http://www.uwgb.edu/esp/

Program Overview

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Environmental Science and Policy program is appropriate for students with interests in the scientific and/or public policy aspects of contemporary environmental challenges. It provides a course of study that prepares its graduates for positions in scientific, technical and administrative organizations and agencies. The program’s core focuses on identification and analysis of environmental issues and on developing interdisciplinary approaches and solutions to problems. The program offers four areas of emphasis with both thesis and non-thesis options: Ecosystems Studies, Environmental Technology and Analysis, Environmental Policy and Administration, and a Personal Program of Study.

Although the areas of emphasis seek to integrate the sciences with policy and administration, students choose to specialize in one area depending on future career interests. Each area of emphasis has a practical orientation that involves the student in real world problems and issues rather than presenting theoretical knowledge alone. Each area of emphasis allows for and encourages student flexibility in designing a particular program of study around a core of required courses. A personal program of study, as described below, may also be developed.

The program fits the needs of both part-time and full-time students, and can be completed following either a thesis or non-thesis degree plan. Many graduate courses are offered once weekly in the evening or at other times convenient for working individuals. Students benefit from the mix of perspectives and experiences held by participants in courses. Full-time students gain from the practical knowledge of the working professionals, who are in turn challenged by the current theoretical knowledge of those with recent undergraduate degrees. Students like the small class sizes and the close association with faculty. Fully prepared students usually complete the program in two years. Part-time students normally complete the program in three to five years.

The program features faculty that are widely published in the professional literature, active in externally funded research, and committed to excellence in teaching. The faculty associated with the program firmly believe that environmental policy must be based on good science but also that science is ineffective without sound policy decisions. Close ties exist with national, state and local agencies, providing students with opportunities to become engaged with and contribute to meaningful scientific research and policy formulation.

The University offers modern and well-equipped facilities that support research and study in environmental science and policy areas. Office and laboratory computers throughout campus enable access to advanced geographic information system (GIS), statistical and modeling software tools. Field sites available for research include five University-managed natural areas and a permanent UW-Green Bay forest research site in northern Wisconsin (Wabikon Forest Dynamics Plot) managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Earth Observatory Network. UW-Green Bay researchers have established successful ongoing collaborations with regional government agencies and conservation organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Parks Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, NEW Water (formerly Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District), as well as regional businesses and industries. The library collection is strong in all areas of environmental studies but is particularly so in environmental policy and administration. The library provides easy access to most pertinent journals in science and public policy and administration. Interlibrary loans are easily available from UW-Madison and elsewhere when sources are not available locally.

Admission Requirements

Each student’s prior academic background is evaluated by a program admissions committee when he or she applies. Admission to the Environmental Science and Policy graduate program requires a student to have completed the equivalent of a basic undergraduate course in statistics and submitted current GRE general test scores. Students with a background in both policy and science will be given preference in admission decisions.

Each area of emphasis (Ecosystems Studies, Environmental Technology and Analysis, and Public Policy and Administration) requires different skills and preparation; therefore, additional prerequisites vary. Courses appropriate to the area of emphasis or needed to meet requisites of specific courses that a student wishes to incorporate into a plan of study will also be required.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be admitted if their academic record, letters of reference, and GRE scores indicate potential for successful completion of the program. However, these students will have additional requirements placed upon them as part of their academic plan to make up any deficiencies.

Degree Requirements

Students who are adequately prepared when they enter the program may earn the degree by satisfactorily completing a minimum of 28 credits of course work, plus the credit and non-credit requirements for thesis and non-thesis plans. Those who lack appropriate prerequisites may need to take additional courses to strengthen their backgrounds. Credits earned in undergraduate courses cannot be applied toward the graduate degree.

Credit requirements are determined by the student’s chosen area of emphasis.  All students must complete 18 credits of General Core Requirements, with remaining credits obtained from approved electives listed within each of the three official emphases, or from the development of an individual program plan with the assistance and approval of their graduate thesis committees, the ES&P Program Chair, and the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies.

Thesis Requirements

During the first or second semester, students should select a thesis adviser, form a committee and start to develop a thesis proposal with the committee’s assistance. By the time students complete 21 credits, they should have completed their thesis proposals. Approval of the thesis proposal places the student in candidacy for the degree. Successful defense of the written thesis and completion of all courses in the student’s program plan result in awarding of the degree.

Non-Thesis Requirements

During the second semester for full time students, or upon completion of nine graduate credits for part-time students, non-thesis students should enroll in ES&P 762: Project Proposal. Over the course of the semester, student in this course prepare and finalize their official project proposals. In the spring semester during which the project will be completed, non-thesis students enroll in ENV S&P 768: Project Defense, where they will provide a public presentation of their project and submit a final project product. Non-thesis students are also required to successfully pass a cumulative programmatic Written Examination.  

General Core Requirements

All students matriculated into the Environmental Science and Policy program are required to successfully complete the following set of required core courses (12 credits). Students pursuing the Thesis plan must also complete a minimum of 6 credits of ENV S&P 799 while those students enrolled within the non-thesis option must complete ENV S&P 762 and ENV S&P 768.

