StudyQA — PhD: Environmental Science, Policy and Management — Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

ESPM is an interdisciplinary research and education program covering a wide spectrum of environmental interests. The research programs focus on the dynamics and interconnection of scientific, technological, environmental socio-economic and policy challenges facing the world. Co-supervision on student thesis work is a core feature in the program, an approach that enhances the interdisciplinary education experience for students. Currently, the research concentrations include:

Atmospheric science and air pollution
Oceanic science and water pollution
Climate change policy and adaptations
Sustainability
Healthy living environment

PhD program requirements are

Taking at least 12 credits of coursework including:
- 6 credits from the Interdisciplinary Core Course List; and
- 6 credits from the Elective Course List or other postgraduate course(s) approved by the supervisor and PG Coordinator.
  Subject to approval from the PG Coordinator, students who have taken HKUST MPhil (ESPM) program will be granted credit transfer of up to a maximum of 9 credits. Students admitted to the program with a relevant master’s degree may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis. In such case, the maximum number of credit transferrable is 6.
Completion of and passing IDPO 6770 Professional Development for Interdisciplinary Programs (1 credit) and ENVR 6770 Professional Development in Environmental Science, Policy and Management (1 credit) within the first two years of study for full-time students, or four years for part-time students. Part-time students may be exempted from a maximum of 50% of mini-workshops of IDPO 6770 and ENVR 6770, subject to prior approval of the Division Head and PG Coordinator. The credits earned from IDPO 6770 and ENVR 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. The hours earned from research seminars of this course cannot be used to fulfill the seminar requirement of the program. HKUST MPhil (ESPM) graduates who have taken and passed IDPO 6770 before may be exempted from taking the same course, subject to prior approval from the Division Head and PG Coordinator.
Completion of and passing LANG 5080 English Seminar and Presentation Skills, and LANG 5081 Research Writing Skills. The 6 credits earned from LANG 5080 and LANG 5081 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. Students can be exempted from taking LANG 5080 and/or LANG 5081 with the approval of the supervisor and the PG Coordinator.
Taking ENVR 6010 Postgraduate Seminar whenever it is offered.
Submission of a thesis proposal to the Qualifying Examination Committee who will examine the student’s general background knowledge and knowledge related to the topic of the research. Students must pass the qualifying examination no later than the forth term of study for full-time students, or the sixth term of study for part-time students.
Registration in ENVR 7990 Doctoral Thesis Research; and
Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.

Interdisciplinary Core Course List

ENVR 5290 Climate Change: Science, Policy and Management
ENVR 6060 Sustainability Economics; or SOSC 5620 Sustainable Development

Elective Course List

ENVR 5210 Environmental Microbiology
ENVR 5250 Environmental Economics and Management
ENVR 5260 Environmental Policy and Management
ENVR 5410 Atmospheric Chemistry
ENVR 6040 Special Topics in Environment
ENVR 6050 Introduction to Oceanography
EVSM 5270 Environmental Law
EVSM 5280 Introduction to Atmospheric Aerosols
EVSM 6070 Environmental Impact Assessment
RMBI 4000B Environmental Risk Management

Requirements

Obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; OR presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years;
Satisfied the specific requirements prescribed by the school and department concerned as to their chosen subject of research, as well as their fitness to undertake the research.
You will fulfill the English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:TOEFL-iBT 80, TOEFL PBT 550, IELTS Overall score: 6.0
You are required to nominate 2-5 referees to support your application. Upon your application submission, the referees will be invited by email to complete a reference report online. Referees may attach additional reference letters to the online report if they wish to.
Remember that you will need to send official documents to substantiate your qualifications/ exam results after accepting an admission offer.