- Ph.D. in Forestry and Ph.D. in Rangeland Ecology and Management
-
These Doctor of Philosophy degrees are designed primarily for
students who are pursuing an academic or research career in ecology
and/or natural resource management, with an emphasis on forest or
rangeland ecosystems. Specialization is available in four main
broad research areas: ecosystem science; ecosystem management;
genetics, systematics, evolution; and spatial sciences. (See the main
ESSM graduate programs page for more details.)
Credit requirements
>64 credit hours for students with a master's degree
>96 credit hours for students without a master's degree
>Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPR on the degree plan and
cumulatively, with no grade lower than C in any course on the
degree plan
Course requirements
You will plan most of your courses in consultation with your
advisory committee. A few courses are required.
Forest Science:
- ESSM 601. Ecosystem Stewardship
- ESSM 605. The Research Process
- One 600 level statistics course (3 credits)
- 2 credit hours of graduate seminar (ESSM 681)
- Research credits (ESSM 691)
Rangeland Ecology and
Management:
- 2 credit hours of graduate seminar (ESSM 681)
- Research credits (ESSM 691)
Advisory committee
You will work with your advisor to form an advisory committee that
consists of at least four members of the graduate faculty who
represent your fields of study. The committee chair (i.e., your
advisor) must be from the Department of Ecosystem Science and
Management, and at least one committee member must be from another
department.
Preliminary exams
You must complete both written and oral preliminary examinations
to be conducted upon completion of your formal coursework.
These exams are based both on your prior coursework and knowledge
of the scientific literature in your general area of expertise.
Dissertation
As a doctoral student, you are expected to conduct independent
research that makes a unique and significant contribution to a
particular field of study. A dissertation is required as the
culminating product of this work.
Final examination
After your advisory committee accepts your dissertation for
defense and you have completed all coursework on your degree plan
(with the exception of research or professional study hours), you
must schedule a final oral examination. The final exam involves a
public seminar on your doctoral research immediately followed by a
formal dissertation defense with your advisory committee.
Duration
A doctoral degree generally requires three years of full time work
beyond a master's degree, or four to five years of full time work
beyond a bachelor's degree.
>Find detailed information about all requirements in the Texas A&M Graduate Catalog.
(Select the most current catalog from the list.)
- M.S. in Forestry and M.S. in Rangeland Ecology and Management
-
The Master of Science degree is intended to educate students in
ecology and natural resource management. It offers a thesis option
for those who desire a serious research experience and a non-thesis
option for those who seek a professional career outside of
research. Specialization is available in four main broad research
areas: ecosystem science; ecosystem management; genetics,
systematics, evolution; and spatial sciences. (See the main
ESSM graduate programs page for more details.)
Credit requirements
>Thesis option: 32 credit hours, minimum
>Non-thesis option: 36 credit hours, minimum
>Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPR on the degree plan and
cumulatively, with no grade lower than C in any course on the
degree plan
Course requirements
You will plan most of your courses in consultation with your
advisory committee. A few courses are required.
Forest Science:
- ESSM 601. Ecosystem Stewardship
- ESSM 605. The Research Process
- One 600 level statistics course (3 credits)
- 1 credit hour of graduate seminar (ESSM 681)
Rangeland Ecology and
Management:
- 1 credit hour of graduate seminar (ESSM 681)
Advisory committee
You will work with your advisor to form an advisory committee that
consists of at least three members of the graduate faculty who
represent your fields of study. The committee chair (i.e., your
advisor) must be from the Department of Ecosystem Science and
Management, and at least one committee member must be from another
department.
Thesis option
>Thesis: As a student on the thesis
track, you are expected to conduct original research approved by
your graduate committee. A thesis is required as the culminating
product of this work.
>Final comprehensive examination: You
must pass a final comprehensive examination. This involves a public
seminar of your thesis immediately followed by a formal examination
with your advisory committee, addressing the content of your thesis
as well as your prior coursework. This exam may be written or oral
or both.
Non-thesis option
>Professional paper: Students on the
non-thesis track may prepare a professional paper in a relevant
area of ecosystem science and management. This paper is formulated
in consultation with your advisory committee and may be based on
literature reviews, surveys and other sources.