General Core Courses		4
ENV S&P 701	Perspectives in Environmental Science and Policy
ENV S&P 763	Global Environmental Change & Sustainability
Choose one of the following repeatable courses (2 credits)		2
ENV S&P 715	Seminar in Ecology and Evolution
or ENV S&P 795	Special Topics
Environmental Science		3
ENV S&P 740	Ecology and Management of Ecosystems
or ENV S&P 767	Environmental Technology and Analysis
Public Policy		3
ENV S&P 713	Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
or ENV S&P 752	Environmental Policy and Administration
Thesis Or Non-Thesis Plans		6
ENV S&P 799	Thesis
or ENV S&P 762   & ENV S&P 768	Project Proposal    and Project Defense
Emphasis Requirements		16
Select at least 16 credits unduplicated by the program core.
Total Credits		34

Area of Emphasis Requirements

In addition to the general core requirements described above, students will select a program of study from one of the areas of emphasis described below. A fourth option is to develop a “personal program of study” more fitting to the career interest of the student.

Area of emphasis courses (credits are unduplicated by the program core):

• Ecosystems Studies, 16 credits
• Environmental Technology and Analysis, 16 credits
• Environmental Policy and Administration, 16 credits
• Personal Program of Study, 16 credits minimum

Some undergraduate courses are cross-listed as graduate courses and require only graduate status to enroll. It is strongly recommended that a student speak with the professor assigned to the course prior to enrolling to ensure that the student is adequately prepared to succeed in the course.

Personal programs of study must conform to Environmental Science and Policy program guidelines and be approved in advance  by the student’s graduate committee, the Environmental Science and Policy program chair, and the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies. These programs must include the entire 18-credit program core requirements, at least one 3-4 credit quantitative course ENV S&P 755 or ENV S&P 760 and include a minimum of 34 total credits.

It is possible, even necessary depending on area requirements, that students will include one or two four-credit statistics courses in their academic program. In those cases, only seven credits would be needed in one semester which could be satisfied by ENV S&P 715 or ENV S&P 795, or an independent study or internship. If a regular course is selected, the academic program would include a total of 36 credits.

Ecosystems Studies (16 credits minimum)

Emphasis Prerequisites

Students who pursue the Ecosystems Studies area of emphasis are expected to have completed biology courses beyond introductory courses, typically the equivalent to a minor or major in biology (taken elsewhere or prior to entrance). These courses should include an ecology course.

Required Quantitative Course		4
ENV S&P 755	Environmental Data Analysis
Choose one of the following required ecology courses:		3
ENV SCI 669	Conservation Biology
ENV S&P 740	Ecology and Management of Ecosystems
ENV S&P 743	Landscape Ecology
ENV S&P 749	Wetland Ecology and Management
Additional Courses - complete 9 credits		9
Choose any combination from the courses listed here or above.
Biology:
BIOLOGY 510	Plant Taxonomy
BIOLOGY 511	Plant Physiology
BIOLOGY 512	Mycology
BIOLOGY 520	Field Botany
BIOLOGY 542	Ornithology
BIOLOGY 543	Mammalogy
BIOLOGY 553	Invertebrate Biology
BIOLOGY 555	Entomology
BIOLOGY 602	Advanced Microbiology
Environmental Science:
ENV SCI 520	The Soil Environment
ENV SCI 522	Environmental Microbiology
ENV SCI 530	Hydrology
ENV SCI 601	Stream Ecology
ENV SCI 603	Limnology
Environmental Policy and Planning:
PU EN AF 522	Environmental Planning
PU EN AF 578	Environmental Law
PU EN AF 580	Global Environmental Politics and Policy
PU EN AF 615	Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
ENV S&P 713	Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
ENV S&P 752	Environmental Policy and Administration
Math and Statistics:
ENV S&P 760	Social Research Methods
MATH 630	Design of Experiments
MATH 631	Multivariate Statistical Analysis
MATH 667	Applied Regression Analysis
Seminar and Special Topics (1-2 credits):
ENV S&P 715	Seminar in Ecology and Evolution
ENV S&P 795	Special Topics
Total Credits		16

Environmental Technology and Analysis (16 credits minimum)

Required Quantitative Course		4
ENV S&P 755	Environmental Data Analysis
Additional Courses - 12 credits		12
Choose any combination of the following courses listed below:
Chemistry:
CHEM 520	Thermodynamics and Kinetics
CHEM 522	Therymodynamics and Kinetics Laboratory
CHEM 530	Biochemistry
CHEM 531	Biochemistry Laboratory
CHEM 602	Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHEM 603	Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 613	Instrumental Analysis
Environmental Science:
ENV SCI 505	Environmental Systems
ENV SCI 518	Pollution Control
ENV SCI 520	The Soil Environment
ENV SCI 522	Environmental Microbiology
ENV SCI 523	Pollution Prevention
ENV SCI 530	Hydrology
ENV SCI 535	Water and Waste Water Treatment
ENV SCI 615	Solar and Alternate Energy Systems
ENV SCI 632	Hydrogeology
ENV SCI 660	Resource Management Strategy
ENV SCI 664	Atmospheric Pollution and Abatement
ENV S&P 724	Hazardous and Toxic Materials
ENV SCI 633	Ground Water: Resources and Regulations
ENV S&P 740	Ecology and Management of Ecosystems
ENV S&P 767	Environmental Technology and Analysis
Environmental Policy and Planning:
PU EN AF 551	Water Resources Policy and Management
PU EN AF 578	Environmental Law
PU EN AF 580	Global Environmental Politics and Policy
PU EN AF 615	Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
ENV S&P 713	Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
ENV S&P 752	Environmental Policy and Administration
Math and Statistics:
ENV S&P 760	Social Research Methods
MATH 630	Design of Experiments
MATH 631	Multivariate Statistical Analysis
MATH 667	Applied Regression Analysis
Seminar and Special Topics:
ENV S&P 715	Seminar in Ecology and Evolution
ENV S&P 795	Special Topics
Total Credits		16

Environmental Policy and Administration (16-18 credits minimum)

Emphasis Prerequisites

Students who pursue Environmental Policy and Administration come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds such as economics, engineering, environmental planning, environmental policy, political science, public administration, sociology, or more traditional science disciplines. The appropriate undergraduate course preparation is dictated by the prerequisites for the courses to be included in a program of study and the thesis topic area. It would normally be expected that students would have the equivalent of one year of undergraduate course work in political science, public administration, or economics.

Required Courses - complete 6 credits:		9
ENV S&P 713	Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
ENV S&P 752	Environmental Policy and Administration
ENV S&P 760	Social Research Methods
Administrative Organizations and Processes - complete 3 credits:		3
MANAGMNT 753	Organizational Theory and Behavior
POL SCI 610	Intergovernmental Relations
PU EN AF 514	Administrative Law
PU EN AF 578	Environmental Law
PU EN AF 615	Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
Public Policy - choose 3 credits:		3
ECON 612	Economics of Sustainability
ENV S&P 713	Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
POL SCI 516	Congress: Politics and Policy
PU EN AF 506	Regulatory Policy and Administration
PU EN AF 522	Environmental Planning
PU EN AF 551	Water Resources Policy and Management
PU EN AF 578	Environmental Law
PU EN AF 580	Global Environmental Politics and Policy
PU EN AF 608	Public Policy Analysis
Additional Courses		3
Select any combination from the courses listed here or above.
Research Methods:
ENV S&P 755	Environmental Data Analysis
MATH 630	Design of Experiments
MATH 631	Multivariate Statistical Analysis
MATH 667	Applied Regression Analysis
PU EN AF 653	Cost Benefit Analysis
Environmental Science:
ENV S&P 724	Hazardous and Toxic Materials
ENV SCI 633	Ground Water: Resources and Regulations
ENV S&P 740	Ecology and Management of Ecosystems
ENV S&P 743	Landscape Ecology
ENV S&P 767	Environmental Technology and Analysis
ENV SCI 505	Environmental Systems
ENV SCI 518	Pollution Control
ENV SCI 523	Pollution Prevention
ENV SCI 660	Resource Management Strategy
Environmental Planning and Geographic Information Systems:
PU EN AF 650	Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Seminar and Special Topics:
ENV S&P 715	Seminar in Ecology and Evolution
ENV S&P 795	Special Topics
Total Credits		18

Areas of Emphasis

One of the primary goals of the Environmental Science and Policy (ES&P) graduate program is to prepare technically competent and creative individuals for positions in the public or private sectors. Individuals with such career objectives will focus on environmental science course work in the emphases of Ecosystems Studies or Environmental Technology and Analysis. Another objective of the ES&P graduate program is to prepare highly skilled and imaginative individuals for management and policy-making positions in government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. Individuals with such career objectives will focus on environmental policy course work in the emphasis of Environmental Policy and Administration. Students will be prepared to deal with a variety of environmental problems and to pursue further graduate work in similar or related areas.

• Ecosystems Studies

  • Students who select the Ecosystems Studies emphasis may study general features of ecosystems such as nutrient regeneration, productivity, or trophic relationships. They may also focus on specific questions related to endangered species, predation and competition. Natural, managed, and disturbed ecosystems are examined in classroom and field activities. Studies on aquatic systems take advantage of the University’s location on Green Bay, participation in the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Program, and the on-campus Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. The University’s proximity to large areas of northern forests and the Door County Peninsula provides convenient locations for the study of diverse ecosystems.

  • The Ecosystems Studies area of emphasis prepares students to:

    • design and conduct scientific investigations;
    • collect, evaluate, and interpret data;
    • make responsible decisions to implement appropriate technologies and strategies to solve environmental problems; and
    • effectively communicate the results of environmental studies to other scientists, decision makers and the general public.
  • Graduates typically work as scientists, environmental specialists, or project managers with industry, commercial laboratories, engineering firms, or government agencies, where their work involves analysis, research, consulting, compliance, or enforcement.

• Environmental Technology and Analysis

  • Students who select the Environmental Technology and Analysis emphasis may study concepts of: environmental modeling and remediation; municipal, industrial, and agricultural waste transformation, utilization and disposal; alternative energy systems and energy efficiency; or chemical, biological and geological aspects of ground or surface water systems. Students may be involved with evaluating alternative technologies and strategies for effective planning and policy implementation for the future. Principles and techniques of quantitative and qualitative analysis are applied to problems of supply, distribution, and utilization of natural resources and to the optimization of treatment and management costs in the context of public agencies, consulting firms and industries.

  • The Environmental Technology and Analysis area of emphasis prepares students to:

    • design and conduct scientific investigations;
    • collect, evaluate, and interpret data;
    • make responsible decisions to implement appropriate technologies and strategies to solve environmental problems; and
    • effectively communicate the results of environmental studies to other scientists, decision makers and the general public.

  • Graduates typically work as scientists, environmental specialists, or project managers with industry, commercial laboratories, engineering firms, or government agencies, where their work involves analysis, research, consulting, compliance, or enforcement.

• Environmental Policy and Administration

  • Students who select the Environmental Policy and Administration emphasis may study the characteristics and operation of government institutions; organizational policy, design and evaluation; and substantive policies in regulation, environmental protection, science and technology, and energy and natural resources. Courses emphasize environmental problem analysis and planning, policy analysis and formulation, environmental law and implementation, program evaluation, statistical analysis and the application of social science research methods to environmental issues. Studies benefit from interaction with the Center for Public Affairs and the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity.

  • The Environmental Policy and Administration area of emphasis prepares students to:

    • identify and analyze policy-relevant problems of major importance;
    • collect, assess, and interpret policy-relevant data;
    • design, evaluate, and implement strategies and programs for addressing such problems; and
    • effectively communicate the results of policy analyses and evaluations to diverse audiences, including environmental scientists, policy makers, and the general public.

  • Graduates typically enter governmental agencies at the national, state or local level, or nonprofit organizations, where their work involves policy analysis, planning, or administration. Some prefer positions in legislative bodies, environmental organizations, or industry where administrative or analytical work is combined with politics, public relations, education or advocacy.

•  Personal Program of Study

  • ​The personal program of study provides students with the flexibility to develop the individual skillsets needed to pursue unique or emerging fields within the broader area of environmental science and policy. This degree path may be of particular interest to those interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career. Part-time students, especially those seeking professional advancement through their current employer might also consider this emphasis.
  • Personal programs of study must conform to Environmental Science and Policy program guidelines and be approved by the student’s academic adviser, the Environmental Science and Policy program chair, and the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies. These programs must include the entire 18-credit program core requirements and include a minimum of 34 credits.

Steps Toward the Degree

Thesis Students

• The candidate is admitted to the ES&P graduate program.
• The student submits an Official Declaration of Master’s Degree (GR-1 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the semester in which the first six graduate credits are completed. This confirms the student’s area of emphasis in the program, their intention to pursue a thesis program plan, and pairs a student with a major professor/thesis adviser. Thesis students should begin to develop a thesis committee and thesis proposal in collaboration with their major professor.
• On or before the successful completion of twenty-one credits of course work, the student completes a thesis proposal. The proposal is reviewed by the thesis committee and, if approved, submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, by the major professor, using the Approval of Thesis or Project Proposal (GR-2 Form).
• The student may then register for thesis credit (ENV S&P 799) and work on the thesis project.
• When the project and thesis document is nearly complete, the student schedules the thesis defense by completing the Request for Thesis Defense/Project Presentation (GR-3 Form). For graduation in the fall and spring semesters, the thesis defense must be held before the last day of final exams in a given semester.
• The student files an Application for Graduation with the Registrar’s Office through the Student Information System (SIS) prior to November 1 for fall semester graduates, and April 1 for spring and summer semester graduates.
• The scheduled thesis defense meeting takes place. Upon satisfactory completion of the thesis defense, the major professor files the Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form) with the Office of Graduate Studies. The student then has 20 calendar days after the last day of final exams to submit their final thesis/project document to the Office of Graduate Studies and 42 calendar days after the last day of final exams for all other graduation requirements to be completed and verified.
• The final format of the thesis report is reviewed through the Office of Graduate Studies. Student submits to the Office of Graduate Studies the required number of thesis copies for final approval and deposition in University library.
• Degree is awarded and graduate receives diploma.

Non-Thesis Students

• The candidate is admitted to the ES&P graduate program.
• The student submits an Official Declaration of Master’s Degree (GR-1 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the semester in which the first six graduate credits are completed. This confirms the student’s area of emphasis and their intention to pursue a non-thesis program plan. Non-thesis students should begin to identify potential internship or project opportunities.
• During the second semester for full-time students, or upon completion of nine graduate credits for part-time students, non-thesis students should enroll in ES&P 762: Project Proposal. Over the course of the semester, students in this course prepare and finalize their official project proposals, culminating in the submission of the Approval of Thesis or Project Proposal (GR-2 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies.
• In the spring semester during which the project will be completed, non-thesis students enroll in ENV S&P 768: Project Defense. Over the course of the semester, students in this course prepare and finalize their project documents, give oral presentations, and take a cumulative programmatic Written Examination. Course requirements are fulfilled with submission of an approved Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies. The student then has 42 calendar days after the last day of final exams to submit their Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies and for all other graduation requirements to be completed and verified.
  • Written Examination – Students are graded pass/fail, and have a maximum of three attempts to pass. Those students requiring additional attempts (beyond the first) should schedule exam dates with the ES&P Chair, a minimum of 3 weeks following their previous attempt. Upon successful completion of the Written Examination the student files their Written Examination Completion (GR-5 form) to the Office of Graduate Studies.
• The student files an Application for Graduation with the Registrar’s Office through the Student Information System (SIS) prior to November 1 for fall semester graduates, and April 1 for spring and summer semester graduates.
• Degree is awarded and graduate receives diploma.

