NEW! Microbiome Sciences Specialization in the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program
The Environmental Science Graduate Program (ESGP) is accepting applications for the NEW Microbiome Science Specialization!
Interested students should visit the ESGP website for details on how to apply to the program, including the requirement to secure an advisor from the ESGP faculty list.
Q: What is the core curriculum for ESGP students?:
- Core Course: All students take "Sustainability and the Circular Economy".
- Foundational Areas: Students choose one course from each of three pillars: Biological Science, Physical Science/Engineering, and Social Science/Policy.
- Skill Requirements: Students must take courses in Presentation Skills, Data Analysis, and (for PhDs) Grant Writing.
- View current Microbiome Science Specialization courses on the ESGP Specializations page.
Q: What is the "Interdisciplinary Project"?:
This is a mandatory project for PhD students designed to distinguish their work from discipline-based degrees.
- Structure: It must be original research (not a review) combining two foundational areas (e.g., Biological + Physical Science).
- Committee: It is supervised by the advisor and one committee member from outside the advisor's home program.
- Output: It serves as a chapter in the dissertation.
Faculty Membership & Program Overview
Derived from the presentation by Mary Gardiner (Co-Director) and Nick Basta (Co-Director).
Q: How is ESGP structured within the university?: ESGP is an interdisciplinary program that reports directly to the Graduate School rather than a specific college. It involves faculty from four colleges: Engineering, Public Health, Arts and Sciences, and Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Q: What are the benefits of becoming an ESGP faculty member?:
- Access to Students: You can recruit high-quality students with diverse academic backgrounds who are specifically looking for interdisciplinary training.
- Financial Support: The program provides two semesters of GA support (Autumn and Spring of the first year) and a summer tuition waiver for PhD students.
- Revenue Return: When students sign up for research credits or courses under your number, the revenue flows back to your home department.
Q: How do I join the ESGP faculty?: You must submit three items to the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC).
- A letter stating how joining benefits your research and training.
- A letter of support from your department chair (templates are available on the ESGP website).
Your CV. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Example letters are provided under “faculty resources” at https://esgp.osu.edu/faculty-resources/becoming-faculty
Q: What are the requirements to stay an "active" faculty member?: Faculty are reviewed every 3 years. To remain active, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Chair an ESGP student committee (have a student) within the last 5 years.
- Serve on the ESGP Graduate Studies Committee.
- Teach a foundational knowledge class AND serve on a graduate committee.
Q: How can I submit my course to be listed as a "Foundational Knowledge" class?: You must email Kelly Malone (malone.381) with your course syllabus and a letter detailing how the course meets the specific points in the ESGP course checklist.
Q: Can students apply to both ESGP and a home department simultaneously to "hedge their bets"?: While technically possible, it is strongly discouraged for fellowship nominees. If a student is nominated for a university fellowship by both programs and wins one, it can cause significant administrative conflicts. Faculty should advise students to decide on the best fit program before applying.
Q: Do ESGP students really feel like members of my home department?: Yes. Ideally, students should attend your departmental seminars and be housed in your department's graduate student offices. ESGP leadership is available to present to departments to clarify that these students are meant to be integrated into the home department's culture.
Q: Does the ESGP program compete for funding with other interdisciplinary programs?: No. ESGP funding is secured through a renewable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Graduate School and the four participating college Deans. It has a long history (active since the 90s) and distinct funding lines.
Q: When does the ESGP-provided funding occur?: The funding (GRA/GA support) covers the Autumn and Spring semesters of the first year. Faculty must provide a funding plan for the subsequent years before a student is accepted.
Q: Can the ESGP support be used for a Teaching Assistantship (TA) instead of a Research Assistantship (GRA)?: Yes, though most faculty use it for GRA to allow students to focus on research. Students can also pursue teaching certifications or electives if they wish to gain teaching experience.
Q: How do we handle funding after the first year if my department restricts TA positions to their own students (e.g., Earth Sciences)?:
This varies by department.
- Some departments allow ESGP students to TA if the faculty member brings in enough funding or teaches a large course.
- Faculty must verify their specific department's rules regarding TAs for interdisciplinary students before recruiting.
Q: Is there an internal completion fellowship for ESGP students?: No, there is no specific ESGP completion fellowship. Students are encouraged to apply for the University Presidential Fellowship or external federal grants.
https://esgp.osu.edu/faculty-resources/becoming-faculty
Q: How is ESGP structured within the university?: ESGP is an interdisciplinary program that reports directly to the Graduate School rather than a specific college. It involves faculty from four colleges: Engineering, Public Health, Arts and Sciences, and Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Q: What are the benefits of becoming an ESGP faculty member?:
- Access to Students: You can recruit high-quality students with diverse academic backgrounds who are specifically looking for interdisciplinary training.
- Financial Support: The program provides two semesters of GA support (Autumn and Spring of the first year) and a summer tuition waiver for PhD students.
- Revenue Return: When students sign up for research credits or courses under your number, the revenue flows back to your home department.
Q: How do I join the ESGP faculty?: You must submit three items to the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC):
- A letter stating how joining benefits your research and training.
- A letter of support from your department chair (templates are available on the ESGP website).
- Your CV. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Q: What are the requirements to stay an "active" faculty member?: Faculty are reviewed every 3 years. To remain active, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Chair an ESGP student committee (have a student) within the last 5 years.
- Serve on the ESGP Graduate Studies Committee.
- Teach a foundational knowledge class AND serve on a graduate committee.
Q: Do I have to teach a course to join the program?
No. Teaching is not a requirement to join or stay active, provided you are mentoring students or serving on the Graduate Studies Committee.
Q: Who attends the recruitment event in February? Only fellowship nominees?: We invite all admitted students (typically around 20), not just fellowship candidates. The event includes an overview of the curriculum, lab visits, dinner with faculty, and a campus tour.
Q: Who is the leadership team for the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program (ESGP)?: The program is led by Co-Directors Dr. Mary Gardiner and Dr. Nick Basta.