PhD in Earth System Science

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

27

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

Others:

2%

Others:

1%

Hispanic or Latino:

3%

White:

59%

Black or African American:

3%

Asian:

12%

Alaska Native:

20%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Graduation Rate

42%

Job Placement

98%

Top recruiters

The Nature Conservancy

NOAA

NASA

Chevron

EOG Resources

Shell

ExxonMobil

BP

ConocoPhillips

USGS

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$22,140 / year

Overall Cost

$37,140 / year

FAQs

• How do I apply?
  
  Applicants should review faculty interests, contact potential advisors, and apply through the UAF Department of Geophysics or the Earth System Science program
• What are the career outcomes for graduates?
  
  Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, research institutions, government agencies, environmental consulting, and industry, especially in roles focused on environmental monitoring, climate science, and natural resource management
• Who is a good fit for this program?
  
  Ideal candidates have a strong background in earth sciences, physics, mathematics, or computer science, and a keen interest in interdisciplinary research on Earth’s systems
• What kind of research and training opportunities are available?
  
  Students engage in hands-on research, including fieldwork in Alaska’s unique environments. Opportunities exist for collaboration with the Geophysical Institute, Alaska Volcano Observatory, and Alaska Earthquake Center, providing experience in seismology, volcanology, and geodesy
• What are the degree requirements?
  
  Minimum of 26–41 credits, depending on the chosen concentration Completion of the general university and PhD degree requirements Core courses include: ESS F601: Introduction to Earth System Science (3 credits) ESS F602: Best Practices for Research in Alaska (1 credit) ESS F692P: Seminar (1 credit) At least 18 thesis credits 13 credits of approved electives, which may be chosen from any concentration or from cross-cutting/methods courses
• What concentrations are available?
  
  Students can choose from eight disciplinary concentrations: Sustainability Ecosystems Hydrology Atmospheric and Climate Sciences Cryosphere Solid Earth Geophysics Geoscience Geospatial Science
• What is the focus of the Earth System Science PhD program?
  
  The program is multidisciplinary and designed for students interested in understanding how various components of Earth's systems interact, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and geosphere