Graduate applicants must be admitted by both the department and the Graduate School.

Recipients of MS degrees from the ESS Department who wish to continue in a PhD program must reapply to the Department. The application will consist of the student’s existing file plus a personal essay describing the PhD program the student wishes to pursue, and one or more letters of recommendation, including one from the student’s graduate advisor for the MS degree.

CSU’s application process and portal can be found here.

It is your responsibility to take steps to establish residency immediately upon arrival in Colorado and before the start of the first semester to avoid being charged out-of-state tuition starting in the second year. The university’s tuition premium program covers out-of-state tuition for domestic, non-resident graduate research assistants (GRAs) in just the first year of enrollment. International GRAs receive the tuition premium through their entire tenure. If you do not establish residency by your second year of enrollment, you will be required to pay the difference between non-resident and resident tuition during the second year and thereafter.

To change a student’s grade in a course after the final grade has been entered in ARIESweb and rolled to academic history, log into ARIESweb and, under Instructor Tools, select Grade Change. This will bring up a page with all the sections for which you were assigned as an instructor since Fall 2007. Follow the instructions at the top of the page to initiate a grade change for a student.

To change a student’s grade for a term before Fall 2007, a paper Grade Change Form will need to be completed. These forms are available through your department. If your department does not have any, the Office of the Registrar can provide some as well.

New students will find valuable information in the current students section of the Graduate School website. There are several things that new graduate students should do right away: 

• Review important steps for newly admitted graduate students. 
• Establish Colorado Residency.

Advising Students for Course Registration:

• Get Your NetID
  • You must have your NetID before you can register for classes.
  • Get it here: https://eid.colostate.edu
• Late Registration Fee
  • If you register on or after the first day of the semester, you’ll be charged a $50 late registration fee.
• Where to Register
  • Use RamWeb to register for classes and view your schedule.
• On-Campus vs Online Registration
  • On-campus students 
  • Online students: Note: Graduate students do not need to complete the “Registration Ready” section. 
• Course Catalog
  • Use the catalog to explore courses, but confirm offerings in “Plan Ahead” before registering.
• Course Numbers and Sections
  • Graduate courses are numbered 500 and above.
  • Some 400-level courses may count towards your degree.
  • 100-300 level courses do not count, but you can still take them.
  • Section numbers indicate delivery type:
    • 001 = in-person
    • 401 = online/hybrid
    • 801 = CSU online
• Prerequisites
  • Check all prerequisites before registering. If you are unsure if you meet them, email the course instructor.
  • Overrides can be given in special cases
• Multiple Course Sections
  • Courses may often include a lecture + a lab + a recitation, make sure to register for all required parts of the course at the same time! This can be tricky, so contact the course instructor and/or your advisor for assistance if needed!
• Variable Credit Courses
  • Courses like research, thesis, independent study, group study, and supervised teaching require departmental approval and an override. Email our ESS Graduate Coordinator for permission: [email protected]

Please include your Net ID when requesting support.

• Course Overrides
  • Instructor Override Requests should go to the course instructor directly.
  • Department Overrides requests should go to [email protected], and copy in the instructor and the student’s advisor.
• Credit Overloads
  • Graduate students are limited to a maximum credit load of 15 credits per semester.
  • Credit Overload requests should go to the Graduate Coordinator and copy in the student’s advisor.
    • Graduate Coordinator will submit overload requests for 16-18 credits go through the Registrar.
    • Graduate Coordinator will submit overload requests above 18 credits go through the Graduate School.
• Variable Credits – All Group Study, Research, Thesis, and Dissertation credits automatically revert to just (1) credit, please follow instructions to update.
  • Group Study, Research, Thesis, and Dissertation are variable credit courses and will always require an override for registration.
  • The Graduate Coordinator must always be informed of these variable credit courses so that we can ensure the person supervising your credits is entered into the system.
• Late Registration
  • Registering after Add/Drop requires a Dynamic Form that must go through several channels and may require additional fees. Registering before Add/Drop is advised to save time, money, and stress.

Course Section Numbers – what do they mean? Complete and detailed information is available here.

• 001 or other courses that start with a double zero (00X) are scheduled as in-person and are the most common section types you will see
• 401 or other courses that start with a 4 (4XX) are courses that will meet online instead of in-person, but they are designed for students in on-campus degree programs
• 801 or other courses
• RXX are Recitations
• LXX are Labs

If your student needs to register for a variable course or supervised course such as Thesis or Dissertation credits, please:

• Email [email protected].
• Include yours and the student’s Net ID.
• Follow the instructions to update variable course credits as needed.
• Allow sufficient time before deadlines when making your requests.

• Late Registration
  • Waiting too long to register or set a meeting with an Advisor to discuss classes can have negative implications for your student’s financial aid, cause issues with teaching assistantships, leave them without a seat if the course capacity is limited, and have them pay late fees. Planning is a great way to prevent unnecessary stress.
• Continuous Enrollment
  • Per Graduate School policy, students must be continuously enrolled in a degree program every fall and spring semester as well as during the semester they plan to complete their degree, which includes the summer semester. To remain continuously enrolled, students may register for any graduate credit-bearing course, or they must register for Continuous Registration (CR). Students enrolled in CR do not qualify for Graduate Assistantships. If they are on a GRA or apply to be a GTA, they must be enrolled in at least one credit.
• Overrides
  • Per Graduate School policy, students must be continuously enrolled in a degree program every fall and spring semester as well as during the semester they plan to complete their degree, which includes the summer semester. To remain continuously enrolled, students may register for any graduate credit-bearing course, or they must register for Continuous Registration (CR). Students enrolled in CR do not qualify for Graduate Assistantships. If they are on a GRA or apply to be a GTA, they must be enrolled in at least one credit.
• Catalog Inaccuracies
  • Assuming everything in the catalog is offered every semester can be dangerous, as the catalog updates are often behind. Although the catalog can help determine what courses could be available, actual course offerings can vary for many reasons. It is best to keep plans flexible and wait until Plan Ahead opens to finalize selections.

• As a reminder to all students and faculty, we must handle hazardous waste with care to ensure the safety of our labs and maintain the privilege of operating here on campus. Improper disposal of potentially hazardous materials can jeopardize the University’s ability to continue this important work.
• If you or your students regularly handle hazardous waste, please ensure you are up-to-date on your hazardous waste training. If you’re unsure about how to properly dispose of waste, or if you’re new to handling hazardous materials, we strongly encourage you to take the appropriate training.
• For any questions or guidance, please reach out to Rod Simpson (Ecocore Business Manager) or Dan Reuss (Analytical Facilities Manager), who are available to assist you.

And always remember: When in doubt, don’t toss it out! Proper disposal is essential for maintaining safety and compliance in our labs. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

• The ESS department has two large conference rooms available for reservation:
  • B218 Swift and B215 Clark.
  • There is an additional conference room in the main graduate office, A105.
• There is a convenient, small bookable space available for private calls or meetings: NESB B247.
• All NESB conference rooms can be reserved using Microsoft Teams/Outlook calendar.
• All Warner faculty and staff are also welcome to utilize conference spaces in the Michael Smith Natural Resources Bldg.

• NESB Printing Overview
  • Main printer/scanner: NESB B209 (large color copier)
  • Extra printer: NESB A216 (small black & white)
  • Student printers: NESB A105 & A216 (use WCNR student print system)
• Student Printing (Warner College)
  • Print in any WCNR lab (Michael Smith Natural Resources building)
  • Labs have black & white and color printers
  • Select the correct printer when printing in color
• Plotter Printing (Posters, Maps, etc.)
  • Only in CAL Lab (MSNR 107A)
  • Bring CSU ID card and a USB with PDF file
  • Ask CAL lab desk staff for help
• Other Printers & Scanners
  • Coin/card printers in Morgan Library and Lory Student Center
• NESB Billing Setup
  • We use print queues for billing instead of project codes
  • Print to specific queues like wcnr-ess-b209-1 or wcnr-el-b209-1
  • Same device, different billing depending on queue
  • Charges are split by usage at year-end
• Windows Setup (WCNR domain)
  • Printers auto-install if on the WCNR domain
  • If not, go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners → Add printer → “The printer I want isn’t listed” → “Select a shared printer by name”
  • Enter: \\print.warnercnr.colostate.edu\
• Printer Queues
  • NREL (EL):
    \\print.warnercnr.colostate.edu\WCNR-EL-A216-1
\\print.warnercnr.colostate.edu\WCNR-EL-B209-1
\\print.warnercnr.colostate.edu\WCNR-EL-B209-BW-1

  • ESS:
    \\print.warnercnr.colostate.edu\WCNR-ESS-A216-1
\\print.warnercnr.colostate.edu\WCNR-ESS-B209-1
\\print.warnercnr.colostate.edu\WCNR-ESS-B209-BW-1

  • A216 = small black & white printer

  • B209 = large Xerox copier (use BW option for cheaper printing)

• Mac, Linux, and Non-Domain Setup
  • Visit https://col.st/jWvnj
  • Click “Connect and Get My Printers”
  • Click “Open PaperCut Mobility Print Client”
  • Wait ~5 minutes for all printers to install
  • Remove extras by going to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners → Remove Device
• Login Info
  • Use [email protected] (not email)
  • Password = your NetID password
  • NetIDs may be alphabetical (old) or numeric (new)

• CSU AAR – Administrative Applications and Resources – links out to Aries, Banner, HR, KFS, KR, TMS, and TimeClock Plus/Manager
• CSU Acronym List
• CSU Bookstore
• CSU Library
• Provost site for Faculty Policies Forms and Resources – includes a significant amount of resources for faculty, including the Academic Faculty Manual, Provost Calendar, Promotion and Tenure, Sabbatical, and much more.
• Warner College of Natural Resources website
• Ecosystem Science and Sustainability website

• The University will use the mailing address, telephone number, and email address associated with your eID to contact you regarding course details, important deadlines, and other information.
• Each semester, please check your contact information in RamWeb and update it as needed.
• To change your information, after logging in to RamWeb, use the links under “Records” on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.

