PhD Environmental Sciences and Engineering at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The Ph.D., a terminal degree, is intended for incoming students with a strong background in the sciences or engineering and prepares them for careers in basic and applied research, education, or management in the field of environmental sciences and engineering. Applicants should have a strong background in the sciences, math or engineering with interest and aptitude for original and significant research; focused written statement should convey a motivation for research; strong academic record; strong letters of recommendation. 15 credits for "depth of knowledge in a discipline" (approved by candidate and committee).15

Faculty: Gillings School of Global Public Health | Department: Environmental Sciences and Engineering | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Core courses include SPHG 600 Foundations of Public Health; ENVR 400 Seminar Series (; EPID 600 Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health; ENVR 601 Epidemiology for Environmental Scientists; ENVR 703 Proposal Writing for Environmental Research; ENVR 704 Critical Analysis of Environmental Research (Must be taken twice.

Career pathways

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: Applicants should have a strong background in the sciences, math or engineering with interest and aptitude for original and significant research; focused written statement should convey a motivation for research; strong academic record; strong letters of recommendation.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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