Environmental Science

Andrew Rupiper
The graduate program in Environmental Science offers advanced education and research opportunities in the interdisciplinary study of environmental systems, sustainability, and conservation. This program prepares students for careers in environmental research, policy-making, consulting, education, and advocacy by providing a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and solutions.
Program Homepage Program Handbook

There is strong world demand for scientists, technologists, and engineers with multi-disciplinary training to confront the need for a healthy environment as the global human ecological footprint expands. Whether you are already part of the expanding world of environmental science or are thinking of steering your career toward this exciting, interdisciplinary field, our program will serve your needs. Our students receive top scientific training and diverse professional development opportunities from internationally recognized faculty in world-class facilites. Our graduates are qualified to pursue careers in industry, higher education, and government agencies. We hope you will consider Iowa State University for your graduate studies in environmental science.


Degrees Offered:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)

 

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 5.1 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: 2.3 years (Methods)

Lynette Edsall

enscigrad@iastate.edu
515.294.1191

Learning Goals

  • An ability to identify and develop research problems
  • The capacity to think critically and solve problems
  • An ability to provide a critical review of relevant literature/studies in environmental science that are central to their studies
  • Proficiency in data analysis (e.g., data mining, data synthesis)
  • An aptitude to quantitatively assess and interpret a wide-range of environmental data
  • An ability to effectively communicate research problems and research findings in oral and written forms to both the scientific and lay communities

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2025) 105

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

December 15 for priority Fellowship consideration. NOTE: from fall 2024 on, please choose ONLY the Environmental Science Graduate Major when you apply. Environmental Science is a direct-admit graduate program, where students are admitted into the lab of a major professor as well as into the ENSCI program. As such it is imperative that prospective students identify a potential professor before applying to the program. Applicants should review our faculty directory to identify research faculty working in areas that align with their interests and goals. Once relevant faculty members have been identified, applicants should contact those faculty directly to inquire about open graduate positions and funding opportunities for their planned term of entry. Only applicants that contact faculty, apply for the program and are then nominated by a faculty member will be considered for admission to the program.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions