PhD in Earth Sciences

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

27

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

Two or more races:

5%

Hispanic or Latino:

10%

Asian:

4%

American Indian or Alaska Native:

1%

Black or African American:

3%

White:

77%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Graduation Rate

60%

Job Placement

89%

Top recruiters

The Nature Conservancy

NOAA

NASA

Chevron

EOG Resources

Shell

ExxonMobil

BP

ConocoPhillips

USGS

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$20,840 / year

Overall Cost

$35,840 / year

FAQs

• What are the career outcomes for graduates?
  
  Within 10 years of graduation, about 42% of alumni work in academia, 24% in government, and 20% in for-profit sectors. Top employers include Montana State University and the USDA. Alumni salaries within 10 years range from $50,000 to $150,000, with an average of $90,000
• What research facilities and resources are available?
  
  Graduate students have access to labs and facilities such as the Earth Surface Processes Lab, Geomicrobiology Lab, Paleoecology Lab, Paleontology Lab, Snow & Avalanche Lab, Image & Chemical Analysis Lab, Museum of the Rockies, and the Subzero Science & Engineering Research Facility
• What are the coursework requirements?
  
  Students must build a solid foundation in geography, geology, or geobiology. All first-year graduate students take a seminar (ERTH 594). Additional coursework is tailored to individual interests and may include disciplines outside the department to support research
• What are the program learning outcomes?
  
  PhD students are expected to: Produce and defend an original, significant dissertation Design and execute independent research Master subject matter and research methods in their subdiscipline Communicate research effectively in writing and orally Demonstrate ethical research conduct Engage with the professional field through publications, presentations, and association activities Develop skills for securing professional or academic positions and external funding.
• What is the main focus of the PhD program?
  
  The PhD emphasizes independent, original research in a specific field of Earth Sciences, culminating in a dissertation that contributes significant new knowledge to the discipline. Supporting coursework is tailored to the student’s research interests in consultation with their advisor and committee
• What specializations are available in the Earth Sciences PhD program?
  
  The program offers a wide range of specializations, including settlement geography, bioclimatology, GIS, planning, snow science, volcanology, paleobiology, dinosaur taphonomy, stratigraphy, and geomorphology. All diplomas are awarded in Earth Sciences, regardless of the chosen specialization