Interdisciplinary Concentration in Wetland Sciences / GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN WETLAND SCIENCES 

Interdisciplinary Concentration in Wetland Sciences (ICWS)

Introduction

The goal of the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Wetland Sciences (ICWS) is to establish a standard set of courses and activities that provides students with knowledge and experience that complement their majors with preparation for wetland-related careers. Students meeting the curriculum requirements will receive official recognition of having completed the ICWS by a statement on their transcript. The ICWS is appropriate for degree-seeking graduate students who are completing a thesis or dissertation as part of their graduate program. Non-thesis and non-degree-seeking students should instead explore the Graduate Certificate in Wetlands Sciences (GCWS). Note that ICWS credits cannot be used to earn the GCWS at a later date.

The multidisciplinary nature of wetland science and management requires that educational programs in wetlands include the cooperative efforts of various natural science disciplines (e.g., limnology, ecology, pedology, botany), engineering disciplines (e.g. environmental, agricultural, civil), social sciences (e.g., resource economics, political science), and law. The emphasis of the ICWS is to ensure that students gain a solid understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of wetland processes occurring at a broad range of spatial and temporal scales, as well as develop skills in wetland management and policy. To address existing and emerging issues related to wetland science and policy, the program emphasizes broad training and recognizes the inherent diversity of academic backgrounds and professional goals of students, but not at the expense of rigor in specific areas of expertise. Flexibility in course selection is thus an essential feature of the program, allowing students to develop individualized academic plans of study.

Course and Research Requirements 

Check the UF Course Schedule to see when each course is offered and to check for pre-requisites.

WETLANDS RESEARCH (2 credits)

  • Two credit hours of research are required for the Concentration. Candidates may fulfill this requirement with thesis/dissertation research, individual work, supervised research, or a special topics course dealing with wetlands.

WETLANDS CORE COURSES (required, 10 credits)

  • ENV 6935/SWS 6932: Water, Wetlands, and Watersheds Seminar (1 credit, available online)
  • SWS 5248: Wetlands and Water Quality (3 credits, available online) – OR – EES 6309 Wetland Design and Restoration (3 credits, available online)
  • ENV 6508 Wetland Hydrology (3 credits, available online)
  • SWS 6448 Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems (3 credits, available online)

POLICY / LAW (select 1 course)

  • ENV 5075 Environmental Policy (3 credits)
  • FNR 6669: Policy and Economics of Natural Resources (3 credits, available online)
  • LAA 6382 Ecological and Environmental Policy (3 credits)
  • LAW 6471 Environmental Law (3 credits)
  • LAW 6472 Natural Resources Law (3 credits)
  • LAW 6930 Conservation Clinic (3-6 credits)

ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS / METHODS (select 1 course)

  • BOT 5695C Ecosystems of Florida (3-4 credits)
  • EES 6309 Wetland Design and Restoration (3 credits)
  • EES 6307 Advanced Ecological Engineering (3 credits)
  • EES 5305C Ecological and General Systems (3 credits)
  • EES 6335 Springs Ecosystems (3 credits)
  • ENV 6932 Coastal Systems (3 credits)
  • PCB 5307C Limnology (4 credits)
  • PCB 5338 Principles of Ecosystem Ecology (3 credits, available online)
  • SWS 5235 South Florida Ecosystems (3 credits)
  • FNR 6564 Ecohydrology (3 credits)
  • SWS 5247 Hydric Soils (2 credits)
  • WIS 6934 Wetlands Management and Restoration (3 credits)

Admission and Requirements  

Students wishing to participate in the ICWS should notify the Graduate Coordinator and/or academic student services office in their academic department as early in their graduate program as possible. To participate, a student must be admitted and enrolled in one of the academic units participating in the ICWS: Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Botany, Civil Engineering, College of Law, Environmental Engineering Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Geography, Geology, Landscape Architecture, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Soil and Water Sciences, Urban and Regional Planning, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and Zoology. Students will complete the concentration for either the Master’s or Ph.D., but not for both degrees if awarded at the University of Florida.

 Application Process

  • To apply, students must be enrolled as a graduate student in a department that participates in the ICWS (see list above)
  • Students should apply to the ICWS as soon as possible, but applications will be accepted up to the degree application deadline of the term in which the student plans to graduate.
  • The following information is required to apply: name, UF email, UFID, Department and College, degree track (Master’s thesis, Master’s non-thesis, or PhD), advisor’s name and email, Thesis/Dissertation/Paper title, planned graduation date, and contact information for your department’s Graduate Coordinator or academic student services office
  • To complete the application, CLICK HERE.
  • For any questions on how to apply, send an email to gradinfo@essie.ufl.edu.

