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Home » Arts and Sciences » Academics » Degrees » Graduate » Geoscience, Ph.D.
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Geoscience, Ph.D.

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  • Learning Outcomes
  • Requirements
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Saint Louis University's Ph.D. program in geoscience prepares students for careers in academic research, teaching, government or industrial research environments. The University's geology research facilities include a network of seismograph stations surrounding the New Madrid fault zone, state-of-the-art seismic observatories that transmit data by satellite from sites distributed across a broad region of the central United States; excellent computing facilities consisting of LINUX, Solaris, MAC and PC workstations; rock preparation and mineral separation facilities; a stable isotope geochemistry lab; a remote sensing lab; and a digital image analysis lab.

Extensive research is conducted at the Saint Louis University Earthquake Center and the Seismic Analysis and Remote Sensing Laboratories.

Curriculum Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences requires a minimum of 48 credits of course work and exactly 12 credits of dissertation research. Up to 24 credits of coursework leading to a master’s degree may count toward the credit requirement.

Two concentrations are available:

  • Geophysics
  • Environmental geoscience

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Active research areas in geophysics include earthquake seismology and tectonics.

Active research areas in geology include tectonics, remote sensing, sedimentary geology and sedimentation, igneous and metamorphic petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, geomorphology and fluid-rock interaction.

Active research areas in environmental geosciences include river/reservoir sustainability, land-use effects on water quality, contaminant transport, wetland biogeochemistry, hydro-geochemistry, fluvial geomorphology, coastal geomorphology and processes.

Careers

SLU's geoscience Ph.D. program prepares students for careers in academic research, teaching, government or industrial research environments. After graduating, alumni might pursue a career as an earthquake hazard analyst, environmental consultant or an exploration geophysicist.

Admission Requirements

Successful applicants possess sufficient test scores, GPA and TOEFL scores (for international students).

Geophysics Concentration

Prerequisites include structural geology, college physics, mechanics and mathematics through differential equations.

Environmental Geosciences Concentration

Prerequisites include an undergraduate degree in a STEM discipline with at least one semester each of calculus, physics, biology, chemistry, and geoscience; a second semester of calculus or one semester of statistics.

Application Requirements

  • Application form and fee
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcript(s)
  • Professional goal statement
  • Résumé
  • GRE scores are optional

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application and Assistantship Application Deadlines

Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their applications by Jan. 2.

U.S. students should apply for the fall semester by July 1 and for the spring semester by Nov. 1. International students should apply for the fall semester by May 1 and for the spring semester by Oct. 1.

Review Process

Faculty committee members examine qualified applicants' materials and make recommendations.

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed.  Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

  1. Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
  2. Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories, or research methodologies in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
  3. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge from the earth and atmospheric sciences to address problems in broader contexts.
  4. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in oral forms.
  5. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in written forms.
  6. Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly or professional integrity in earth and atmospheric sciences.
Course List
Code Title Credits
Required Courses
EAS 4500Scientific Communications3
EAS 5900Geoscience Journal Club1
Concentration Elective Courses
Select 31-32 credits of the following concentrations:32
Geophysics
Environmental Geosciences
Dissertation Research
EAS 5990Thesis Research (taken over multiple semesters)12
Total Credits48

Geophysics Concentration

The Master of Science (Thesis) in Geoscience with geophysics concentration requires a minimum of 24 credits plus a written thesis of six credits. The Master of Science in Geoscience (non-Thesis) with geophysics concentration, coursework option, requires a minimum of 30 credits and independent study.

