We offer Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Earth Sciences with areas of specialization in Geography and Geology. Our requirements for acceptance into the graduate programs are slightly different for these two areas. Regardless of specialization, all diplomas will say Earth Sciences. We strongly recommend that prospective students learn about the research interests of the faculty and contact potential research advisors directly.
M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Earth Sciences are offered with content areas in Geography and Geology. Both stress independent thesis research with some supporting course work. Although we are a small department, our expertise spans most of the subfields of Earth Sciences. Our Geography faculty includes specialties from settlement geography through bioclimatology to GIS and snow science, while the interests of our Geology faculty range from petrogenesis to paleobiology to applied hydrogeology and from dinosaur taphonomy and stratigraphy to geomorphology. Our greatest faculty strengths are in surficial geology/physical geography, dinosaur paleontology and snow science. The Ph.D. program is new so we do not yet have a Ph.D. thesis list. Recent graduates in our M.S. program have produced theses in Geology and Geography which have expanded our knowledge of issues from GIS-based assessment of rockslide hazards to exotic species assessment in Grand Teton National park.
For consideration for teaching or research assistantships, your completed application must be received by February 1. We strongly encourage students to begin their program of study in the Autumn so enrollment in our research design seminar is possible.
Admission Requirements for M.S. and Ph.D. Programs:
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The most up-to-date program information can be found on our site and on The Graduate School site.. For additional information, please contact our graduate coordinator, Jian-Yi Liu at jliu@montana.edu