Contact

If you have additional questions about course content or certificate requirements, contact Dr. David Kaplan, Director of the Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands at dkaplan@ufl.edu

Graduate Certificate in Wetland Sciences (GCWS)

Introduction

The goal of the Graduate Certificate in Wetland Sciences (GCWS) is to establish a standard set of courses and activities that provide students with knowledge and experience that complement their majors with preparation for wetland-related careers. The GCWS is aimed primarily at non-thesis and non-degree-seeking students. Students pursuing research-based graduate degrees (MS or PhD) may apply for the GCWS, but the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Wetland Sciences (ICWS) is likely more appropriate. Note that GCWS credits cannot be used to earn the ICWS at a later date.

The multidisciplinary nature of wetland science and management requires that educational programs in wetlands include the cooperative efforts of various natural science disciplines (e.g., limnology, ecology, pedology, botany), engineering disciplines (e.g. environmental, agricultural, civil), social sciences (e.g., resource economics, political science), and law. The emphasis of the ICWS is to ensure that students gain a solid understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of wetland processes occurring at a broad range of spatial and temporal scales, as well as develop skills in wetland management and policy. To address existing and emerging issues related to wetland science and policy, the program emphasizes broad training and recognizes the inherent diversity of academic backgrounds and professional goals of students, but not at the expense of rigor in specific areas of expertise. Flexibility in course selection is thus an essential feature of the program, allowing students to develop individualized academic plans of study.

Course and Research Requirements 

Check the UF Course Schedule to see when each course is offered and to check for pre-requisites.

WETLANDS CORE COURSES (required, 10 credits)

  • ENV 6935/SWS 6932: Water, Wetlands, and Watersheds Seminar (1 credit, available online)
  • SWS 5248: Wetlands and Water Quality (3 credits, available online) – OR – EES 6309 Wetland Design and Restoration (3 credits, available online)
  • ENV 6508 Wetland Hydrology (3 credits, available online)
  • SWS 6448 Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems (3 credits, available online)

POLICY / LAW (select 1 course)

  • ENV 5075 Environmental Policy (3 credits)
  • FNR 6669: Policy and Economics of Natural Resources (3 credits, available online)
  • LAA 6382 Ecological and Environmental Policy (3 credits)
  • LAW 6471 Environmental Law (3 credits)
  • LAW 6472 Natural Resources Law (3 credits)
  • LAW 6930 Conservation Clinic (3-6 credits)

ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS / METHODS (select 1 course)

  • BOT 5695C Ecosystems of Florida (3-4 credits)
  • EES 6309 Wetland Design and Restoration (3 credits)
  • EES 6307 Advanced Ecological Engineering (3 credits)
  • EES 5305C Ecological and General Systems (3 credits)
  • EES 6335 Springs Ecosystems (3 credits)
  • ENV 6932 Coastal Systems (3 credits)
  • PCB 5307C Limnology (4 credits)
  • PCB 5338 Principles of Ecosystem Ecology (3 credits, available online)
  • SWS 5235 South Florida Ecosystems (3 credits)
  • FNR 6564 Ecohydrology (3 credits)
  • SWS 5247 Hydric Soils (2 credits)
  • WIS 6934 Wetlands Management and Restoration (3 credits)

Admission and Requirements  

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. Students without a background in environmental science or engineering, soil and water science, geology, natural resources, biology, ecology, hydrology, microbiology, horticultural science, agricultural engineering, agronomy or a related field may require pre-requisite courses to enroll in the courses that make up the GCWS curriculum (listed below). Interested students should review the course list and associated pre-requisites before applying to the GCWS. After obtaining the certificate, students who later enroll in a graduate degree program may petition to transfer up to 15 UF graduate-level credit hours (grade B or better, B- or lower is not applicable) to their graduate degree program (but not the ICWS). To obtain this certificate, students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 after completing all required courses. A grade of C in one course only will be accepted, providing the overall 3.0 average is maintained.

Application Process

  • To apply, students will submit an undergraduate transcript, curriculum vitae (CV), and a letter of recommendation from a supervisor, academic advisor, or other reference.
  • For currently enrolled UF students, apply here. You will need your GatorLink username and password to apply.
  • New students should apply here.
  • For any questions on how to apply, send an email to gradinfo@essie.ufl.edu.

Certificate Completion

  • Students must apply to receive a Graduate Certificate by the degree application deadline of the term in which they plan to complete the certificate program requirements.
  • Graduate Certificates will be awarded after successful completion of the program and will be posted to the academic transcript. The Office of the University Registrar will print and distribute Graduate Certificates to the recipients.
  • Students must be registered during the term in which they receive the Graduate Certificate.

Please notify ESSIE Academic Programs (gradinfo@essie.ufl.edu) after you complete the application so your admission can be processed.

Contact

If you have additional questions about course content or certificate requirements, contact Dr. David Kaplan, Director of the Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands at dkaplan@ufl.edu.