The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program aims to train students in original research in Environmental Science, Policy and Management, and to cultivate independent, interdisciplinary and innovative thinking that is essential for a successful research career in environmental science, policy and management research and formulation.

PhD program requirements are:

1. Taking at least 12 credits of coursework including:
   • 6 credits from the Interdisciplinary Core Course List; and
   • 6 credits from the Elective Course List or other postgraduate course(s) approved by the supervisor and PG Coordinator. 
     
     ​Subject to approval from the PG Coordinator, students who have taken HKUST MPhil (ESPM) program will be granted credit transfer of up to a maximum of 9 credits. Students admitted to the program with a relevant master’s degree may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis. In such case, the maximum number of credit transferrable is 6. 
2. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
   PDEV 6800 : Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education - 0 Credit(s)
   The course aims to equip all full-time research postgraduate (RPg) students with basic teaching skills before assuming teaching assistant duties for the department. Good teaching skills can be acquired through learning and practice. This 10-hour mandatory training course provides all graduate teaching assistants (GTA) with the necessary theoretical knowledge with practical opportunities to apply and build up their knowledge, skills and confidence in taking up their teaching duties. At the end of the course, GTAs should be able to (1) facilitate teaching in tutorials and laboratory settings; (2) provide meaningful feedback to their students; and (3) design an active learning environment to engage their students. Graded PP, P or F.
   All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
    
3. Professional Development Course Requirement
   PDEV 6770: Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students - 1 Credit(s)
   This course aims at equipping research postgraduate students with transferrable skills conducive to their professional development. Students are required to attend 3 hours of mandatory training on Professional Conduct, and complete 12 hours of workshops, at their own choice, under the themes of Communication Skills, Research Competency, Entrepreneurship, Self‐Management, and Career Development. Graded PP, P or F.
   Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
   PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Interdisciplinary Programs Office.
   
   ENVR 6770: Professional Development in Environmental Science, Policy and Management - 1 Credit(s)
   Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
   PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed ENVR 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking ENVR 6770, subject to prior approval of the Interdisciplinary Programs Office.
    
4. English Language Requirement
   
   • LANG 5000 Foundation in Listening & Speaking for Postgraduate Students   [1 credit(s)]
   Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
   
   • LANG 5005 Communicating Research in English   [1 credit(s)]
   Students are required to complete LANG 5005 and advised to complete it in the first year of study. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5005 cannot be counted toward the program credit requirements. Students may be considered for exemption from this course, subject to the recommendation by Center for Language Education and approval of their department.
    
5. Taking ENVR 6010 Postgraduate Seminar whenever it is offered.
    
6. Submission of a thesis proposal to the Qualifying Examination Committee who will examine the student’s general background knowledge and knowledge related to the topic of the research. Students must pass the qualifying examination no later than the forth term of study for full-time students, or the sixth term of study for part-time students.
    
7. Registration in ENVR 7990 Doctoral Thesis Research; and
    
8. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
    

Interdisciplinary Core Course List:

• ENVR 5290 Climate Change: Science, Policy and Management
• ENVR 5360 Sustainable Development Research and Practice;
  or SOSC 5620 Sustainable Development

Elective Course List:

• ENVR 5250 Environmental Economics and Management    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5260 Environmental Policy and Management    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5310 Atmospheric Dynamics    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5320 Environmental Data Analysis    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5330 Environmental Geographical Information System    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5340 Fundamentals of Sustainability Science and Technology    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5350 Climate Dynamics    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5370 Energy Systems Sustainability and Policy    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5380 The Circular Economy – Governance, Business Practices and Modes of Transition    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5400 Weather, Climate and Air Pollution    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5390 Satellite Remote Sensing and Informatics    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5410 Atmospheric Chemistry    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 5420 Climate Finance and the Carbon Markets    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 6040 Special Topics in Environmental Science    [1-4 credit(s)]
• ENVR 6050 Introduction to Oceanography    [3 credit(s)]
• ENVR 6090 Special Topics in Environmental Management    [1-4 credit(s)]
• EVSM 5270 Environmental Law    [3 credit(s)]
• EVSM 5280 Introduction to Atmospheric Aerosols    [3 credit(s)]
• EVSM 6070 Environmental Impact Assessment    [4 credit(s)]
• RMBI 4000B Environmental Risk Management for Corporate    [3 credit(s)]