Instructions on updating your Gender and/or Name Preferences.

• Alumni Information to Nikki Foxley: [email protected]
  For any updates, announcements, or inquiries related to alumni, including alumni events, outreach efforts, or maintaining alumni records, please direct all information to Nikki. This helps centralize alumni-related communications and ensures timely follow-up and consistency.
• General Department Info, Events, and Graduate Student-Specific Information to Morgan: [email protected]
  Morgan is the primary point of contact for general department-wide communications, event planning and coordination, and graduate student-specific matters. Whether it’s sharing departmental news, scheduling events, addressing graduate student needs, or managing departmental communications, Morgan ensures this information is effectively shared. Additionally, Morgan oversees the department’s website and social media updates and is the main contact for multimedia communications, including social media, SOURCE articles, press releases, and other related content.
• Undergraduate Student Information to Kaye: [email protected]
  All information, updates, or inquiries specific to undergraduate students should be directed to Kaye. This includes advising updates, undergraduate events, or academic concerns. Kaye focuses on supporting and communicating with undergraduate students, ensuring their needs are addressed efficiently.

Not sure who to contact about those questions? Take a look at this document for an outline of who does what in ESS. For further inquiries, please refer to the WCNR Directory.

See below for a link to the ESS Course Syllabi Archive, featuring syllabi dating back to 2021.

• ESS Course Syllabi Archive

ESS Department List Servs:

• [email protected] – This list serv includes all ESS Faculty plus Kaye, Anika, Nikki, Rita, Lauren, and Morgan; we manually add/remove folks from this list. Anyone should be able to send an email to this list, but we kindly ask that departmental communications, events, and opportunities be distributed via the Communication Channels to prevent overuse.
• [email protected] – This list serv includes all ESS Faculty. This list is generated automatically by Oracle and is restricted to WCNR IT, ESS Faculty.
• [email protected] – This list serv includes ALL ESS Faculty and Staff, including post-Docs. This list is generated automatically by Oracle and is restricted to WCNR IT, Rich, Morgan, and Lauren.
• [email protected] – This list serv goes out to all ESS-advised graduate students. If you have events, job opportunities, or other information for grad students, please send them to Kaye, Nikki, and/or Morgan.

ESS Incoming Email Addresses:

• [email protected] – General graduate program inquiries; monitored by Lauren as Grad Coordinator with backup support by Nikki.
• [email protected] – General ESS inquiries and/or undergrad program inquiries; monitored by Lauren as Admin with backup support by Nikki; front office students will be taking this over. Restricted to those on the listserv + Morgan, Rich, Nathan, Lauren

All Faculty Affiliate requests should be submitted via email to our ESS Administrative Assistant Heather Pollard: [email protected], and should include:

• Faculty Affiliate Form with the top portion filled out completely
• Recent CV for prospective Affiliate
• Brief Justification (Serving on student committees, research collaboration, etc.)

Specific Contacts

• HR, IT, Travel, and Purchasing Requests
  • Go through the WCNR Central Team. See the Technical Support, HR Support, and Fiscal Support tabs for more info.
• Prospective Undergraduate Students
  • Contact Carmyn Ginnetti | 📧 [email protected] | 📞 (970) 491-3613
• Undergraduate Students Switching to ESS
  • Contact ESS Peer Mentor Amelia Anderson

ESS Staff

• Nikki Foxley – Academic Success Coordinator, ESS Committee Rep
  📧 [email protected]
  Contact Nikki for:
  • Undergraduate advising
  • AMP-PSM, GIS, Diversity & Inclusion Minor
  • Graduate Certificate Advising
  • Alumni communications
  • Community belonging ideas or concerns
• Kaye Holman – ESS Instructor, Academic Success/Internship Coordinator, WCNR Learning Communities Director
  📧 [email protected]
  Contact Kaye for:
  • Undergraduate advising
  • Internship advising, enrollment & instruction
  • ESS communications/news
  • Warner Learning Community
• Lauren Hibbard – Office Manager, Graduate Coordinator, Department Comms/Marketing
  📧 [email protected]
  Contact Lauren for:
  • Department marketing or communications
  • Course overrides
  • Digital content
  • Event, seminar, and graduate defense support
  • ESS graduate application processing
  • Outreach support
• Morgan Gardner – Department Communications Coordinator
  📧 [email protected]
  Contact Morgan for:
  • Marketing/communications strategy
  • Digital content, social media, digital screens
  • Photography, videography, editing
  • Event planning and promotion
  • Website maintenance and SEO
  • Storytelling, press releases, newsletters
  • Community belonging and advocacy
  • Carbon Management (TUNE) communications
• Heather Pollard – Administrative Assistant
  📧 [email protected]
  Contact Heather for:
  • Affiliate/associate requests
  • Course scheduling, instructor entry, textbook adoption
  • Key/space requests
  • Onboarding/offboarding
  • Syllabus retention
  • HR and financial questions
  • Promotion, tenure, sabbatical support
  • Inventory management
  • Pre-proposal and research support

