Aug 28, 2025  
2025 - 2026 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2025 - 2026 Graduate Catalog

Environmental Sciences

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Bharat Pokharel, Ph.D.,
Interim Department Chair
Office: 112 Farrell-Westbrook Complex (615) 963-6054
bpokhare@tnstate.edu

The graduate programs in the Department of Environmental Sciences offer students a robust and contemporary curriculum that integrates 21st-century leadership skills with advanced scientific knowledge in environmental sciences. The curriculum is designed to address complex problems in soil, natural resources, environmental science, and related areas.

Students develop a comprehensive set of skills and competencies while expanding their knowledge, creativity, and scholarly experience through classroom instruction, hands-on experiential learning, and networking opportunities. These experiences prepare graduates to excel in today’s ever-demanding job market. Graduate programs in environmental sciences are tailored to prepare students for careers in forestry, agriculture, soil, geospatial, and environmental sciences. Graduates are well equipped to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in private industry, academia, and government.

The programs provide students with opportunities to engage in both basic and applied research within soil, forestry, natural resources, geospatial, and environmental sciences. Research activities address pressing challenges at local, regional, and global levels, enriching student learning and contributing to the university’s research mission.

The department administers the Certificate in Applied Geospatial Information Systems and the Master of Science (M.S.) in Environmental Science, with concentrations in Natural Resources, Plant Science, and Geospatial Sciences. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Sciences is also offered jointly with the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering.

With over a dozen faculty members representing diverse expertise and educational backgrounds, the department fosters a collaborative and innovative research environment. Six state-of-the-art research laboratories-housed in Lawson Hall Annex, the Farrell-Westbrook Agricultural Research Complex, and the Agricultural Biotechnology Building-offer advanced equipment for research in forestry, environmental sciences, soil science, and geospatial science. To further support field research, the department operates three research stations: the main campus Agricultural Research and Education Center, the Cheatham County Agricultural Demonstration and Research Center, and the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, which supervises additional field research sites.

 

Objectives

The graduate programs in the Department of Environmental Sciences are designed to prepare students to become:

  1. Develop professionals and research scholars with in-depth knowledge, skills, and expertise in the increasingly complex fields of agriculture, environmental sciences, and related disciplines.
  2. Prepare graduates capable of defining and evaluating diverse environmental and agricultural problems, conducting feasibility studies, analyzing data, and developing, implementing, and assessing evidence-based solutions.
  3. Equip students for successful and fulfilling careers in higher education, government agencies, the agricultural and environmental sectors, and international organizations engaged in environmental and sustainability issues.
  4. Train scholars to take on leadership roles within professional settings in agricultural, and environmental sciences, influencing policy, research, and practice across various sectors.
  5. Foster the ability to communicate scientific ideas and research findings effectively to diverse audiences including professionals, policymakers, academics, and the general public.
  6. Provide rigorous preparation for continued academic growth through doctoral and post-doctoral training, positioning graduates for advanced scholarship and research careers.

Programs and Degrees

The Department offers the following graduate degrees

  1. Master of Science in Environmental Sciences
  2. Graduate Certificate in Applied Geospatial Information Systems
  3. Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences*

* The Ph.D. program in Agricultural Sciences is housed within the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering and is jointly offered in collaboration with other departments in the College of Agriculture. Students with research interests in environmental sciences or related fields are eligible to enroll. Detailed admission requirements can be found on the Agricultural Sciences and Engineering department’s Ph.D. catalog pages.

Environmental Science Faculty  

Programs

    MastersCertificate

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