Environmental Sciences department information for current students including activities and organizations, studying abroad, and scholarship opportunities.
The Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Association (EVS-GSA) is organized to promote knowledge, research, and involvement activities among the Environmental Sciences graduate students. Monthly meetings are held to inform members of upcoming social, volunteer, and discipline related events. Environmental topics of interest are discussed and a guest speaker presents at these meetings to offer professional insight.
The EVS-GSA provides financial funding for travel grants, equipment and other fees associated with accelerating professional interest and fellowship among graduate students and the community.
Founded in 1937, The Wildlife Society’s mission is “To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based& management and conservation.” The Wildlife Society enhances our members’ networking and learning opportunities, professional and career development, and provides numerous ways for them to get more involved in creating a better future for wildlife and their habitats.
The Wildlife Society’s student chapters are composed of student and professional members of the Society. Based at college campuses across North America, these chapters establish their own locally-focused objectives and have their own bylaws, officers, committees, and dues structure.
The purpose of our chapter is to allow UNCW students to gain field experience, network with wildlife professionals, learn about contemporary wildlife conservation research and have the opportunity to attend local, state, and national workshops and conferences.
Meetings and events for this chapter will allow UNCW students to learn skills, gain knowledge, and develop as a wildlife professional, thereby better preparing themselves for careers in the wildlife field and creating a better future for wildlife and their habitats. For more details or contact our UNCW Faculty advisor Dr. Rachael Urbanek.
The Coastal Society is a national organization of private sector, academic, and government professionals and students. The Society is dedicated to actively addressing emerging coastal issues by fostering dialogue, forging partnerships, and promoting communication and education.
TCS helps to foster the next generation of coastal leaders through student chapters. The entirely student run chapters are committed to furthering the mission of TCS. Each chapter focuses on local coastal issues through education, restoration, and fund-raising.
In 2013, the UNC Wilmington Chapter was founded. Our Chapter promotes wise use of coastal environments and provides a forum for professionals and students. Every month TCS hosts guest speakers, volunteer events, and social events. Guest speakers are selected from local, state, and national environmental professionals.
TCS is open to all undergraduate and graduate students interested in the coastal environment and willing to lend a helping hand. Working with local environmental organizations on coastal restoration projects not only is beneficial for the environment, but also great for networking. For more information, contact UNCW faculty advisors Devon Eulie or Dr. Larry Cahoon.
Students Engaged in Enriching Diversity in Sciences
The EVS Department is in the process of establishing a new student organization dedicated to diversifying and advancing the ecology profession. In the fall of 2022, EVS students and faculty initiated the process of establishing a chapter of the Ecological Society of America’s Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability program (SEEDS). SEEDS provides opportunities that stimulate and nurture the interest of underrepresented students to participate and to lead in ecology. SEEDS aims to promote an ecology profession with wide representation to ensure environmental understanding and a sustainable future for all. SEEDS is focused mainly at the undergraduate level but provides extension services for communities, high schools, graduate students, and international collaborations. Students interested in our planned SEEDS chapter (particularly in leadership) should contact evs@uncw.edu for more information.
Gaining an international perspective requires that students have some real international experience. Although there are several way to achieve this international experience, UNCW's Office of International Programs offers a wide variety of exciting Study Abroad and Exchange opportunities. There are more than 500 programs in over 50 countries.
The Department of Environmental Sciences has the following scholarships and awards available:
Applied Learning Award in Environmental Sciences
The John Taggart Applied Learning Award in Environmental Sciences is intended to support the work of an outstanding undergraduate student in the Department of Environmental Sciences who is actively engaged in faculty-mentored, applied research with an Environmental Sciences faculty member.
Judy Lund Scholarship in Environmental Sciences
The Judy Lund Scholarship is a need-based scholarship that supports students pursuing a degree in Environmental Sciences. This fund was created in the memory of Judy Lund, an environmental chemist, to commemorate her passion for the environment and advocacy for a greener world.
The New Hanover County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association Scholarships
Available as funds are available.
North Carolina Farm Bureau Scholarships.
Available as funds are available.
Department of Environmental Sciences Field Research Award
The Department of Environmental Sciences Field Research Award (also known as the Rotenberg Award) is intended to encourage research and scholarship in undergraduate Environmental Sciences students. Students who are actively engaged in research supervised by a UNCW Department of Environmental Sciences faculty member are eligible to apply. The funding is provided as an award/stipend, paid directly to the student.
Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Scholarships
This Scholarship is at the discretion of SASHTO and is not awarded each year. It is only awarded as funds are available.
EVS Honor’s Thesis Research Award
The EVS Honor’s Thesis Research Award is intended to enhance and support students actively pursuing their honors thesis within the Department of Environmental Sciences by funding research-related expenses. Students who are currently registered for EVS 499 or HON 499 honors thesis credits and whose committee is chaired by a UNCW EVS faculty member are eligible to apply.
Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS)
Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011, the Forgivable Education Loans for Service provides financial assistance to qualified students enrolled in an approved education program and committed to working in critical employment shortage professions in North Carolina. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority provides administration for the program.
Dr. Ralph W. Brauer Fellowship
The Dr. Ralph W. Brauer Fellowship was created through the estate of Dr. Brauer, a long tenured professor at UNCW. It is intended to provide financial support to one or more graduate students to assist with tuition and fees, books, publications or research travel as determined by the dean of the graduate school. A committee appointed by the dean recommends recipients and the amount to be awarded.
Ahuja Academy of Water Quality Fellowship
The Ahuja Academy of Water Quality Fellowship was established by Dr. Satinder "Sut" Ahuja in recognition of his life-long career in the pharmaceutical industry and his desire to improve quality of life. This fellowship will be used to assist graduate students engaged in research related to water quality. The Graduate School receives nominations for this fellowship from departments. Students interested in this award should notify their department.
Graduate School's Awards for New Scholars
A limited number of scholarships are available to students entering any of UNCW's graduate programs for the first time. Students do not apply for these scholarships. Instead, nominations originate with the departments, which submit their recommendations to the dean of the Graduate School. Criteria include evidence of exceptional scholarship, normally strong GRE scores (or their equivalent) and an excellent undergraduate GPA.
Jane Logan Lackey FellowshipThe Jane Logan Lackey Fellowship is allocated to promote diversity within the Graduate School. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 in the applicant's major is required.
Sylvia and B. D. Schwartz Graduate Fellowship
The Sylvia and B. D. Schwartz Graduate Fellowship may be awarded to any graduate student enrolled in the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The recipients are determined by a select committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School.
Lacy C. and Doris L. Sidbury Fellowship
The Lacy C. and Doris L. Sidbury Graduate Fellowship was established by Gwendolyn S. Solomon as a memorial to her parents. It is considered both a merit and need-based fellowship, subject to the criteria used by both the UNCW Graduate School and the Financial Aid and Veterans Services Office.
In general, scholarships and awards are determined at the end of the spring semester for the upcoming academic year and students must have an established grade point average at UNCW to be eligible.
To apply for scholarships at UNCW, applicants must be an admitted student for the upcoming academic term with access to the SeaNet student portal. Using their assigned student ID number students may access the features within the student portal, including the scholarship application on the Scholarships & Financial Aid Tab.
IMPORTANT: Students who wish to be considered for need based scholarships should also fill out a FAFSA form by March 1.