The WCNR Intranet is the primary resource for Fiscal Actions – a link to the Intranet is found at the bottom of any WCNR website

Purchasing

• To perform a request, click here to access the WCNR Intranet, select Business Office, then select Purchasing Request.
• Types of Purchases:
  • Items to Order: Purchases will be made by WCNR Budget on your behalf. Please attach a quote or link to the product and include an account number.
  • PCard Purchases: Submit a scanned PDF within 2 weeks of any PCard purchase.
    • For a quick reference guide on how to use a University PCard, click here.
  • Motor Pool: Business-related vehicles rented through CSU – requires MVR check.
  • Reimburse Vendor: Purchase has been made on account/credit, and the invoice is attached.
  • Personal Reimbursements: Personal purchases should be made only if other methods are not possible. Reimbursements cannot exceed $1,000 per 30-day period. Receipts required.
  • Direct Billing: The Purchase will be made directly by the requester upon approval.

Travel

• To perform a travel request, access the WCNR Intranet, select Business Office, then select Travel Request.
• CSU Travel Quick Guide
• Submit pre-travel requests as soon as you know you will be traveling, even if it’s no cost to CSU.
  • If a Travel Advance is needed, detail that you are in need of a TA within the memo box on the intranet form. The College will then reach out to you if it needs further information to submit this request on your behalf.
• All post-travel requests must be completed and approved within 60 days of the travel end date.
• Submit scanned copies of all receipts.
• Travel Services site offers lots of detailed instructions and resources
• It is required to use CSU-approved travel Agents to book flights:
  • Frosch – 970.223.0442 – [email protected]
  • Travel Society – 303.321.0900 – [email protected]
• International Travel policies and procedures can vary greatly, Please review CSU resources here.
  • You can contact [email protected] for questions and assistance related to personal/group travel.

After submitting an intranet request, to follow up on a request or for further questions relating to finance or travel, please reach out to Heather Pollard, [email protected]

The WCNR Intranet is the primary resource for HR/Technical Actions – a link to the Intranet is found at the bottom of any WCNR website! 

• To perform a request, log in to the WCNR Intranet, select Business Office, then select HR Request
  • Types of requests that go through the HR portal: New Hires, All GRA/GTA actions, Summer Salary, Supplemental Pay, Position/Supervisor update requests
• Always submit with plenty of time to allow for processing – most HR actions require review from the WCNR Fiscal Team before the HR team will receive it in their queue.
• Employees are not allowed to work prior to being fully approved by HR.
• Email: [email protected]

After submitting an HR request through the intranet, to follow up on a request or for further questions relating to HR, please reach out to Heather Pollard, [email protected]

For all other technical support and WCNR-specific resources, visit the Services Portal.

• All faculty should have a key to access the building, 2nd floor, and your office space – if you do not, or if you need additional keys, please let Heather Pollard, [email protected], know as soon as possible!
• Graduate student keys should be requested from the ESS Main Office
  • If keys are required for additional spaces or labs within NESB, please ask your advisor to contact the ESS Main Office.
• Interns, Affiliates/Associate Scientists, and Student Hourly employees are not allotted space or keys in NESB.

• To address on-campus mail, include the recipient’s name, followed by their department and the department code. The department code is also the last four digits of the department zip code.
• For example, the ESS Department zip code is 80523-1476, so the department code is To send on campus mail to Rich Conant, you would address it: Rich Conant, ESS, 1476. The outgoing mail bin in NESB is located on the second floor, directly outside of the elevator.
• Off-campus mail must have appropriate postage; on-campus mail does not need to be stamped. To receive mail, use the following address: 1476 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523.
• Transtream is CSU’s Multi-Carrier Shipping Software. From this application you can pre-ship your package(s) by creating a Shipment Request Form for FedEx, UPS, DHL, and USPS that is then processed by our Shipping Desk & Mail Services team. This system is open to all Faculty, Staff, & Student Employees shipping for CSU business only. No personal packages are allowed at this time. Transteam can be located here.

Natural and Environmental Sciences Building, First Floor
1231 Libbie Coy Way, Office A104

(970)-491-5589

[email protected] 

Building Emergencies

• Please call 970-491-0077 to reach Facilities Dispatch
• Building Maintenance or other non-urgent issues should be reported to the Building Proctors:
• Proctor: Ty Boyack, NREL | [email protected]
• Assistant Proctor: Heather Pollard, ESS | [email protected] 

NESB Labs
For NESB Lab assistance, please reach out to either:

• Dan Reuss
  Analytic Facilities Manager | [email protected] 
• Rod Simpson
  Research and Eco-Core Business Manager | [email protected] 

The MS in ESS provides students with the training to develop and implement solutions to global problems related to water resources, food supplies, energy, greenhouse gas management, land use change, and climate change.

A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete the MS program.

• All students admitted to a graduate degree program at CSU must be continuously registered in the fall and spring semesters throughout their degree programs, including the graduation term.
• This means you must register for at least one credit or for Continuous Registration (CR) each fall and spring semester. Learn more about continuous registration policies.
• If you graduate during a summer term, you must also register for one credit or CR during that summer term.

• MS students are expected to complete the MS degree requirements within three years of beginning graduate study.
• If a student’s program of study will take longer than this, the student must submit a projected timeline that includes measurable goals and is approved by their advisor and committee. A signed copy of this agreement will be placed in the student’s department file.
• The Graduate School imposes a 10-year time limit for completion of the MS degree.

Semester 1

• Develop coursework plan with advisor and enroll in first courses
• Discuss potential graduate committee members
• Discuss plan for thesis project with advisor
• Review thesis topic literature

Semester 2

• Develop coursework plan with advisor and enroll in first courses
• Discuss potential graduate committee members
• Discuss plan for thesis project with advisor
• Review thesis topic literature

Semester 3

• Complete research
• Perform data analysis

Semester 4

• Begin to write thesis
• Draft manuscript(s) for journal submission

Semester 4+

• Complete thesis and defend
• Submit manuscript(s) for publication
• Present results at a professional meeting, if applicable

• Review the steps to your master’s degree during an initial meeting with your department advisor, and/or program coordinator.
• Your advisor can help you determine if your master’s program is a Master’s Thesis — Plan A, Master’s Non-Thesis — Plan B, or a Master’s Coursework Only — Plan C program. You can also identify your program by reviewing the University Requirements page.
• Subsequent meetings are normally necessary as you progress to degree completion. Advisors, departments, and programs may also have additions or modifications to the steps in this guide.

• All research graduate students (MS/PhD, regardless of graduate program) and postdocs in the department are required, by their second semester, to prepare an Individual Development Plan (IDP), schedule and discuss their IDP with their advisor, and send their IDP to the staff Graduate Coordinator to keep on file with the Department.
• Every year, students/postdocs must update their IDP, discuss it with their advisor, and update the IDP on file with the Department. For most students and postdocs, IDPs should be prepared and/or updated in January/February of each year for consistency with staff annual reviews; however, deviations from this timeline can be made upon joint agreement between the student, advisor, and Graduate Coordinator.
• Students/postdocs and advisors can decide on the IDP template that best fits their needs; however, the IDP must include research and educational planning sections, a skills self-assessment, and mentoring.
• Download the GDPE IDP, or consider one of many other IDP options.

• Good Academic Standing
  • To meet the requirements for graduation, to remain in good academic standing, and to avoid academic probation and dismissal, CSU graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 in several categories (overall course GPA, regular course GPA, program of study overall GPA, and program of study regular GPA). Grades of C or better must also be earned on all courses on the Program of Study (GS6 form).
  • See the Graduate and Professional Bulletin for more information.
  • Good academic standing also requires satisfactory progress in the graduate program, based on the graduate advisory committee’s assessment of academic performance and promise.
• Appeals
  • Graduate students may appeal decisions concerning unsatisfactory performance on graduate preliminary or final examinations, academic probation (for reasons of unsatisfactory progress toward the degree other than insufficient grade point average), termination of an assistantship for reasons of unsatisfactory performance, or dismissal from the graduate program.
  • For details, see the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
• Time Limits
  • CSU has a ten-year time limit for completion of master’s and doctoral degrees. Courses used to fulfill degree requirements, including any transferred from another institution, must have been registered for and completed within the ten years immediately preceding the date of completion of requirements for the degree.

The PhD program is based on an area of specialization in research and intensive course work. A PhD program often requires five years of full-time work beyond the bachelor’s degree, or three years beyond the MS degree to complete.

A minimum of 72 semester credits beyond the bachelor’s degree at the 400-level or higher are required to complete the PhD, with a maximum of 30 credits accepted from a master’s degree.

• The graduate committee may set additional requirements, depending on the student’s background and interests.
• Many students take more than the minimum requirements, because they wish to pursue special fields in greater depth.
• The graduate committee may feel that the student needs broader exposure, experiences, or complementary coursework to bolster their education.
• Because students on assistantships agree to commit part of their time to required duties, they may need more time to meet degree requirements.

• All students admitted to a graduate degree program at CSU must be continuously registered in the fall and spring semesters throughout their degree programs, including the graduation term.
• This means you must register for at least one credit or for Continuous Registration (CR) each fall and spring semester. Learn more about continuous registration policies here.
• If you graduate during a summer term, you must also register for one credit or CR during that summer term.

• PhD students typically complete their degree in 5 additional years of study beyond their bachelor’s.
• PhD students are required to submit an approved proposal within a year after being admitted to candidacy. If a student’s program of study will take longer than this, the student must submit a projected timeline that includes measurable goals and is approved by their advisor and committee. A copy of this signed agreement will be placed in the student’s department file.
• The Graduate School imposes a 10-year time limit for completion of the PhD.

Semester 1

• Develop coursework plan with advisor and enroll in first courses
• Discuss potential graduate committee members
• Discuss a plan for dissertation project
• Review dissertation topic literature

Semester 2

• Select graduate committee members
• Prepare research proposal
• Hold committee meeting to approve research study plan
• Submit GS6 form outlining coursework and committee members (must be done by the 3^rd semester to register for the 4^th semester)

Semester 3

• Initiate research and data collection
• NOTE: Graduate students must select their graduate committee and submit a GS Form 6 before registration begins for their fourth regular Failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on their account that prevents them from registering for their fourth semester.

Semester 4

• Conduct research and data analysis
• Disseminate results at professional meetings, if applicable
• Prepare for prelim exam

Semester 5

• Conduct research and data analysis
• Disseminate results at professional meetings, if applicable
• Take preliminary examination
• Continue dissertation work

Semesters 6-9

• Complete research and data analysis
• Begin to draft dissertation and manuscripts for journal submission
• Present research progress to committee

Semester 10

• Complete and defend dissertation in public seminar
• Submit manuscripts for publication
• Present results at a professional meeting

Review all the steps to complete your PhD in an initial meeting with your department advisor and/or program coordinator. Subsequent meetings are normally necessary as you progress to degree completion. 

• About the Preliminary Exam
  • Students pursuing a PhD must pass a Preliminary Exam. The goal of the preliminary exam is to help the student think both broadly and deeply about their dissertation topic and related literature, with the scope of the topics defined by the student’s doctoral committee.
  • The ESS department’s recommended time frame for completing the prelim exam is in the fifth semester, before beginning the research-intensive portion of the degree. While there is flexibility in when to take the exam, the Graduate School requires that it be completed at least two semesters before the final exam/defense. Students are encouraged to start discussions with their advisor and committee members about the exam format and exam scheduling a semester before taking the exam.
  • Prior to taking the exam, students must ensure their committee membership is up to date with the Graduate School. Students should also ensure the committee agrees with the proposed scope of the dissertation prior to the exam; this is typically accomplished through working with the student’s PhD advisor and presenting a dissertation scope of work in a committee meeting.
  • The format of the exam (and the steps leading up to the exam) will be decided based on mutual consensus among the doctoral student’s committee. The information here describes a typical approach in ESS.
  • Discuss with your advisor and committee how the exam will be structured, as this can vary based on discipline and degree program.
• Written Portion
  • Each committee member provides a set of questions relevant to the doctoral student’s educational training that are meant to be answered in a single day. An exam in this format takes place over 4-5 days, with each day focusing on the questions from one committee member.
• Oral Portion
  • The oral portion of the exam follows the written portion, typically within 10 days, and committee members typically question the student on topics covered in the written portion.
• GS16 Preliminary Exam Form
  • Upon completing the exam, the GS16 Preliminary Exam form must be signed by members of a doctoral student’s committee and must be received by the Graduate School within two working days after the exam has concluded. If recommended by the student’s committee, a student who fails the Preliminary Examination may be granted one additional examination, to be taken not earlier than two months, nor later than twelve months, after the first, and upon satisfactory completion of any additional study as recommended by the dissertation committee.

• All research graduate students (MS/PhD, regardless of graduate program) and postdocs in the department are required, by their second semester, to prepare an Individual Development Plan (IDP), schedule and discuss their IDP with their advisor, and send their IDP to the staff Graduate Coordinator to keep on file with the Department.
• Every year, students/postdocs must update their IDP, discuss it with their advisor, and update the IDP on file with the Department. For most students and postdocs, IDPs should be prepared and/or updated in January/February of each year for consistency with staff annual reviews; however, deviations from this timeline can be made upon joint agreement between the student, advisor, and Graduate Coordinator.
• Students/postdocs and advisors can decide on the IDP template that best fits their needs; however, the IDP must include research and educational planning sections, a skills self-assessment, and mentoring.
• Download the GDPE IDP, or consider one of many other IDP options.

• Good Academic Standing
  • To meet the requirements for graduation, to remain in good academic standing, and to avoid academic probation and dismissal, CSU graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 in several categories (overall course GPA, regular course GPA, program of study overall GPA, and program of study regular GPA).Grades of C or better must also be earned on all courses on the Program of Study (GS6 form).
  • Good academic standing also requires satisfactory progress in the graduate program, based on the graduate advisory committee’s assessment of academic performance and promise.
  • For more details on academic standing, see the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
• Appeals
  • Graduate students may appeal decisions concerning unsatisfactory performance on graduate preliminary or final examinations, academic probation (for reasons of unsatisfactory progress toward the degree other than insufficient grade point average), termination of an assistantship for reasons of unsatisfactory performance, or dismissal from the graduate program.
  • For more details on appeals, see the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
• Time Limits
  • CSU has a ten-year time limit for completion of master’s and doctoral degrees. Courses used to fulfill degree requirements, including any transferred from another institution, must have been registered for and completed within the ten years immediately preceding the date of completion of requirements for the degree.

