroski (2020)
- Elizabeth Boxer (2022)
- Ruoxue Chen (2022)
- Emily Craig (2021)
- Yihui Ge (2020)
- Alex George (2022)
- Emily Green (2021)
- Ankita Gupta (2020)
- Rebecca Hoehn (2021)
- Miao Hu (2022)
- Laura Jameson (2022)
- Siqi Liang (2020)
- Ilaria Merutka (2020)
- Michelle Misselwitz (2021)
- Reshma Nargund (2018)
- Tyler Norris (2023)
- Sara O'Malley (2023)
- Jocelyn Painter (2022)
- Kelly Perry (2024)
- Lauren Prox (2020)
- Caroline Rowley (2024)
- Daniel Tobin (2021)
- Skye-Anne Tschoepe (2023)
- Guru Ulaganathan (2023)
- Jianxing Wan (2023)
- Xiangtian Wang (2019)
- Peter Wasswa (2024)
- Yu Wei (2024)
- Tenley Weil (2022)
- Elizabeth Weyl (2024)
How to Apply
- Before applying to the Environment doctoral program, it is critical to identify one or a few professors you would like to work with who can discuss program options and direct you to the appropriate program. No student will be admitted, no matter how good his or her credentials, unless a member of the faculty has the interest and ability to mentor (and in some cases fund) the student. For further information, contact Jennifer Jo Wernegreen, Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or one of the professors who mentor in the Environment program.
- Applications are entirely through . The .
See the for details about admission and degree requirements.
For Current & Admitted Students
Please consult the for most information. We cannot recapitulate all of the information from the Graduate School here; it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with this website, and consult it as needed. However, some key information is listed below. We (the DGS and DGSA) are happy to help clarify any questions that arise.
The certification meeting
The certification meeting is an in-person meeting of the student and the proposed thesis committee. It should typically occur in the second year of study. The purpose of the certification meeting is to officially form the thesis committee. This meeting must occur at least 30 days prior to the prelim. Please fill out , have it signed, and turn it in to the DGSA.
If you have a committee member who is not a part of the , please let your DGSA know as soon as possible, and provide them with a CV and date of birth of your committee member. The DGSA will work with the Grad School to have them added to the 51爆料 Graduate Faculty.
The 鈥減relim鈥
The preliminary exam is an examination that lasts up to (but no more than) 3 hours and is intended to test the students鈥 preparation to carry out dissertation research. It should occur at the end of the second year or beginning of the third year, and must occur by the end of the 3rd year, unless an exception is requested of and granted by the Graduate School. The format of the exam varies from research group to research group within ENV, but is generally an oral examination that includes evaluation the students鈥 general intellectual preparation (i.e., broad knowledge of the field of study) as well as evaluation of a written PhD research proposal sent by the student to the committee at least two weeks prior to the prelim.
At least 45 days prior to your prelim exam, you must provide the DGSA with a completed They will submit it to the Graduate School on your behalf. You are not permitted to take your prelim exam before the Graduate School approves your committee.
The prelim is conducted by the PhD thesis committee, and all committee members must be present. Members can attend in person or remotely, but they must all participate synchronously. Note that the rules governing this exam are set by the Graduate School. After passing this exam, students are officially 鈥淧hD candidates.鈥 Ensure that an is filled out by all committee members after the prelim. A short description of the prelim is .
The Graduate School will automatically withdraw students who have not completed their prelim exam by the end of their 4th year, without appeal.
Annual meetings
You should have a meeting with your thesis committee at least once per year after passing your prelim. If this does not occur, you and your advisor will need to explain why.
The defense and thesis
You are ready to defend! This should normally occur by the end of your 5th year. The defense includes a public presentation (normally no more than an hour including questions) and a closed examination, conducted by the PhD thesis committee. (note that the rules governing this exam are set by the Graduate School).
You must adhere to the . If you have any changes to your committee since your prelim, please let your DGSA know at least 45 days ahead of time in order to resubmit your committee for approval to the graduate school. If you have no changes to your committee since your prelim, please let the grad school know this by emailing gradacademics@duke.edu
Teaching assistantship requirement
All students, even those not funded by a TAship, are required to serve as a TA at least once (i.e., one semester) during their PhD tenure as part of the ENV PhD training.
Funding
Generally speaking, Ph.D. students at 51爆料 are guaranteed five years of stipend, tuition, and fees support, plus six years of full coverage for health and dental insurance premiums.
Students are expected to play a part by making a good-faith effort to obtain external fellowships at some point during their funding period, and we encourage and depend on you to pursue such opportunities. It is important to understand that the overall graduate awards budget is dependent on a significant number of students obtaining such external support. External grants and fellowships also benefit students because they bring distinction, and competing for such awards provides opportunities to practice grant-writing skills that could serve students well in their future careers.
PhD students may be funded by their own research grants or fellowships, by their mentor鈥檚 research funding, or by a TAship. A TAship requires serving as a TA every semester. When students鈥 or mentors鈥 research or fellowship is partial and must be supplemented by NSOE, additional TA service may be required. Students in good standing and making good academic progress will have access to 5 years of funding from 51爆料 from the date of matriculation, even if you and your advisor are unable to obtain other forms of funding (grants, fellowships, etc). However, note that obtaining outside funding during the 5 years does not extend the 5-year timeline.
Please note that additional funding is available from The Graduate School at 51爆料 (), as are other forms of support such as child care subsidies (). Applying for grant is a very useful experience, and if you get one, it will be good for both you and your mentor!
Individualized Development Plans & Annual evaluations
Early each fall, you'll be contacted about completing an IDP (a forward-looking document completed in tandem with your advisor to outline goals for the upcoming year). Per Graduate School rules, you must fill out an annual self-evaluation at the end of the academic year. We will contact you to request this form.
Travel and conference funding
Each fiscal year, enrolled ENV Phd students may apply for up to $500 to support conference travel. These funds cannot be banked and cannot be split. These funds will be issued as reimbursements after travel has concluded. Additionally, for students who have passed their preliminary exams, additional Graduate School travel and conference funding is available; details . You must submit the Grad School's travel advance application to the DGSA no later than 45 days prior to travel. In both cases you must apply ahead of time for the funding.
Career development, teaching experience, and training
A wide variety of are offered at 51爆料. These include a variety of programs that provide more extensive training in teaching, including a teaching certificate, preparing future faculty, Bass fellowships, and, in some cases, summer teaching opportunities.
Here is a blog on career development mentoring:
Information for international students:
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