Course List
Code Title Credits
Concentration Requirements
EAS 5060Physics of Solid Earth3
Concentration Choice #1
EAS 5170Divergent & Convergent Margins3
or EAS 5180 Trans Margins & Plate Interior
Concentration Choice #2
Select two of the following:6
EAS 5040
Potential Theory
EAS 5400
Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation
EAS 5510
& EAS 5520
Seismic Exploration Methods
and Seismic Exploration Lab
Concentration Elective Courses
Select 20 credits of the following:20
EAS 5040
Potential Theory
EAS 5080
Dynamics of the Atmosphere
EAS 5090
Physics of the Atmosphere
EAS 5110
Computing in Atmospheric Science
EAS 5120
Time Series Analysis in Geophysics
EAS 5180
Trans Margins & Plate Interior
EAS 5190
Seminar in Geoscience
EAS 5270
Meteorology of Severe Storms
EAS 5280
Environmental Geochemistry
EAS 5330
Communicating in Research
EAS 5340
Cloud Physics
EAS 5360
Principles of Radiative Transference
EAS 5380
Stat Methods in Meteorology
EAS 5390
Seminar in Seismology
EAS 5400
Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation
EAS 5450
Advanced Petrology
EAS 5460
Geodynamics
EAS 5650
Radar Meteorology
EAS 5700
Convection in the Atmosphere
EAS 5720
Seismological Instrumentation
EAS 5750
Land-Atmosphere Interaction
EAS 6100
Advanced Topics in Solid Earth Geophysics
EAS 6310
Advanced Seismology I
EAS 6320
Advanced Seismology II
EAS 6480
Gen Circulation of Atmosphere
EAS 6981
Independent Study
Total Credits32

Environmental Geosciences Concentration

Course List
Code Title Credits
Concentration Elective Courses
Select 32 credits of the following:32
EAS 5040
Potential Theory
EAS 5060
Physics of Solid Earth
EAS 5080
Dynamics of the Atmosphere
EAS 5090
Physics of the Atmosphere
EAS 5110
Computing in Atmospheric Science
EAS 5120
Time Series Analysis in Geophysics
EAS 5170
Divergent & Convergent Margins
EAS 5180
Trans Margins & Plate Interior
EAS 5190
Seminar in Geoscience
EAS 5270
Meteorology of Severe Storms
EAS 5280
Environmental Geochemistry
EAS 5330
Communicating in Research
EAS 5340
Cloud Physics
EAS 5360
Principles of Radiative Transference
EAS 5380
Stat Methods in Meteorology
EAS 5390
Seminar in Seismology
EAS 5400
Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation
EAS 5450
Advanced Petrology
EAS 5460
Geodynamics
EAS 5510
Seismic Exploration Methods
EAS 5520
Seismic Exploration Lab
EAS 5650
Radar Meteorology
EAS 5700
Convection in the Atmosphere
EAS 5720
Seismological Instrumentation
EAS 5750
Land-Atmosphere Interaction
EAS 6100
Advanced Topics in Solid Earth Geophysics
EAS 6310
Advanced Seismology I
EAS 6320
Advanced Seismology II
EAS 6480
Gen Circulation of Atmosphere
EAS 6981
Independent Study
Total Credits32

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Geophysics Concentration Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Advanced Seismology I 3
Physics of Solid Earth 3
Journal Club 0
Elective 3
 Credits9
Spring
Convergent Divergent Margins 3
Scientific Communication 3
Journal Club 0
Elective 3
 Credits9
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Year Two
Fall
EAS 5040 Potential Theory 3
Seminar in Geoscience 2
Journal Club 1
Elective 3
 Credits9
Spring
Continuum Mechanics 3
Journal Club 0
Elective 3
Elective 2
 Credits8
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Year Three
Fall
Time Series Analysis 3
Advanced Seismology I 3
Journal Club 0
 Credits6
Spring
Advanced Seismology II 3
Journal Club 1
 Credits4
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Year Four
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
 Credits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club  
 Credits1
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Year Five
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
 Credits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
 Credits1
 Total Credits57

Environmental Geosciences Concentration Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
ElectivePrinciples of Biostatistics 3
ElectiveIntroduction to Remote Sensing 3
Journal Club 0
Elective (Electives are chosen with advisor to tailor to student needs) 3
 Credits9
Spring
ElectiveWater Treatment Systems 3
Scientific Communication 3
Journal Club 0
ElectiveSoil Energy 3
 Credits9
Summer
Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Two
Fall
ElectiveProgramming for Remote Sensing/GIS 3
Seminar in Geoscience 2
Journal Club 1
 Credits6
Spring
Elective 3
Journal Club 0
Elective 3
Elective 2
 Credits8
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Year Three
Fall
Elective 3
Elective 3
Journal Club 0
 Credits6
Spring
Elective 3
Journal Club 1
 Credits4
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Year Four
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
 Credits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
 Credits1
Summer
Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Year Five
Fall
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
 Credits1
Spring
Dissertation Research 1
Journal Club 0
 Credits1
 Total Credits55

For more information about our program, please contact:

Linda Warren, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator, Geoscience
linda.warren@slu.edu

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