The Professional Science Master’s in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability was created with in-demand jobs in mind. To that end, our curriculum is designed to equip you with a sustainability toolkit that you can use to fill a range of positions in the sustainability and climate change sectors, gaining hands-on skills to steer the course of our planet towards a more hopeful future.

Students in the program:

• Evaluate linkages between socioeconomic and ecosystem processes that influence sustainability of carbon, water, and/or food management.
• Develop sustainable management strategies to maintain ecosystem processes related to carbon, water, and /or food management.
• Promote policies enhancing the sustainability of ecosystem related to carbon, water, and/or food management.
• Build, work within, and lead interdisciplinary teams in a professional environment.

Required Courses:

ESS 500 Integrated Ecosystem/Sustainability Analysis
ESS 523a Intro to Environmental Data Science
ESS 587 Internship
ESS 692 Seminar

Select one course from the following:

ESS 542 Greenhouse Gas Policies
WR 512 Water Law for Non-Lawyers

A minimum of 36 credits are required to complete this program with 21 or more credits at 500-level or higher, including a 4-credit Internship with a class component – ESS 587. Learn more about ESS 587.

• All students admitted to a graduate degree program at CSU must be continuously registered in the fall and spring semesters throughout their degree programs, including the graduation term.
• This means you must register for at least one credit or for Continuous Registration (CR) each fall and spring semester. Learn more about continuous registration policies.
• If you graduate during a summer term, you must also register for one credit or CR during that summer term.

• PSM Students may complete their degree in as little as 3-4 semesters.
• Degree timelines should be discussed with your advisor. The PSM is highly flexible and suggested course sequencing varies by specialization.
• All incoming PSM students are advised to take ESS 500, which includes a week-long, pre-semester field course, before their first semester.

• Review the steps to your master’s degree during an initial meeting with your department advisor, and/or program coordinator.
• The PSM is a Master’s Coursework Only — Plan C program. You can learn more on the University Requirements page.
• Subsequent meetings are normally necessary as you progress to degree completion. Advisors, departments, and programs may also have additions or modifications to the steps in this guide.

PSM students complete their Individual Development Plans as part of the ESS 500 course experience.

• Good Academic Standing
  • To meet the requirements for graduation, to remain in good academic standing, and to avoid academic probation and dismissal, CSU graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 in several categories (overall course GPA, regular course GPA, program of study overall GPA, and program of study regular GPA). Grades of C or better must also be earned on all courses on the Program of Study (GS6 form).
  • Good academic standing also requires satisfactory progress in the graduate program, based on the graduate advisory committee’s assessment of academic performance and promise.
  • For more details on academic standing, see the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
• Appeals
  • Graduate students may appeal decisions concerning unsatisfactory performance on graduate preliminary or final examinations, academic probation (for reasons of unsatisfactory progress toward the degree other than insufficient grade point average), termination of an assistantship for reasons of unsatisfactory performance, or dismissal from the graduate program.
  • For more details on appeals, see the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
• Time Limits
  • Full-time PSM students are expected to complete the PSM degree requirements within two (2) years of beginning graduate study. Part-time PSM students are expected to complete the PSM degree within five (5) years of part-time study. If a student’s program of study will take longer than this, the student must submit a projected timeline that includes measurable goals and is approved by their advisor. A copy of this signed agreement will be placed in the student’s department file.
  • The CSU Graduate School imposes a 10-year time limit on the completion of a master’s degree.

• Two types of assistantships are available for support of graduate students: Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA). GRAs are provided by a faculty member’s research funding in support of a specific project. GTAs are funded by the department for help with teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses.
• Financial and tuition support associated with assistantships can vary – some assistantships are considered Part-Time , not to exceed 10 hours/week whereas others are considered Full-Time, not to exceed 20 hours/week.
• Students not fully supported by a 20-hour/week graduate assistantship are responsible for paying tuition and fees not covered by their assistantship position.
• Graduate assistantships are at will, reappointed on a semester-by-semester basis, and are contingent on:
  • Availability of funds
  • Maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
  • Making satisfactory progress toward the degree
  • Completion of assistantship responsibilities
  • Compliance with program and university guidelines, including the Student Conduct Code
• During the spring and fall semesters, graduate assistantships can only be awarded to students enrolled in at least one resident-instruction credit. Continuous Registration (CR) does NOT meet this minimum enrollment requirement.
• Graduate assistants must comply with CSU’s policy on consensual relationships in which one party has a supervisory or evaluative role over the other (this includes GTA-student and GRA-subordinate relationships).
• Read the CSU Policy on Consensual Relationships.
  • Students not supported by a graduate assistantship are responsible for paying their tuition and fees. The cost of tuition and fees can be found here.

