Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences
As a graduate student in the doctoral program in geosciences at Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University, you will gain a broad perspective on Earth processes as well as a research specialization in a specific discipline within the geosciences. Through your coursework and research, you will choose to specialize in one or more areas such as geochemistry, geophysics, geomorphology, hydrogeology, petrology, remote sensing, sedimentary systems, earth science education or economic geology. Your coursework will provide you with foundational theoretical knowledge, as well as the ability to carry out relevant field and laboratory techniques. During your dissertation research, you will learn how to design an investigation, collect and analyze your own data, form interpretations and share your results with peers, faculty and members of the geoscience community in both oral and written formats. This program provides the specialized knowledge, critical thinking and communication skills necessary to succeed in a wide range of careers. Graduates of this program have attained positions in colleges and universities, state and federal government research labs and private-sector industry.
You should pursue a Ph.D. in geosciences if...
- You want a program that blends theoretical work, laboratory and field training and original research.
- You want to conduct original, cutting-edge research in specialized areas of the geosciences.
- You want to gain experience in presenting your research and writing it up for publication.
- You are interested in a career as a university professor, laboratory or field researcher or working as a researcher in private industry.
Careers
Employment options for holders of a Ph.D. in geosciences are broad. Graduates seek employment with colleges and universities, state and federal government agencies and research labs, private consulting firms and non-profit organizations. People with formal geosciences training are also needed in industries as varied as journalism, environmental law, sales, marketing, information services, management and publishing. Some specific careers available to those with Ph.D. degrees in geosciences include:
- College or university professor
- Geologist, geoscientist or physical scientist
- Hydrogeologist
- Research associate or senior researcher in a national laboratory, governmental agency or private firm
Program overview
After completing basic coursework in three areas (either geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology or sedimentology), you choose to specialize your coursework and research in a discipline within the geosciences. Our faculty have research programs in geochemistry, spatial data analysis and informatics, geophysics, glacial geomorphology, earth science education, hydrogeology, igneous petrology, remote sensing, sedimentary systems and basin analysis, sedimentary petrology and economic geology. In your fourth semester, you begin your dissertation in which you design and carry out an original research study. During this program, you will present your work in poster or oral format at at least one professional conference and have a first-authored paper accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Program design: Our graduate students have 20 to 40 percent classroom/laboratory education with a 60 to 80 percent focus on research. Students will gain experience through attending dynamic lectures, performing laboratory research in our state of the art facilities and applying their knowledge in hands-on field courses. Our graduate programs are designed for national and international students coming from diverse scientific backgrounds with a variety of career goals鈥攆rom industry to academia.
- Program requirements: To learn more about specific program requirements, consult the most recent academic catalog.
- Course listings: To see which courses will be offered when, check out the WMU course listings. You can also read course descriptions for geosciences classes .
- Professional development: Students in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences are encouraged to gain valuable professional, research and field experience through joining our highly active student organizations.
Advising
Graduate students have a departmental advisor who helps you meet the requirements of your program and the WMU Graduate College. In addition, Ph.D. students have a dissertation advisor who supervises your research and can direct you to the courses you need. Please consult your advisor regularly to ensure that academic requirements are met.
- Academic advising: Confused about which classes to take, how to meet program requirements, or what your progress is towards graduation? Confused about Graduate College forms or deadlines? Have questions about the preparation of your dissertation? All of these questions can be discussed with your graduate faculty advisor, Dr. Peter Voice.
Resources
- Financial Aid: Cost of attendance, loans, scholarships and grants, work-study
- Admissions
- International Admissions and Services
- Departmental scholarship resources