By Markus Min
Overview
Research-based graduate programs in the natural sciences, which are most commonly Ph.D. programs, but frequently M.S. programs as well, are one of the most popular types of graduate programs. The defining aspect of these programs is that in addition to coursework, the primary emphasis of these programs is research under the direction of a faculty advisor/mentor.
Career fits
M.S. or Ph.D. degrees are designed to develop your research abilities and prepare you for a career in research. That being said, they are also highly desirable qualifications for a number of jobs that are not research-focused, particularly management and policy positions in related fields. Based on my experience, the most common positions after graduate school fall into one of three broad categories:
Academia: Traditionally, Ph.D. programs were designed to prepare students for jobs in academia, which means working at a university. Positions in academia include research scientists, post-doctoral scholars, and faculty positions (professorships), where the emphasis is on generating new knowledge, mentoring students, and teaching classes.
Government: Depending on the field of study, there are scientific government agencies who are in need of people with advanced research capabilities gained from graduate studies. Here are a few examples of these agencies:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For students in the marine or atmospheric sciences, this is the primary government agency of interest. NOAA's primary focus areas include fisheries science and management, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, coral reefs, and marine mammals.
State agencies, for example state departments of Fish and Wildlife, Ecology, or Natural Resources.
NGO/private organizations
Funding
One of the key aspects to research-based graduate programs that is not widely known is that in addition to having your tuition fully covered, you are often also paid a stipend. This is almost always the case for Ph.D. programs, and can be the case for M.S. programs as well. Stipends typically range from $20,000-$30,000 annually.
The application process
Two aspects of the application process for M.S. or Ph.D. programs are fairly unique:
A heavy emphasis is placed on your fit with a particular member of the faculty, rather than the program overall.
As the university typically has to cover your tuition and pay you a stipend, securing funding for your graduate program is often a major factor in your admissions decision. In the context of graduate admissions, funding refers to sources such as fellowships, scholarships, or grants. It does not refer to personal/educational loans or savings.
Applications are typically due in the fall or winter for the next academic year.
More detail about the application process can be found in the article below.
Examples
Here are some examples of the types of graduate programs that fit under this umbrella:
University of Washington, M.S. or Ph.D. in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences: https://fish.uw.edu/students/graduate-program/
University of California Berkeley, Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management: https://ourenvironment.berkeley.edu/graduate-programs
University of California Santa Barbara, Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology: https://www.eemb.ucsb.edu/academics/graduate