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Geoscience, Ph.D.

Students in 91Å®Éñ's Ph.D. geoscience programs apply physics and chemistry to study Earth processes from the surface to the core. These studies prepare 91Å®Éñ graduates for diverse careers in government, industry, consulting and academia.

Program Highlights

  • Concentrations are offered in geophysics and environmental geosciences.
  • The University's geoscience facilities include a network of seismograph stations surrounding the New Madrid fault zone.
  • Excellent computing facilities including:
    • An environmental geochemistry lab with instrumentation to analyze the chemistries of waters, soils and sediments
    • A remote-sensing lab
    • A digital-image analysis lab

Curriculum Overview

91Å®Éñ's Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences requires a minimum of 48 credits of coursework and exactly 12 credits of dissertation research. Up to 24 credits of coursework leading to a master’s degree may count toward the credit requirement.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Active research areas in geophysics include earthquake seismology and tectonics.

Active environmental geoscience research at 91Å®Éñ includes land-use effects on water quality, contaminant transport hydrogeochemistry, surface water-groundwater interactions, river/reservoir sustainability, wetland biogeochemistry, fluvial geomorphology coastal geomorphology and processes.

Careers

91Å®Éñ's geoscience Ph.D. program prepares students for careers in academic research, teaching, government or industrial research environments.

Admission Requirements

Successful applicants possess sufficient GPA and English proficiency scores (for international students) and research interests compatible with ongoing research in the department.

Geophysics Concentration

Prerequisites include structural geology, college physics, mechanics and mathematics through differential equations.

Environmental Geosciences Concentration

Prerequisites include an undergraduate degree in a STEM discipline with at least one semester each of calculus, physics, biology, chemistry, and geoscience; a second semester of calculus or one semester of statistics.

Application Requirements

  • Application formÌý
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcript(s)
  • Professional goal statement
  • ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©

GRE scores are optional.

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • ¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù±ðÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
    • Practical laboratory work
    • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
    • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
    • Any honors or degrees received.
  • WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
  • In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at 91Å®Éñ
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Application and Assistantship Application Deadlines

Students typically begin the program in the fall semester. Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their applications by Jan. 2. Late applications and applications for the spring semester will be considered if positions are available.

Review Process

Faculty committee members examine qualified applicants’ materials and make recommendations.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,370

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.Ìý

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

  1. Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
  2. Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories or research methodologies in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
  3. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge from the earth and atmospheric sciences to address problems in broader contexts.
  4. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience in oral forms.
  5. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience in written forms.
  6. Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly or professional integrity in earth and atmospheric sciences.
Required Courses
·¡´¡³§Ìý5500Scientific Communication3
·¡´¡³§Ìý5900Geoscience Journal Club1
Concentration Elective Courses32
Select 32 credits of the following concentrations:
Dissertation Research12
·¡´¡³§Ìý6990
Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters)
Total Credits48

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Geophysics Concentration

Concentration Requirements
·¡´¡³§Ìý5060Physics of Solid Earth3
·¡´¡³§Ìý6320Advanced Seismology II3
·¡´¡³§Ìý6310Advanced Seismology I3
Concentration Choice #1
·¡´¡³§Ìý5170Divergent & Convergent Margins3
´Ç°ùÌý·¡´¡³§Ìý5180 Trans Margins & Plate Interior
Concentration Choice #2
Select two of the following:6
·¡´¡³§Ìý5040
Potential Theory
·¡´¡³§Ìý5400
Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation
·¡´¡³§Ìý5510
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý·¡´¡³§Ìý5520
Seismic Exploration Methods
and Seismic Exploration Lab
Concentration Elective Courses
Select 14 credits of the following:14
·¡´¡³§Ìý5040
Potential Theory
·¡´¡³§Ìý5120
Time Series Analysis in Geophysics
·¡´¡³§Ìý5180
Trans Margins & Plate Interior
·¡´¡³§Ìý5190
Seminar in Geoscience
·¡´¡³§Ìý5390
Seminar in Seismology
·¡´¡³§Ìý5400
Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation
·¡´¡³§Ìý5450
Advanced Petrology
·¡´¡³§Ìý5460
Geodynamics
·¡´¡³§Ìý5720
Seismological Instrumentation
·¡´¡³§Ìý6100
Advanced Topics in Solid Earth Geophysics
·¡´¡³§Ìý6981
Graduate Independent Study in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Total Credits32

Environmental Geosciences Concentration

Concentration Elective Courses
Select 32 credits of elective course work in consultation with advisor. Example courses include:32
µþ³§°ÕÌý5400
Applied Data Management
°ä³Õ±·³ÒÌý5330
Open-Channel Flow
°ä³Õ±·³ÒÌý5370
River Engineering
°ä³Õ±·³ÒÌý5930
Special Topics
³Ò±õ³§Ìý5010
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
·¡´¡³§Ìý5190
Seminar in Geoscience
·¡´¡³§Ìý5280
Environmental Geochemistry
·¡´¡³§Ìý5410
Hydrology
·¡´¡³§Ìý6981
Graduate Independent Study in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Total Credits32

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Geophysics ConcentrationÌý

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
·¡´¡³§Ìý5510 Seismic Exploration Methods 2
·¡´¡³§Ìý5520 Seismic Exploration Lab 1
·¡´¡³§Ìý5060 Physics of Solid Earth 3
·¡´¡³§Ìý6900 Geoscience Journal Club 0
·¡´¡³§Ìý5460 Geodynamics 3
ÌýCredits9
Spring
·¡´¡³§Ìý5170 Divergent & Convergent Margins 3
·¡´¡³§Ìý5500 Scientific Communication 3
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits6
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Two
Fall
·¡´¡³§Ìý5040 Potential Theory 3
Seminar in Geoscience 2
Journal Club 1
ÌýCredits6
Spring
Continuum Mechanics 3
Journal Club 0
Elective 2
ÌýCredits5
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Three
Fall
Time Series Analysis 3
Advanced Seismology I 3
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits6
Spring
Advanced Seismology II 3
Journal Club 1
ÌýCredits4
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Four
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club Ìý
ÌýCredits1
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Five
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits1
ÌýTotal Credits48

Environmental Geosciences ConcentrationÌý

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
·¡´¡³§Ìý5410 Hydrology 3
Journal Club 0
Elective (Electives are chosen with advisor to tailor to student needs) 6
ÌýCredits9
Spring
EASÌý6930 Special Topics 3
·¡´¡³§Ìý5500 Scientific Communication 3
Journal Club 0
³Ò±õ³§Ìý5010 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3
ÌýCredits9
Summer
Dissertation Research 3
ÌýCredits3
Year Two
Fall
·¡´¡³§Ìý5280 Environmental Geochemistry 3
Seminar in Geoscience 2
Journal Club 1
ÌýCredits6
Spring
Elective 3
Journal Club 0
Elective 2
ÌýCredits5
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Three
Fall
Elective 3
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits3
Spring
Journal Club 1
Elective 2
ÌýCredits3
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Four
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits1
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Five
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
ÌýCredits1
ÌýTotal Credits48

For more information about our program, please contact:

Linda Warren, Ph.D.
Graduate program coordinator, geoscience
linda.warren@slu.edu