The M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs offer concentrations in pollution prevention and control; fate and effects of pollutants; exposure assessment (Ph.D. only); and environmental toxicology (Ph.D. only). The Ph.D. option in exposure assessment is offered jointly with the graduate program in public health and in conjunction with the Department of Environmental and Community Medicine at UMDNJ-RWJMS. Please note that Atmospheric Sciences is now a separate graduate program. Within these options, the following areas of specialization are offered: air pollution and resources; aquatic biology; aquatic chemistry; aquatic toxicology; assessment; chemistry and physics of aerosol and hydrosol systems; environmental chemistry; environmental microbiology; environmental prediction; surface and groundwater pollution modeling; human exposure; industrial hygiene; occupational health; pesticide residue chemistry; soil chemistry; soil microbiology; soil physics; solid and hazardous wastes; water and wastewater treatment; and water resources.
The backgrounds of successful applicants vary greatly. All are expected to have earned an undergraduate degree in a science or an engineering discipline with appropriate background in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Accepted applicants who lack any of the above requirements may be required to correct this deficiency.
The M.S. program offers two plans: (1) 24 credits of course work, 6 credits of research, and a comprehensive oral examination that includes defense of a thesis; or (2) 30 credits of course work, submission of an acceptable critical essay, and a comprehensive oral examination.
The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the bachelor's degree, with 36 of those credits taken in course work and 24 as research credits. The remaining 12 credits may be in either courses or research. In addition, candidates must complete successfully and defend a research dissertation.
The qualifying exam includes both written and oral parts. Following admission to candidacy, students must submit a formal research proposal to their dissertation committee. One year's residence, defined as full-time status for one academic year consisting of two consecutive terms, normally is required. There is no foreign language requirement.
