Nador u. 9, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
Tel: (36-1) 327-3021
Fax: (36-1) 327-3031
Email: envsci@ceu.hu
Website: http://www.ceu.hu/envsci/

Ruben Mnatsakanian, Head of Department
Diana Urge-Vorsatz, PhD Program Director
Krisztina Szabados, Department Coordinator

For more detailed information visit the website of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy: http://www.ceu.hu/envsci/

THE MASTER'S PROGRAM

The Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy aims to create a network of collaborating scientists and environmentally-trained professionals in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It is hoped that these individuals will work together to solve environmental problems common to the region. The foundations for this network are laid by the department's Master of Science (MS) program, which provides students with a combination of scientific, technological, socio-scientific, legal and policy vocational training, preparing them for careers in a range of environmental fields. The aim is to give students an understanding of all aspects of the environment, of how to develop sound and sustainable policies, and of matters concerned with solving environmental problems.
The department emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to solving environmental problems. In order to maintain a proper cultural balance, leading environmental academics from the region, Western Europe and North America contribute to both taught curricula and fieldwork.

The Environmental Sciences and Policy Master's program is registered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York (US) for and on behalf of the New York State Education Department. It is also validated by the University of Manchester (UK).

Entry Requirements for the Master's Program
In addition to meeting the general CEU admissions requirements, applicants to the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy must write a 250-word statement on their career goals and reasons for applying to the program. Successful applicants must have at least a Bachelor's degree in degree subjects related to environmental sciences and policy. Typically these include sciences, engineering, law, geography, economics and sociology. Other first degrees such as journalism, history and computer science are also considered, although candidates holding these must demonstrate a clear commitment to the subject, usually through work experience or other extracurricular activities.

Master's Program Structure
The MS program is divided into two parts, a taught element normally extending from September until March, and a research element from April until the end of July. Due to the varied backgrounds of the students, the first aim of the taught portion is to introduce all students to the basic principles required for a full understanding of the various subject areas. This is achieved in the core course, in which attendance is mandatory. The subsequent semester of specialized study builds upon these skills by focusing on issues of prime importance in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and relating them to global problems and solutions. This section of the taught part contains a mix of compulsory material and electives, and is organized according to different study streams, emphasizing a multi- and interdisciplinary approach to topics including economic, political as well as scientific and technological control.

In the thesis research component of the course, students are given a wide choice of research project areas. Their chosen project must be completed by late July and submitted as a dissertation.

THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM

The department's PhD program (commencing in academic year 2002/2003) will offer new opportunities for environmental research in the region. The program, run in collaboration with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), offers students a combination of the interdisciplinary strengths of the Environmental Sciences and Policy Department and HAS's scientific expertise and research facilities.

The department is running two types of PhD programs: a full-time program, and a part-time program. Full-time students are expected to complete all coursework and preliminary examinations during their first year of studies, and will normally complete their dissertations in another two years. Part-time students may hold a full-time job during their PhD studies, and are allowed two years to complete their coursework and exams. Full-time students are expected to have a full commitment to their PhD studies, and are eligible for full CEU fellowships. Part-time students are eligible for full tuition waivers.

Registration of the program by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York (US) for and on behalf of the New York State Education Department is currently in progress.

Entry Requirements for the Doctoral Program
In addition to meeting the general CEU admissions requirements for doctoral programs, applicants should submit the following: a statement of purpose of not more than 500 words, describing the applicant's intellectual history and his/her purpose in applying to the department's PhD program as it relates to career goals or other future plans. A detailed research proposal of not more than 2000 words, including all key components of the proposed research at CEU, must also be submitted. Including a copy of a published journal article, book chapter or other publication by the applicant is optional.

The department's primary criteria when assessing candidates are: intellectual excellence; a high degree of academic achievement and potential; capacity to carry out interdisciplinary research at the doctoral level; compatibility between proposed research and career plans; and contribution to the diversity of academic and other backgrounds of the department's students. Applications from candidates with research interests in all areas of environmental sciences and policy are welcomed.
Doctoral Program Structure
In the first part of their studies, students must gain a total of 32 credits, awarded on the following basis:
- Mandatory taught courses (research methods; policy analysis; academic writing): 6 credits
- Elective taught courses (at least one of which must be a science course based at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences): 10 credits
- Teaching practicum: 2 credits
- Research methods practicum: 4 credits
- Research proposal and initial research: 10 credits

Students who have satisfactorily completed this part of the program must pass a comprehensive examination and successfully defend their thesis prospectus. At this point they become doctoral candidates, and from then on their task is to work in consultation with their supervisors on their doctoral research and dissertation.

Full-time students will normally complete the first part of the program and take their comprehensive examination in the first year; part-time students are expected to complete this part of the course within two years. The dissertation research period is usually about two years for full-time students, while part-time students are allowed a maximum of six years from their initial enrollment in the program (i.e., a research period of up to four years).