Thesis Requirement

Graduate Committee

It is important for Environmental Science and Policy students to select a thesis committee as early as possible. The program chair or an adviser for the student’s degree program normally assists in this process. A thesis committee comprised of at least three members must be approved by the program chair. One member is requested by the student to act as the major professor, or chair, of the committee. That person must be a graduate faculty member of the student’s degree program. Thesis committees must include at least two University of Wisconsin-Green Bay faculty members. Students are encouraged, but not required, to ask a person from outside the University to serve on their committees as the third member.

The thesis committee is responsible for supervising the student’s program of study and should:

• guide the student in appropriate selection of graduate courses and specialization studies to ensure that the student is aware of all relevant materials necessary to completely understand the chosen field of study;
• determine whether the student has accumulated and demonstrated sufficient ability to engage in analytic processes of problem solving;
• make certain that the student’s project is consistent with the degree, confronts the interdisciplinary relationships of the subject area, and focuses on problem solving methods.

If during the student’s course of study, he or she wishes to change committee members or adviser, the student must explain why the change is necessary or desirable. If the change is acceptable to both outgoing and incoming professors, the student must notify the Office of Graduate Studies in writing.

Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal is a formal document that provides an overview of the planned study. It must include an explanation of the research problem, issue, or situation to be addressed, its relevance or application, and the methods and resources that will be used in completing the project.

On or before the successful completion of twenty-one credits of course work, the student prepares the proposal, using the Guidelines for Preparing the Proposal provided by the Office of Graduate Studies. A copy of the Guidelines and Approval of Thesis or Project Proposal (GR-2 Form) are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website www.uwgb.edu/graduate . Once approved, a copy of the approved proposal and the signed GR-2 Form are sent to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs/Director of Graduate Studies for final approval and inclusion in the student’s official file.

Registration for Thesis Credit

Students may only register for thesis credits with an approved proposal on file. Enrollment for thesis credits may be for one to six credits per term and may be spread over several terms as appropriate. A student must be registered for a minimum of one thesis credit during the term in which a thesis defense is scheduled.

Thesis Document Preparation

The thesis is a formal document and must be prepared to conform to UW-Green Bay library requirements and graduate program standards. In preparing the thesis document, students should carefully follow the Style and Format Requirements for the Master’s of Science Thesis. Copies of the guidelines and a copy of the completed Approval of Thesis or Project Proposal (GR-2 Form) are mailed to students along with notice of proposal approval. It is the student’s responsibility to prepare and present the final document in an acceptable format. Several writers’ guides and style manuals are commercially available. To prepare the professional project report, students should carefully follow the guidelines provided by respective course instructors.

Thesis Defense

The thesis defense is an open event attended by the candidate’s graduate committee and other interested individuals. The defense permits the committee to ascertain whether the student has adequately understood and seriously attempted to solve a significant problem.

To schedule the thesis defense, the student must file the Request for Thesis Defense/Project Presentation (GR-3 Form) with the Office of Graduate Studies at least one week in advance of the proposed date. The thesis defense should be scheduled during one of the academic terms unless other specific arrangements are acceptable to all parties.

Prior to the thesis defense, the Office of Graduate Studies will provide Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form) to the major professor. After a satisfactory defense, the major professor and committee members sign the form and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies. A dissenting signature must be accompanied by an explanation from the dissenting member. A candidate is considered to have passed his or her thesis defense only after all issues have been resolved and the completed GR-4 Form is returned to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Thesis Report Deposition

1. Upon satisfactory completion of the thesis defense, the candidate is required to supply two copies of his or her thesis, including two copies of any audio/visual components and one additional copy of a title page and abstract, to the Office of Graduate Studies. After the major professor signs the document, the Director of Graduate Studies reviews and signs it or returns the document for revision. Two copies of the final document are forwarded with a binding fee ($12 per copy, but subject to change), collected from the student, to the UW-Green Bay library as a permanent record of the student’s scholarly or creative activity. If the candidate wishes, additional copies provided by the student may be bound at the same per copy fee, payable to UW-Green Bay. Diplomas are not awarded until all degree requirements are met. This includes certification by the Director of Graduate Studies that the thesis conforms to all UW-Green Bay library requirements and graduate program standard thesis defense meeting takes place. Upon satisfactory completion of the thesis defense, the major professor files the Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form) with the Office of Graduate Studies. The student then has 20 calendar days after the last day of final exams to submit their final thesis/project document to the Office of Graduate Studies and 42 calendar days after the last day of final exams for all other graduation requirements to be completed and verified.
2. The final format of the thesis report is reviewed through the Office of Graduate Studies. Student submits to the Office of Graduate Studies the required number of thesis copies for final approval and deposition in University library.
3. Degree is awarded and graduate receives diploma.

Non-Thesis Requirement

Non-Thesis Committee

Project quality and rigor is maintained by the collective oversight of the three faculty instructors for ENV S&P 762: Project Proposal and ENV S&P 764: Project Defense. These faculty members are collectively responsible for authorizing Approval of Thesis or Project Proposal (GR-2 Form) and Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form).

Project Proposal

The project proposal is a formal document that provides an overview of the planned study. It must include an explanation of the problem, issue, or situation to be addressed, its relevance or application, and the methods and resources that will be used in completing the project. Projects are differentiated from theses in: a) their focus on application of environmental science and policy approaches in place of a focus on answering questions and expanding knowledge (i.e. traditional theses), and b) the nature of their final products; project final products can take many forms (e.g. a final report, a functional website, a multimedia tool, etc), while the thesis format reflects a research approach to communication.

