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> College of Letters and Science
> Department of Earth Sciences
Graduate Programs
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.
Graduate
Application Deadline: February 15
Frequently Asked
Questions:
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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 15. 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:
- Complete the MSU Graduate
Application.
- 3.0 GPA or higher unless
there are unusual mitigating circumstances.
- Sound GRE verbal,
quantitative, and analytic scores; a verbal GRE of 480 is generally
required to be eligible for a Teaching Assistantship.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Personal Reference Forms from
your three recommenders.
- A clear, concise essay
indicating your objectives for pursuing the curriculum and degree for
which you seek admission. The essay should also include a statement
regarding why you wish to enroll in Earth Sciences at Montana State
University.
- International students must have a TOEFL
score of 213 (computer) or 550 (paper) for admission.
- International students must achieve
a TSE score of 50 or higher to be eligible for a Teaching
Assistantship.
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The most up-to-date program information can
be found on our site and through the links below. For additional
information, please contact a faculty member within your area of
interest (Faculty List),
Michael
Gardner (Graduate Committee Head for Geology), Jian yi Liu (Graduate Committee Head
for Geography) or Cathy Whitlock
(Graduate Committee Head for Geobiology).
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