Doctoral Program
The PhD program offers highly qualified students the opportunity to work on environmental research using an interdisciplinary approach to complex issues.
The program is flexible, and designed to meet the needs of the student. The PhD program provides students the opportunity to work on multi-disciplinary projects, using cutting edge techniques, with access to the latest technologies and laboratory facilties at Discovery Park and across the Purdue campus.
Application Requirements*:
Previous research or environmental project experience
College GPA of 3.3/4.0
GRE: Verbal + Quantitative combined 1200 + , Analytical writing score of 4.0 or better.
The Graduate School accepts all valid TOEFL scores, including those earned through the Internet-based test, paper-based test, and computer-based test. The minimum paper-based test score required for admission is 550. The Graduate School's minimum computer-based test score required for admission is 213. The minimum Internet-based test scores required for admission are the following:
Writing 18
Speaking 18
Listening 14
Reading 19
Total 77
Note that in addition to required minimum scores for writing, speaking, listening, and reading, the Graduate School also requires a minimum overall score that is higher than the minimums for the four area tests combined. Applicants must meet or exceed each of the five scores (listed above) for admission to the Graduate School. Some graduate programs require higher minimum scores. Please check the program instruction pages for additional requirements.
*exceptions are decided on a case by case basis (i.e. exceptional work or research experience, etc.)
Course pre-requisites
1 year of college level calculus, 2 years of college-level science (chemistry, physics, and biology), and a statistics course. Please note that students do not need to have an engineering background to enter the ESE program, unless they are considering a PhD that focuses on engineering research.
For applicants that have completed an MS in ESE, they will have fullfilled the course requirements of the program, but will take seminar and other ESE courses and outlined by their graduate committee and ESE Graduate Head.
View a timeline for the PhD Program (PDF)
Applicants to the PhD program are strongly encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors early in the process.
The ESE program offers a limited number of Lynn Fellowships to bring highly qualified PhD applicants to Purdue. More information about our Lynn Fellowship is located on our financial support page.