During the second semester for full-time students, or upon completion of nine graduate credits for part-time students, non-thesis students should enroll in ES&P 762: Project Proposal. Over the course of the semester, students in this course prepare and finalize their official project proposals, culminating in the submission of the Approval of Thesis or Project Proposal (GR-2 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies. ES&P 762: Project Proposal is graded pass/fail.

Project Defense

There are two essential requirements for successful completion of the non-thesis project, both of which occur within ENV S&P 768: Project Defense. First, students must satisfactory complete a public presentation of their project at an end-of-semester Graduate Symposium to be organized and implemented by the class. The project presentation is an open event attended by the three instructors for ENV S&P 768: Project Defense (i.e. non-thesis committee), as well as any other interested individuals. Presentations are reviewed (pass/fail) by the non-thesis committee. Second, students must complete a final product (report, website, multimedia tool, etc.) to be reviewed (pass/fail) by the non-thesis committee. Students should enroll in ENV S&P 768 during the final spring semester of their program of study. A candidate is considered to have passed his or her project defense (i.e. ENV S&P 768) only after successful completion of both the public presentation and final project product, culminating in the submission of the completed Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Written Examination

Non-thesis students are required to pass a written examination comprised of a mixture of learning outcomes drawn from the core curriculum and student-specific emphases. The first administration of the exam occurs in ENV S&P 768. Those students requiring additional attempts should schedule exam dates with the ES&P Chair a minimum of 3 weeks following their previous attempt. Students have a maximum of three attempts to pass. Upon successful completion of the Written Examination the student files Written Examination Completion (GR-5 form) to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Switching Between Thesis and Non-Thesis Plans

Non-thesis students replace the requirement of 6 thesis credits (ENV S&P 799) with 6 project credits divided between two courses (ENV S&P 762: Project Proposal: 3 credits and ENV S&P 768: Project Defense: 3 credits). Students wishing to switch between thesis and non-thesis tracks must amend their GR-2 forms appropriately, including committee approval, and can apply up to three credits earned from either ENV S&P 799: Thesis Credits or ENV S&P 762: Project Proposal interchangeably toward degree completion. All other requirements for thesis and non-thesis degree plans must meet the specifications highlighted above under "Thesis" and "Non-Thesis Requirements."

Faculty

Caglar, Atife, Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Mathematics). B.S. (1989), M.S. (1993) University of Ataturk (Turkey); M.S. (1998), Ph.D. (2002) University of Pittsburgh.

Fields of interest: numerical analysis, numerical solution of partial differential equations, computational fluid dynamics, industrial modeling, large-scale scientific computing.

Chen, Franklin, Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Chemistry). B.A. (1970) National Taiwan University (Taiwan); Ph.D. (1977) Princeton University.

Fields of interest: organic contaminant remediation; rock erosion effects (tidal wave and bubble implosion effects on rock surfaces); mesoporous materials with gas phase contaminant adsorption properties; polymeric electrolytes with potential industrial applications; sonochemistry that may enhance catalytic ability.

Currier, Ryan, Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Geoscience). B.S. Geoscience, Michigan State University; M.A. and Ph.D. Magma Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University.

Fields of interest: transport phenomena of magma; magmatic ore formation; Antarctic geology.

Davis, Gregory J., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Mathematics). B.S. (1981) UW-Green Bay; M.A. (1985), Ph.D. (1987) Northwestern.

Fields of interest: dynamical systems; mathematical modeling of biological and physical systems; cliff swallow-house sparrow species dynamics.

Dornbush, Mathew,  Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology). B.A. (1998) Augustana College; M.S. (2001), Ph.D. (2005) Iowa State University.

Fields of interest: soil ecology; plant-soil microbial interactions; soil microbial ecology; ecosystem carbon cycling; plant ecology; invasive species; restoration ecology.

Draney, Michael L., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology). B.S. (1989) New Mexico State University; M.S. (1992), Ph.D. (1997) Univ. of Georgia.

Fields of interest: inventory, monitoring and assessment techniques for terrestrial and wetland invertebrates, taxonomy, and conservation of spiders and ground-dwelling arthropods.

Fermanich, Kevin J., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Geoscience). B.S. (1985) UW-Stevens Point; M.S. (1988), Ph.D. (1995) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: nonpoint pollution; soil management; watershed management, groundwater, contaminant fate and transport; vadose zone processes; community environmental monitoring.

Forsythe, Patrick S., Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology). B.S. (2000), M.S. (2003) Eastern Illinois University, Ph.D. (2010) Michigan State University.

Fields of interest: fisheries biology and ecology with emphasis on ecosystems of the Great Lakes region; mating systems and early life history dynamics of fishes; behavioral ecology and species interactions; population/community ecology; landscape ecology; conservation biology; dynamic evolutionary processes that lead to adaptation.

Furlong, Scott R., Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Political Science). B.A. (1985) St. Lawrence University; M.P.A. (1987), Ph.D. (1992) The American University.

Fields of interest: regulatory policy; environmental policy; legislative politics; administrative law; public policy and administration; research methods and interest group influence on the administrative rulemaking process.

Grubisha, Lisa C., Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology). B.S. (1988) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, M.S. (1998) Oregon State University, Ph.D. (2005) University of California-Berkeley.

