Welcome to ECS!
The Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ECS) program provides a platform for graduate students to develop an expertise in at least one discipline but have exposure through course work to other relevant environmental disciplines. Our mission is to provide interdisciplinary teaching and research to prepare graduate students (Masters and Doctorate) to work on environmental problems that span traditional academic boundaries. Our graduates pursue careers in research, education, and policy. Graduates find positions in academia, government, industry and non-governmental environment and conservation organizations.
Our students choose from one of three tracks
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Social Science
Both Conservation Biology and Environmental Science align with biotic and abiotic domains of the environmental sciences, while Environmental Social Science was developed for students with interest in areas such as Environmental Economics.
The ECS program is nested within EIGHT different departments giving our students the opportunity to choose research they enjoy.
The Environmental and Conservation Sciences program at North Dakota State University prepares graduates to Research. Teach. Lead.
Rigorous interdisciplinary research is at the core of both the master and doctoral programs. Faculty and students conduct research regionally, nationally and internationally in areas such as:
- Climate Change
- Evolutionary Ecology
- Geochemistry
- Environmental Assessment and Remediation
- Preservation of Biodiversity
- Restoration Ecology
- Water, Soil, and Waste Management
NDSU has been designated as an R1 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Carnegie’s R1 distinction, titled “Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity,” is its highest classification and is presented to only the top research institutions in the country. The Environmental and Conservation Sciences program is proud to be a part of this achievement.
Our faculty study a wide range of topics and actively involve graduate students in their research.
Both the master’s and doctoral programs are designed to bridge theory and practice to meet the needs of environmental science. Our program draws on the exceptional faculty and resources of eight different departments across four colleges:
- Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Engineering and Architecture
- Science and Mathematics
Mission & Values
The mission of the Environmental and Conservation Sciences Graduate Program (ECS) is to provide interdisciplinary scholarship in terms of teaching and research to prepare graduate students (Masters and Doctorate) to work on environmental problems that span traditional academic boundaries.
ECS strives to promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. Click here to read our statements of solidarity.
