ECU Advantage

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Rosana Nieto Ferreira (377 Flanagan Building; 252-328-0751; ferreirar@ecu.edu)

The Integrated Coastal Sciences, PhD program is a research-intensive doctoral degree program at ECU that educates students to resolve complex problems facing coastal systems, using multidisciplinary solutions that integrate across both natural and social science disciplines.

The degree requires a minimum of 57 s.h. as follows:

1. Core - 11 s.h.
  • ICS 7003 - Natural Dimensions of Coastal Sciences
  • ICS 7005 - Human Dimensions of Coastal Management
  • ICS 7007 - Research Design in Marine and Coastal Studies

  • Choose one of the following research ethics courses: 
  • HUMS 7004 - Ethics and Research
  • KINE 7004 - Research Ethics for a Complex World
  • NURS 7004 - Research Ethics for a Complex World
2. Primary Concentration - 9 s.h. (minimum)

Select one of the following as the primary area of concentration.

    a. Coastal Natural Sciences and Engineering

    Students meet with the Dissertation Committee to determine appropriate coursework for the primary concentration. After gaining the approval of the program coordinator, the primary concentration coursework is submitted to Degree Works by way of a petition.

      b. Coastal Social and Health Sciences

      Students meet with the Dissertation Committee to determine appropriate coursework for the primary concentration. After gaining the approval of the program coordinator, the primary concentration coursework is submitted to Degree Works by way of a petition.

        Note:

        Core courses do not count toward the 9 s.h. (minimum) primary concentration requirement.

        3. Research Methods - 3 s.h.

        An additional 3 s.h. of coursework related to the student's methodology and practical skills relevant to their dissertation research as determined by the student's dissertation committee.

          4. Secondary Concentration - 6 s.h. (minimum)

          Select the concentration not chosen as the primary concentration.

            a. Coastal Natural Sciences and Engineering

            Students meet with the Dissertation Committee to determine appropriate coursework for the secondary concentration. After gaining the approval of the program coordinator, the secondary concentration coursework is submitted to Degree Works by way of a petition.

              b. Coastal Social and Health Sciences

              Students meet with the Dissertation Committee to determine appropriate coursework for the secondary concentration. After gaining the approval of the program coordinator, the secondary concentration coursework is submitted to Degree Works by way of a petition.

                Note:

                Core courses do not count toward the 6 s.h. (minimum) secondary concentration requirement.

                5. Integrative Coursework - 6 s.h.
                • ICS 8000 - Integrative Problem Solving in Coastal Sciences I
                • ICS 8001 - Integrative Problem Solving in Coastal Sciences II
                6. Dissertation - 22 s.h. (minimum)
                • ICS 9000 - Dissertation
                For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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