 Fields of interest: Fungal ecology and evolution, Microbial diversity and function, Conservation Biology, Population Genetics, Phylogenetics.

Helpap, David, Assistant Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Political Science). B.S. (2006) Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; M.A. (2008), Ph.D. (2012) Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Fields of interest: state and local government; urban politics; brownfield redevelopment; public management and budgeting; public policy

Holzem, Ryan M., Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Engineering Technology). B.S. (2006) UW-Platteville, M.S. (2008) UW-Madison, Ph.D. (2014) Duke University.

Fields of interest: biological, chemical, and physical processes of drinking water and wastewater treatment and remediation; process and technologies associated with nutrient and energy recovery, such as anaerobic digestion, biosolids management and disposal, and phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium recovery; impact and potential removal methods of emerging chemicals of concern within natural and engineered systems.

Howe, Robert W., Barbara Hauxhurst Cofrin Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology); Director, Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. B.S. (1974) Notre Dame; M.S. (1977), Ph.D. (1981) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: terrestrial ecology and conservation biology; ecological indicators; bird population dynamics; population monitoring; landscape ecology; conservation design residential development; disease ecology; black bear ecology; evolutionary ecology.

Intemann, Jeremy J., Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Chemistry). B.S. (2006) University of Northern Iowa, Ph.D. (2012) Iowa State University.

Fields of interest: synthesis of conjugated polymers and small molecules for use in organic electronics.

Katers, John F., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Engineering). B.S. (1991), M.S. (1993) UW-Green Bay; Ph.D. (1996) Marquette.

Fields of interest: waste management; recycling, pollution prevention, renewable energy, water and waste water treatment.

Luczaj, John, Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Geoscience). B.S. (1993) University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh; M.S. (1995) University of Kansas; Ph.D. (2000) Johns Hopkins University.

Fields of interest: fluid inclusion in minerals; water-rock interaction in sedimentary rock; groundwater contamination; karst geology and hydrogeology; stratigraphy of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks.

Mahfuz, Mohammad Upal, Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Engineering Technology). B.S. (2002) Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh, M.S. (2008) University of Calgary, Canada, M.Engg. (2005) Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, Ph.D. (2014) University of Ottawa, Canada.

Fields of interest: nano scale communication systems, wireless communication and positioning systems, emerging and sustainable technologies.

Malysheva, Tetyana, Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Math). B.S., M.S. Computer Sciences, National Technical University of Ukraine “KPI”, Ph.D., M.A. Mathematics, University of Oklahoma; Ph.D. Physical and Mathematical Sciences - Computational Mathematics, Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Fields of interest: theory and applications of partial differential equations, numerical analysis, control of distributed parameter systems, continuum mechanics, inverse problems.

Mattison, Sue J., Dean and Professor, College of Professional Studies. B.A. (1981) , M.A. (1987) University of Northern Iowa, Ph.D. (1991) The University of Iowa.

Fields of interest: breast and bladder cancer epidemiology, including examining racial differences in breast cancer treatment, survival, risk factors, and molecular markers; and the economic aspects of cancer treatment.

Meyer, Steven J., Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Geoscience). B.S. (1983) Northern Illinois; M.S. (1986), Ph.D. (1990) University of Nebraska.

Fields of interest: climate change; the effects of climate change on natural resources; climate related decision making; long-range climate outlooks and their uses; science education.

Olson Hunt, Megan J., Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Statistics). B.A., B.S.T. (2007) Winona State University, Ph.D. (2014) University of Pittsburgh.

Fields of interest: Theoretical issues in missing data, applied environmental and neurological data analyses, teaching all levels of statistics.

Phoenix, Laurel, Associate Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Planning). B.S. (1992), M.S. (1994) Colorado at Boulder; Ph.D. (2001) SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Fields of interest: water resources management; drinking water quality; anti-environmentalism; water and waste water infrastructure; rural environmental planning.

Stoll, John R., Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Economics). B.S. (1973) UW-Green Bay; M.S. (1977), Ph.D. (1980) Kentucky.

Fields of interest: natural resource and environmental economics; quantitative methods; nonmarket valuation methodology; economics of recreation and leisure; cost-benefit analysis, regional economics, fisheries economics, value of nonconsumptive resource usage.

Terry, Patricia A., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Engineering). B.S. (1989), M.S. (1991) Texas-Austin; Ph.D. (1995) University of Colorado-Boulder.

Fields of interest: general water remediation; environmental separations; ion exchange processes; removal of heavy metals, chromates, phosphates, and nitrates from water.

Weinschenk, Aaron C., Assistant Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs. B.A., B.S. (2007) University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, M.A. (2009), Ph.D. (2013) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 

Fields of interest: American Government and Politics; Political Behavior; Campaigns and Elections; Political Psychology; Voting Behavior; Political Participation; Statistics; Research Design and Methodology.

Wheat, Elizabeth, Assistant Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Political Science). B.A. (2002) Psychology, Alma College; M.P.A. (2004) Comparative Environmental Policy, Indiana University; Ph.D. (2013) Political Science, Western Michigan University.

Fields of interest: environmental law, environmental justice, civil rights, wildlife smuggling, international organizations.

Wolf, Amy, Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Ecology). B.S. (1989), M.S. (1993) UW-Green Bay; Ph.D. (1998) University of California-Davis.

