Graduate Student Handbook
There are a lot of important details involved in earning a graduate degree. The handbook provides vital information about the process of earning a graduate degree in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. The most recent handbook contains the most up to date information about procedures and processes.
If you are checking degree requirements, you are governed by the handbook that was in effect for the semester that you first enrolled in the program, but the procedures in the most recent handbook apply to all students.
2016 NRES Graduate Student HandbookPrevious Handbooks
- Fall 2015—Summer 2016
- Fall 2014—Summer 2015
- Fall 2013-Summer 2014
- Fall 2012-Summer 2013
- Fall 2010—Summer 2012
- Summer 2009—Summer 2010
- Summer 2007—Spring 2009
- Summer 2006—Spring 2007
- Summer 2004—Spring 2006
Thesis and Capstone Project Formatting
There are specific formatting rules that must be followed when you are writing your thesis or capstone project. Some of these are established by the Graduate College, and others have been imposed by the NRES faculty.
See Formatting RequirementsFunding Your Research
All graduate students, particularly those pursuing a doctorate, should begin the process of seeking research funds as early in their graduate education as possible. This type of support can reduce financial stress and help you improve the quality of your thesis. NRES is a very diverse department, so this page provides general resources. Students should talk with their advisers and other students in their research areas about opportunities that may be available.
Research Funding OpportunitiesGraduate Scholarships
Downders Grove Garden Club
This scholarship is sponsored by the Downers Grove Illinois Garden Club and recognizes scholarly excellence and research potential of M.S. or Ph.D. students working in the following fields: conservation, landscape architecture/design, natural resources, human dimensions of the environment, or horticulture. Three $1,000 scholarships are generally awarded.
Illinois Federation of Outdoor Resources Graduate Scholarship
One $1,000 award funded by the Federation to an NRES graduate student whose field of study is conservation, wildlife management, ecology, conservation law enforcement or a related field. Applicants must be a resident of the state of Illinois and maintain a 3.0/4 GPA to qualify for and hold the scholarship. It is expected that the recipient attend the IFOR annual banquet, usually held in Alton, IL and provide a photo and brief biography for their newsletter. One $1000 award is available.
Odell Graduate Soil Science Scholarship
The Odell Scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to an outstanding graduate student whose research is related to soil science, among students of similar ability. Recipients of the Odell Graduate Scholarship in Soil Science must have successfully completed at least one and preferably more semesters of graduate work at the University of Illinois. They must also have demonstrated superior academic ability and the potential for productive research in a discipline involving the study of soils. The same student may receive the Odell Scholarship for more than one year. One $1000 award is available.
J. Nelson Spaeth and William R. Boggess Graduate Scholarship in Forestry
This scholarship is in honor of two distinguished former heads of the Department of Forestry, J. Nelson Spaeth, and William R. Boggess. This Scholarship recognizes scholarly excellence and research potential in graduate students specializing in any area related to forestry. The scholarship is awarded annually on a competitive basis. One $1,000 award is available.
