The degree is designed to create leaders in developing science-based solutions to protect public health and the environment. Students will develop a strong interdisciplinary science background—and the skills to translate that science to policy. The PhD provides expertise across chemistry, environmental science, and the biological sciences; proficiency in recognizing the societal impact of scientific findings; and skills in translating results to impactful policies related to the environment and/or human health. 

“At the College of Arts and Sciences, we recognize that the most pressing challenges of our time—whether it's infectious disease, climate change, or clean water access—demand innovative, interdisciplinary solutions,” says College of Arts and Sciences Dean Linda Aldoory. “Our new PhD will equip students with a rigorous, empirical foundation and the applied skills necessary to turn that knowledge into action. This is where science and leadership meet, and where our students will learn to make real-world impacts.”

To learn more about the degree, we sat down with Biology Professor Victoria Connaughton, the program director, to ask her a few questions about what makes this PhD so unique: 

Q. This degree is pretty unique, combining hard science with policymaking expertise. Tell us why this combination of skills is so valuable in today's world.

The issues in today’s world are complex. Effective policies must consider different lines of evidence and constituents. This is particularly important for issues related to the environment and its impact on human health. As scientists, our students learn how their research-based knowledge can be applied to socially relevant topics and integrated into decision-making processes pertinent to policymaking. 

Q. What range of scientific and policy issues will students be able to tackle with this degree?

The range of expertise and research focus of the faculty within the program is broad. From cancer to water quality, from development of sustainable materials to modeling food systems, from determination of disease mechanisms to examining satellite imagery. Though broad, these topics all relate to human and/or environmental health and their implications.  

Q. This degree is also unique because students will study biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Can you tell us more about the advantages of this?

Everything is interdisciplinary and intertwined. It is a lot easier to understand how a disease is transmitted within a population or across continents if you know what the disease does inside the body and how it travels and survives in the environment. We leverage collegiality and collaboration across these departments to address issues relevant to today’s world using an interdisciplinary approach.

Q. Can you briefly walk us through the degree and what students can expect in terms of classroom study, lab research, and the dissertation process? 

During the first year, the students complete required coursework and work with their faculty mentor to identify their dissertation project. In the second year, students take elective courses, begin their dissertation research, and complete their comprehensive exam. In year three, the students formulate their dissertation proposal. Also in year three, and after, the students are exclusively researching and working on their dissertation project, with the goal to defend their dissertation in years four and five.