Fields of interest: conservation biology, plant-animal interactions, restoration ecology, plant population ecology, ornithology; pollination ecology of rare plants, butterfly conservation and monitoring, population genetics of rare plants, invasive wetland plants, conservation of native bees.

Yan, David, Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Engineering Technology). B.E. (2007) Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, M.Phil. (2009) Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, Ph.D. (2014) Deakin University, Australia.

Fields of interest: experimental and numerical studies of severe plastic deformation processes for metallic materials; applied research and industrial applications in advanced manufacturing and tooling solution such as high speed machining of aerospace alloys, solid-state joining of metallic materials and dissimilar materials, additive manufacturing, and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM).

Zorn, Michael E., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Chemistry). B.S. (1993) UW-Green Bay; Ph.D. (1997) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: development of photocatalytic and catalytic methods for degradation of environmentally relevant compounds; development of enhancement of experimental methods (including sensors) for the analysis of environmental samples.

Emeriti Faculty

Day, Harold Jack, Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Engineering). B.S. (1952), M.S. (1953), Ph.D. (1963) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: water resources, fluid mechanics, hydrology and related applications of engineering to society and technology; regional water quality and associated land management and flood plain management; resource management.

Harris, Hallet J., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology). B.A. (1961) Coe College; M.S. (1965), Ph.D. (1966) Iowa State.

Fields of interest: animal and wetland ecology; management of coastal areas; wildlife management; ecological risk assessment.

Kraft, Michael E., Herbert Fisk Johnson Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Political Science). B.A. (1966) UC-Riverside; M.A. (1967), Ph.D. (1973) Yale.

Fields of interest: American politics and government; public policy analysis; Congress; environmental policy and politics in the U.S.; sustainable communities; politics of nuclear waste disposal; business and environmental policy; environmental information disclosure.

Moran, Joseph M., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Earth Science). B.A. (1965), M.S. (1967) Boston College; Ph.D. (1972) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: nature of climatic change, air pollution meteorology; applications of paleoclimatic reconstruction techniques to Glacial-age evidence; environmental implications of current climatic changes; quaternary climatology; geology.

Niedzwiedz, William R., Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Geography). B.S. (1969), M.S. (1972) Massachusetts; Ph.D. (1981) Virginia Polytechnic.

Fields of interest: geographic information systems; aerial photo interpretation; coastal management; conservation design of landscapes; environmental impact.

Sager, Paul E., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology). B.S. (1959) Michigan; M.S. (1963), Ph.D. (1967) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: ecology of aquatic communities including nutrient studies in the phytoplankton of freshwater lakes; eutrophication of lakes; ecological effects of nutrient enrichment and water quality deterioration; limnology.

Scheberle, Denise L., Professor, Public and Environmental Affairs (Political Science). B.S. (1982), M.P.A. (1984) University of Wyoming; Ph.D. (1991) Colorado State University.

Fields of interest: environmental policy and law; policy implementation and formation; federal-state relationships in environmental programs; public administration; intergovernmental relations; public policy.

Stieglitz, Ronald D., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Earth Science-Geology). B.S. (1963) UW-Milwaukee; M.S. (1967), Ph.D. (1970) Illinois.

Fields of interest: environmental geology; stratigraphic analysis; sedimentary geology; applications of geology to land use problems; ground water resources.

Wenger, Robert B., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Mathematics). B.S. (1958) Eastern Mennonite; M.A. (1962) Pennsylvania State; Ph.D. (1969) Pittsburgh.

Fields of interest: application of mathematical models to environmental problems such as solid waste management and water quality management; ecosystem risk assessment and graph-theoretic approaches to the study of ecosystem stressors.

Adjunct Faculty

Katz, Chris, Adjunct Assistant Professor, (Veterinary Medicine). B.S. (1977), D.V.M. (1981) Iowa State.

Fields of interest: Black Bear research, wildlife and exotic pet medicine, wildlife anesthetization for research.

Medland, Vicki, Associate Director, Cofrin Center for Biodiversity (Biology). B.S. (1984) UW-Madison; M.S. (1989) New Mexico State University; Ph.D. (1997) University of Georgia.

Fields of interest: wetland ecology, evolutionary and behavioral ecology of aquatic invertebrate and zooplankton.

Reed, Tara, Adjunct Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences (Biology). B.A. (1980) Whitworth; M.S. (1995) Oregon State; Ph.D. (1999) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: impacts of anthropogenic activities and exotic invasions on aquatic ecosystem; changes in the Green Bay ecosystem following zebra mussel invasion; evaluating the changes in macroinvertebrate community structure downstream following dam removal.

Robertson, Dale, Adjunct Associate Professor, U.S. Geological Survey (Hydrology). B.S. (1981) St. Norbert College; M.S. (1984), Ph.D. (1989) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: physical limnology; water-quality modeling; influence of environmental factors, watershed management strategies, and in-lake management alternatives on the water quality rivers and lakes; ice as climatic indicators; effects of artificial destratification; regional loading estimates; meteorological and lake physical measurements; air-water interactions.

Robinson, Patrick, Co-Director & Environmental Studies Specialist, UWEX Environmental Resources Center; Affiliate Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. B.S. (1994), M.S. (1996) UW-Green Bay; Ph.D. (2011) UW-Madison

Fields of interest: fresh water estuaries, wetlands, integration of social science into ecological research and management.