Graduate Field
Natural Resources and the Environment
Program Description
Students develop transdisciplinary knowledge, research and practical skills necessary to manage natural resources and the environment.
The Ph.D. program emphasizes research and requires a dissertation. Students often obtain the M.S. degree before entering the Ph.D. program.
In collaboration with their faculty advisor and graduate committee members, students design a graduate program that addresses their individual interests. Students may conduct research in the U.S. or internationally and have access to excellent laboratory and field facilities.
The Ph.D. program in natural resources and the environment is designed to enable students to meet their research and professional goals. Students work with faculty advisors to identify courses and to define a research or professional project. To be admitted to the Ph.D. program, the student must identify a faculty member who expresses interest in supervising them prior to admission. Therefore, it is critical that prospective Ph.D. students correspond with potential faculty advisors during the application process.
Concentrations
- Applied ecology
- Community-based natural resources management
- Conservation biology
- Ecosystem biology and biogeochemistry
- Fishery and aquatic science
- Forest science
- Human dimensions of natural resources management
- Policy and institutional analysis
- Program development and evaluation
- Quantitative ecology
- Risk analysis and management
- Wildlife science
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 6
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second Year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam): Before seventh semester begins
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): Before the fourteenth semester and two semesters after the A Exam
Field Specific Milestones
- Special Committee requires four members
- Field progress review conducted first year
- Masters Exam (M Exam): Before fourth year; a Non-Thesis Masters may be conferred
- Public seminar presented within the semester of the B Exam
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students.
Graduate School Enrollment Requirements
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students each semester through graduation. These courses include:
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Learning Outcomes
Candidates for a Ph.D degree in Natural Resources and the Environment demonstrate a broad based knowledge in Natural Resources Management and a mastery of knowledge in one of the field’s sub-disciplines. Furthermore, Ph.D candidates demonstrate an ability to create new knowledge, and make an original and substantial contribution in a focal sub-discipline in an appropriate timeframe.
Ph.D Degree Proficiencies
- Demonstrate broad-based knowledge in the discipline of natural resources management.
- Make an original and substantive research contribution to one of the subdisciplines represented by concentrations in the field of natural resources:
- Think originally and independently to develop new knowledge, concepts and methods in this sub-discipline.
- Identify new research questions in this sub-discipline. - Demonstrate advanced research skills:
- Be knowledgeable of historical developments in natural resource management and able to articulate, discuss, and synthesize concepts and evidence in a subdiscipline within this field.
- Master observational, experimental and analytical methods required for executing research.
- Interpret and evaluate research findings.
- Demonstrate ability to communicate research findings, through oral presentation and written publications.
- Demonstrate ability to write proposals for fellowships and research funding. - Develop teaching and professional skills:
- Be effective in educating others about natural resources management and affiliated subdisciplines.
- Be able to evaluate contributions made by others to natural resource management and affiliated subdisciplines.
- Develop collaborative skills.
- Show commitment to professional development.
- Be involved in departmental and university organizations.
- Be involved in outreach activities.
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall, December 1; Spring, November 1.
Requirements Summary
- All Graduate School requirements, including the English language proficiency requirement for all applicants
- Three letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vita (CV)
- A faculty member must sponsor your application for review by the Admissions Committee. Therefore, it is important that you correspond with and obtain sponsorship from a faculty advisor during the application process.
Admissions Contact Information
Email: nregrad@cornell.edu
Website: https://cals.cornell.edu/natural-resources-environment/degrees-programs/graduate
