Geoscience, Ph.D.

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.

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.

Environmental Geosciences Concentration

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

Environmental Geosciences Concentration Roadmap

For more information about our program, please contact:

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