Graduate Programs
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences has a small but ambitious Ph.D. program. The moderate size of the department and low student/faculty ratio allow close personal interactions between the students and faculty. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisors to design programs that fit their interests and goals. Research in the department is a healthy blend of field-oriented studies, laboratory research and theoretical approaches. Field research projects range from local problems in Appalachian geology, to problems in the Cordilleran mountain chain, and to areas as far a field as India, the high Arctic and South America. Typically, research projects are funded by the National Science Foundation or similar agencies. Laboratory research is done both within the University, and on cooperative projects at other universities or at the U.S. Geological Survey. The section on research provides an overview of current and recent research projects.
Ph.D. students are expected to spend 3 to 5 semesters in intensive coursework (both within the department and in other departments) before taking their qualifying examinations. They are encouraged to start research as early as possible, and are expected to spend all their time on research after having passed the qualifying exams. An integral part of the education is the involvement of graduate students in undergraduate teaching in the early years here.
The department has a M.S. program, which also emphasizes the involvement in research projects. Typically, students joining the M.S. program do course work during the first year and complete M.S. research and thesis in their second year. For an overview of courses in the graduate program, look at the list of graduate courses.