Graduate assistants enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan receive a health insurance contribution as a credit to their student accounts, conditional on enrolling in 5 or more resident-instruction credits. The health insurance contribution is considered supplemental wages and taxable income (even though it comes to the student account, not in a paycheck); thus, additional taxes are withheld from one paycheck in the fall and in the spring semester.

Learn more about the assistantship health insurance contribution.

Graduate assistants may have access to other benefits that include tuition coverage, partial fee coverage (full fee coverage beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year), retirement plans, sick leave, parental leave, family and medical leave, workers’ compensation, and more.

Information on assistantship benefits.

Participation in the Student Employee Retirement Plan, which is a state-mandated plan that involves paycheck withholdings, is mandatory for graduate assistants enrolled in less than 5 credits during the fall and spring semesters and less than 3 credits in the summer term.

Read more about the Student Employee Retirement Plan.

• The MS or PhD advisor helps the student plan a program of study, guides the student through the degree program, and chairs the student’s graduate committee.
• Each advisor has a unique approach to advising graduate students. Some advisors want frequent interaction with their students, whereas others expect students to operate with greater independence. To ensure the best possible guidance, discuss expectations with your advisor. Applicants are encouraged to talk to current graduate students of a potential advisor to ensure the best match in working styles and expectations.
• The advisor chairs the student’s graduate committee and is normally a recognized authority in the general area of the student’s principal academic interest. The advisor counsels the student in research and in writing the thesis, dissertation, or professional paper. The advisor also assists the student with course selection and registration. The advisor helps the student with all problems related to the program of study. The advisor notifies committee members of committee meetings and must advise all department faculty and graduate students of the date and location of the thesis or dissertation defense at least one week prior to the defense.
• Co-advisors may share the responsibilities for advising a graduate student, but if the co-advisor is from outside the ESS Department, the advisor must be from within the ESS Department. In all such cases, the latter will have ultimate responsibility for the student’s progress.
• If circumstances arise that a student seeks a different advisor, the student should consult with the Department Head. The student should consult their advisor about changes to their other committee members and promptly file the GS Form 9A Petition for Committee Member Changes with the Graduate School if they do.

Read more about advisor policies and procedures.

• The graduate committee provides a broad range of knowledge and expertise, general guidance through the program, help with formulating the Program of Study (i.e., the coursework plan on the GS6 form), and assessments of the student’s progress (e.g., through the PhD preliminary examination and the PhD and master’s final examination).
• Master’s committees consist of at least three members including the advisor, while PhD committees consist of at least four members including the advisor.
• Students should begin discussing the formation of their graduate committee as early as possible. The committee should be formed no later than the second regular semester, to allow the student to submit the Program of Study (GS6 form) and register for the fourth semester.
• The MS program committee consists of a minimum of three members, including the advisor, while a PhD committee is composed of a minimum of four members, including the advisor. All committee members must hold terminal degrees or have equivalent experience and have appropriate graduate faculty standing. Two committee members must be faculty in the ESS Department. At least one committee member must be from outside the department. The outside member is to provide expertise not found in the Program of Study and represents the Graduate School.

Read more about committee policy and procedures.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings
• Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging Module
• Sexual Harassment Awareness Training
• Student Disability Center
• Cultural and Resource Centers
• Adult Learner and Veteran Services
• Women and Gender Advocacy Center
• All Gender Restrooms

• If conflict arises, graduate students may seek support from trusted mentors, committee members, the ESS Graduate Program Coordinator, or the ESS department head. In some cases, it may be helpful to schedule a confidential appointment with an expert trained in conflict resolution through CSU’s Student Resolution Center
• For general information on filing complaints, see CSU’s student complaint policy and the associated student complaint form
• Bias incidents can be reported here
• A harassment or discrimination complaint can be filed with the Office of Equal Opportunity
• Any sexual misconduct or interpersonal violence must be reported to the Office of Title IX
• Students can obtain confidential legal advice on personal matters from Student Legal Services  where most services are covered by student fees.

• Emergency text alert system
• CSU police department: 970-491-6425
• SafeWalk service is provided by campus service officers from dusk to dawn
• RamRide to request a safe ride on weekends
• Bicycle registration is required
• Bicycle safety classes
• Campus lost and found

CSU offers several services and centers to help with research and writing:

• Information technology services
• Computer diagnostic and repair services
• Library resources
• Research integrity, safety, and compliance
• Statistical consulting
• Geospatial Centroid for spatial (GIS) modeling assistance 
• Writing Center and CSU Writes

• Off-Campus Life housing resources
• CSU gym and recreation
• University Center for the Arts
• Parking and transportation services
• FC Bikes
• Public transit
• City of Fort Collins
• City of Fort Collins Natural Areas
• Larimer County Parks

• Self-paced Canvas course on graduate well-being
• Medical, counseling, and wellness resources
• Basic needs resources
• Crisis intervention
• Tell Someone for concerns about safety or mental health

It is important to file an incident report whenever an injury occurs whether medical care beyond a first aid kit is needed or not.