The Ph.D. in Environmental Health Science requires a minimum of 55 credit hours and prepares students for senior-level positions in professions related to environmental health science in its broadest sense. The program trains students to become leaders in biological research relevant to environmental issues that directly and/or indirectly affect human health, and the program trains students to convey information effectively to the public. Students acquire an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental health issues from ecosystem to molecular levels. Students learn relevant research skills and conduct research under the guidance of one or more faculty members in the department.

For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit a Curriculum Vitae and a personal statement that includes educational background, professional activities, research interests, career goals, reasons for choosing the program, and UNC Greensboro faculty whose research is of interest.

Degree Program Requirements

Required: 55 credit hours

The departmental Graduate Studies Committee determines the number of non-dissertation credits required based on a student’s prior course work. No more than 25% of total credits (exclusive of dissertation) may be at the 500 level.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Core Courses (17 credits)
BIO 600	Introduction to Graduate Studies	1
BIO 707	Seminar in Environmental Health Science	2
BIO 708	Biostatistics 1 1	3
BIO 731	Environmental Health Science I: Ecosystems to Individuals	3
BIO 732	Environmental Health Science II: Individuals to Molecules	3
BIO 734	Current Research in Environmental Health Science 2	3
BIO 749	Research Lab Rotations 3	2
Electives (9 credits)
Select a minimum of 9 credits of elective courses 4		9
Research and Dissertation (29 credits)
Select a minimum of 29 credits from the following:		29
BIO 790	Directed Study in Environmental Health Science
BIO 791	Independent Doctoral Research
BIO 799	Dissertation 5
Total Credit Hours		55

¹

Students, with the approval of the departmental Graduate Studies Committee, research advisor, and/or Dissertation Committee, may replace BIO 708 with STA 661 Advanced Statistics in the Behavioral and Biological Sciences I. 

²

3 credits total of BIO 734 are required.

³

2 credits total of BIO 749 are required.

⁴

Students, with the approval of the departmental Graduate Studies Committee, research advisor, and/or Dissertation Committee, will select additional courses that pertain to their area of research to fulfill their degree requirements. A minimum of 9 credits of Biology courses at the 500-700 level must be earned and a maximum of 6 credits can be at the 500 level.

⁵

A minimum of 12 credits in BIO 799 is required and a maximum of 18 credits is allowed.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of a written research proposal that must be orally defended in a public seminar and before a student’s dissertation committee. Successful completion and defense of the proposal allows the student to achieve candidate status, and thus, register for BIO 791 Independent Doctoral Research and BIO 799 Dissertation.

Dissertation Defense

Students must present a seminar that is open to the public and satisfactorily defend their completed dissertation research to her/his dissertation committee.

Required Milestones*

• Residency (Immersion)
• Plan of Study
• Research Competency
• Comprehensive Exam (Written & Oral)
• Dissertation Proposal
• Admission to Candidacy
• Dissertation Defense
• Filing the Approved Dissertation

*

General information about milestones for doctoral programs is available in Section III of the Graduate Policies page in the University Catalog. For information about how milestones are accomplished for a specific program, please refer to the doctoral program's handbook.