Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences degree program provides a curriculum designed to be relevant to many of today's advanced Sustainable Earth and Environment Science challenges and career prospects, as well as the opportunity to engage in state-of-the-art research with faculty and equipment (computational, laboratory, and fieldwork).

Program Description

The PhD Geosciences (Geology/Geophysics) degree program is one of the original and longest established academic programs at the University of Texas at Dallas. The program emphasizes research in several specialized areas of earth, environment, and natural resources science and is designed to prepare graduates for advanced leadership positions in industry, government, or academia.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program seek positions in industry, government, or academia.

Application Requirements

Degree Requirements

Entering students are expected to have completed the equivalent of the University's BS and MS degrees in Geosciences, including courses in geology, physics, mathematics, and chemistry. Students whose BS or MS training is in a science other than geology or geophysics are admitted to the program when their previous course work complements or supports their intended research interests. Deficiencies in the BS or MS background of admitted students will be addressed through a sequence of required graduate courses.

Test Score Requirements

Applicants are highly encouraged to take the GRE General Test (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing), but the GRE score requirement may be waived upon request. A combined score of greater than 300 on the Verbal and Quantitative portions of the exam is advisable based on our experience with student success in the program.

Deadlines and Application Procedure

University deadlines apply. Applicants should secure a PhD supervisor prior to submitting an application. PhD applicants without an agreed faculty supervisor will not be considered for admission.

Research Areas

The program provides the opportunity to engage in state-of-the-art research with faculty and equipment (computational, laboratory, and fieldwork) in several specialized areas of earth, environment, and natural resources science.

Dissertation Requirements

The PhD dissertation will consist of a number of independent research contributions, most of which will be published in peer-reviewed geoscience journals.