The Geosciences Graduate Program offers a breadth of opportunities for students from a variety of backgrounds to pursue research and education in the geosciences.
Students can pursue thesis research that is largely field, laboratory, or theoretically based.
Affiliations with Penn State's Earth System Science Center, Astrobiology Research Center, Geodynamics Institute, and Center for Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry enhance the opportunities for interdisciplinary research and education. The Geo-Environmental Engineering program offers flexible education in the environmental sciences and engineering, with particular focus on the resource and energy industries. Students follow a focused core curriculum of quantitative core courses in the applied physical sciences, and complete a thesis in a relevant area. Students with backgrounds in earth science, chemistry, physics, materials science, or related disciplines are welcome to apply. Nearly all full-time graduate students are supported by research grants and teaching assistantships.