>Final comprehensive examination: As
a non-thesis student you are required to pass a final comprehensive
examination administered by your advisory committee and based on
all your coursework. If you prepare a professional paper, the final
exam may also address that work. This exam may be written or oral
or both.
Duration
A master's degree generally requires at least two years of full
time work beyond a bachelor's degree.
>Find detailed information about all requirements in the Texas A&M Graduate Catalog.
(Select the most current catalog from the list.)
- Master of Natural Resource Development (MNRD)
-
The MNRD degree (non-thesis) is designed for students who want
professional graduate training with a management orientation in
natural resources. It is intended to emphasize the problem solving
skills involved in the use of science and technology to benefit
humanity, not as a research degree.
Credit requirement
>36 credit hours, minimum
>Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPR on the degree plan and
cumulatively, with no grade lower than C in any course on the
degree plan
Advisory committee
You will work with your advisor to form an advisory committee that
consists of at least three members of the graduate faculty who
represent your fields of study. The committee chair (i.e., your
advisor) must be from the Department of Ecosystem Science and
Management, and at least one committee member must be from outside
the department.
Professional paper
You must prepare a professional paper in a relevant area of
ecosystem science and management. This paper is formulated in
consultation with your advisory committee and may be based on
literature reviews, surveys and other sources.
Final comprehensive examination
As a non-thesis student you are required to pass a final
comprehensive examination administered by your advisory committee.
The exam will be based on your formal coursework as well as the
content of your professional paper. This exam may be written or
oral or both.
Duration
A master's degree generally requires at least two years of full
time work beyond a bachelor's degree.
>Find detailed information about all requirements in the Texas A&M Graduate Catalog.
(Select the most current catalog from the list.)
- Distance-based Master of Natural Resource Development (MNRD)
-
The distance-based MNRD degree (non-thesis) is designed for
working natural resource professionals who want professional
graduate training with a management orientation in natural
resources. It aims to develop an understanding of the
interrelationships among ecology, economics, policy and culture as
factors that influence natural resource conservation and
management.
Credit requirement
>36 credit hours, minimum
>Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPR on the degree plan and
cumulatively, with no grade lower than C in any course on the
degree plan
Details and Courses
Check the
MNRD Distance page for program details and course
offerings.
>Find detailed information about all requirements in the Texas A&M Graduate Catalog.
(Select the most current catalog from the list.)
- Master of Agriculture (MAgr) in Rangeland Ecology and Management
-
This Master of Agriculture degree (non-thesis) is designed for
students who want professional graduate training with a management
orientation. It provides advanced training in the science and
management of rangeland resources, emphasizes the development of
problem solving capabilities, and requires an intensive
professional internship that is designed to provide meaningful,
applied, practical experiences.
Credit requirement
>36 credit hours, minimum
>Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPR on the degree plan and cumulatively,
with no grade lower than C in any course on the degree plan
Advisory committee
You will work with your advisor to form an advisory committee that
consists of at least three members of the graduate faculty who
represent your fields of study. The committee chair (i.e., your
advisor) must be from the Department of Ecosystem Science and
Management, and at least one committee member must be from another
department.
Professional internship
As a Master of Agriculture student, you must complete an intensive
professional internship lasting at least six months. Your
choice of internship must be approved by your advisory
committee.
Professional paper
You must prepare a professional paper in a relevant area of
ecosystem science and management. Most often, this paper is
an account of your internship that highlights the scientific and
managerial principles that you learned and applied during that
experience. This paper must be formulated and developed
in consultation with your advisory committee.
Final comprehensive examination
As anon-thesis student, you are required to pass a final
comprehensive examination administered by your advisory
committee. The exam will cover your coursework, as well as your
internship and professional paper. This exam may be written or oral
or both.
Duration
The M.Ag. degree generally requires at least two years of full
time work beyond a bachelor's degree.
>Find detailed information about all requirements in the Texas A&M Graduate Catalog.
(Select the most current catalog from the list.)
- Peace Corps Master's International Program
-
Students studying for an M.S., M.Agr., or MNRD degrees in
Ecosystem Science and Management can integrate their coursework and
research with Peace Corps service.
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