Geology

Geography

Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences
Applications for research in geosciences (to include the broad range of geology, geography, geophysics, climatology and paleoclimatology, paleoceanography, natural hazards and human interactions with the natural environment) are encouraged. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School , all candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to have a background approximately equivalent to our M.S. degree in geology or geography, although this by no means precludes individualized programs for those with special strength in another discipline. Additional requirements include completion of sufficient course work or independent study to prepare the candidate for the preliminary comprehensive exam (research proposition) and a reading knowledge in one foreign language.

Master of Science in Geosciences
In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School , the Departmental requirements for the M.S. include: a full year of college mathematics or statistics (beyond pre-calculus); a full year of two supporting sciences (biology, chemistry or physics); six weeks of field experience and a prescribed number of courses within the department. Normally a candidate will write a thesis, but it is possible to elect a program of study that does not include writing a thesis.

The geology and physical geography faculty have a broad range of interests and expertise that includes structural geology, geomorphology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, volcanology, mineralogy, evolution of planetary crusts, geophysics, paleomagnetism, analytical geochemistry, Precambrian geology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, glacial geology, marine geology, paleontology, Quaternary studies, paleoceanography, climatology & paleoclimatology, aqueous geochemistry, sedimentary geochemistry, biogeochemistry, hydrogeology, and environmental geology. Field work is a central feature of the research of most faculty members. Students are encouraged to interact with faculty representing several sub-disciplines in the field. Students also have the possibility of interacting with Five College faculty members. The Five College Consortium promotes academic cooperation between Amherst , Hampshire, Mount Holyoke , and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts.

Geography (download the program brochure)

Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences
Applications for graduate research are welcomed in the broad range of human and physical geography subfields in which the faculty has expertise. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School , all candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to have a background approximately equivalent to our M.S. degree in geography, although this by no means precludes individualized programs for those with special strength in another discipline. Requirements in addition to the Ph.D. dissertation include completion of sufficient course work or independent study to prepare the candidate for the preliminary comprehensive exam (research proposition) and a reading knowledge in one foreign language.

Master of Science in Geography
In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, a candidate for the M.S. in geography must complete a prescribed number of courses within the program, a prescribed number of courses in related fields, and either a masters thesis or a general exam. The program is designed to take two years to complete. Courses are selected by students in consultation with a faculty adviser, and the thesis or general exam is reviewed by a committee composed of two or more faculty members, one of whom may be from outside the Department.

The geography program has special strengths in Climatology & Paleoclimatology, Natural Hazards and Disasters, Geomorphology, Land and Water Management, Economic Geography, Urban Geography, Development and Conservation, Environmental Perception, and Spirit of Place, as well as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Earth System Modeling, and Remote Sensing. Specific problems in these areas may be explored in the regional contexts of North America , Europe , New England , Latin America , China , Southeast Asia , and the Arctic .

Close cooperation is maintained with area studies programs for Latin America , Asia , and Europe , as well as the disciplines of geology, anthropology, landscape architecture and regional planning, communications, wildlife conservation, and history.

NASA Planetary Biology Internship

The Planetary Biology Internship Program (PBI) provides opportunities to explore scientific questions of global scale about planet Earth. Each year the PBI Program sponsors ten interns who undertake research at NASA Research Centers or NASA-sponsored laboratories and academic institutions. Students admitted to the Microbial Diversity course at the Marine Biological Laboratory may also be selected as interns.