Overview

The Ecological Sciences and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, ESE, curriculum is designed to create a foundation where students develop the knowledge and tools necessary for sustainable management of natural resources and to reduce the "ecological footprint" of human society. As an ESE graduate student, you will be exposed to large-scale ecological issues (e.g. global warming, loss of biodiversity, sustainable food production) and the scientific principles that help design solutions. The ESE program aims to train practitioners (consultants, policy makers, regulators, industry) at the MS level, and researchers and educators at the PhD level.

Visit our ESE Admissions page for more information regarding the admissions process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin communicating with ESE faculty early on. This communication can determine potential matches for research advisors and home academic departments. ESE has partnerships with many of Purdue's academic departments. Students in the ESE program will also be a part of one of ESE's associated academic departments. Students will be a part of the student community in both ESE and their academic department. 

ESE students will complete degree requirements for ESE and any requirements for their home academic department. The ESE program has five theme areas that students can choose for their graduate studies in ESE. Each theme draws from several core course areas. There is flexibility built in, allowing the student and their committee to tailor their plan of study toward their specific focus or unique area of research.