ER Program Chair: Arthur McEvoy
ER Graduate Advisor: Jim Miller, 608-263-4373
ER Admissions Coordinator: Sara Lorence, 608-262-9206
A list of the faculty affiliated with the ER program can be found on our searchable faculty directory.
The Environment and Resources Program (formerly known as Land Resources) is an interdisciplinary program for graduate students who wish to broaden their knowledge of natural resources or who seek special education in the technical, social, or management aspects of land. The interpretation of "environment and resources" in this program is based upon Aldo Leopold's idea of the "land ethic," encompassing not only land but also air, water, and the associated biomes. Graduates earn a master of science (M.S.) degree in environment and resources or a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree with a major in environment and resources.
The program, administered by the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies (Nelson Institute), provides for interdisciplinary graduate study and research that cannot be accommodated within more traditional academic departments. It encourages independence and creativity in the development of curricula; however, every student is expected to enter the program with a specific area of interest that will lead to a thesis (required for a master's degree) or dissertation (required for a doctorate).
Each student designs a study plan with the help of faculty advisers from the Nelson Institute and other colleges and schools at UW-Madison. It is possible, for example, to combine courses in basic science and engineering with courses in social sciences, humanities, and law. The goal is to give each student a broad understanding of environment and resources as well as knowledge of technical, socio-political, legal, and economic issues.
Students can pursue interests in a wide variety of areas such as:
In addition, it is possible to combine a degree in Environment and Resources with a degree from another program as a joint degree, dual degrees or double degrees or pursue a graduate level certificate. For more information on this, please visit our double and joint degree page, the dual Law degree page and our graduate level certificate pages.
The Environment and Resources programs requires that Ph.D. applicants have a post-baccalaureate degree (ie MS, MA, JD, MBA) or siginifcant, comparable experience. If you do not have a post-baccalaureate degree it is recommended that you apply to the M.S. level initially and apply for a change to the Ph.D. once you are in the program.
Full-time students typically require two or two-and-a-half years of study to earn an M.S. degree and three to four years of study beyond the master's level to earn a doctorate.