Graduate Program: Geosciences (PHD)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Geosciences (PHD) 
Program Description

Requires the equivalent of the Bachelors degree with a major in geosciences or allied discipline.

The Department of Geosciences at the University of Arizona offers both a two-year M.S. and a four-year Ph.D. program. Both programs are research based and have course work requirements, as well as a final requirement of an M.S. thesis or a Ph.D. dissertation.
 
All students who apply are considered for financial support (in the form of teaching/research assistantships, or fellowships). Almost all students admitted to our degree programs are offered financial support; M.S. students are funded for two years, and Ph.D. students are funded for four years. 
 
Available fields for PhD research are biogeochemistry; climate dynamics; dendrochronology, geoarchaeology; geochemistry; geochronology; geomorphology; geophysics; mineral resources; mineralogy; paleolimnology; palynology; paleontology; petrology; sedimentology and stratigraphy; structure; and tectonics.
 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

Geosciences -

The Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, focuses on research and education in the nature, genesis, and history of the Earth and its crust, and the evolution of the environment and biota at the Earth's surface.

Our faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students are active in biogeochemistry; climate dynamics; geoarchaeology; geochemistry; geochronology; geomorphology; geophysics; mineral resources; mineralogy; paleolimnology; palynology; paleontology; petrology; sedimentology and stratigraphy; structure; and tectonics.

We encourage interdisciplinary approaches to research in the geosciences, both within the department and through interdepartmental programs.

US National Research Council Rankings - We are one of nine programs, and one of only four in public institutions, to rank in the top 10 in both "survey" and "regression" rankings.

The Department of Geosciences at the University Of Arizona is ranked #3 In Geology, #8 In Earth Sciences, And #11 In Geochemistry Iin the most recent U.S. News and World Report National Survey of Graduate Programs.

 
College
College of Science  
Campus where offered
Main Campus - Tucson  
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Anne L Chase
520-621-6004
Graduate Program Coordinator
Anne L Chase
520-621-6004
Director of Graduate Studies
Paul A Kapp
520-621-6024
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Kristi R Davenport
520-626-1930
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

GPA 3.0
TOEFL 550 / 79
GRE General Test
3 letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose, and résumé/CV
Transcripts

 
Standardized Tests

Required test(s): GRE

Minimum GRE Verbal:
Minimum GRE Quantitative:
Minumum GRE Written:

Minimum TOEFL: 0
Minimum IELTS:

 
Financial Aid

Teaching and Research Assistantships,
Fellowships,
Scholarships

 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall: January 6, 2020

International Applicants:

  • Fall: January 6, 2020

No spring admissions.

 
International Conditional Admission
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 0503, 0504, 0505, 0506
NRC Taxon(a) for this program: Earth Sciences

Completion Requirements

Degree Requirements

Minumum credits: 63 (45 course work, 18 dissertation) (Can use 15 units of graded transfer coursework.)

Core coursework: no set curriculum

Language requirements: no second language requirement

Other requirements: Please refer to Geosciences PhD Graduate Handbook for Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines, PhD diagnostic exam, PhD committee requirement, PhD written and oral comprehensive exam, and PhD final dissertation defense requirements. Students must also have a yearly progress meeting with committee.

 
Minor Requirements

Geosciences minor is 9 units. See department website for more information.

http://www.geo.arizona.edu/sites/www.geo.arizona.edu/files/PhDGraduateminor_8_16.pdf

 
Student Handbook
http://www.geo.arizona.edu/sites/www.geo.arizona.edu/files/PhD%20Handbook%202015.pdf  

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 24%
Med. Time-to-degree (years) 5.50
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 60%
Enrollment Percent Female 40%
Enrollment Percent International 19%
Enrollment Percent URM 18%

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Last revised 20 Sep 2019