Stanford University School of Earth Science

Graduate Programs

Students who wish to enroll for graduate work in the school must be qualified for graduate standing in the University and, in addition, must be accepted by one of the school's three departments or the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. One requirement for admission is submission of scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Admission to one department or program does not guarantee admission to others.

 
Geological & Environmental Sciences

Graduate studies in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES) involve academic course work and independent research. Students are prepared for careers as professional scientists in research or the application of the earth sciences to mineral, energy, and water resources. Course programs in the areas of faculty interest are tailored to the studentŐs needs and interests with the aid of his or her research adviser. Students are encouraged to include in their program courses offered in other departments in the School of Earth Sciences as well as in other departments in the University. Diplomas designate degrees in Geological and Environmental Sciences and may also indicate the following specialized fields of study: Geostatistics in the Earth Sciences, and Hydrogeology.

Degrees awarded: Ph.D., M.S., Engineer

 
Geophysics

The graduate program in Geophysics provides specialized training for professional work in exploration, research, and education, and lead to degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Current research activities involve biological oceanography, earthquake mechanics, environmental investigations, rock physics, reflection, refraction and tomographic seismology, studies of the continental lithosphere, reservoir geomechanics, studies of crustal deformation and theoretical and computational geophysics.

Degrees awarded: Ph.D., M.S.

 
Energy Resources Engineering

Energy resources engineers are concerned with the design of processes for energy recovery. Included in the design process are characterizing the spatial distribution of hydrocarbon reservoir properties, drilling wells, designing and operating production facilities, selecting and implementing methods for enhancing fluid recovery, examining the environmental aspects of petroleum exploration and production, monitoring reservoirs, and predicting recovery process performance.

Faculty and graduate students conduct research in areas including: enhanced oil recovery by thermal means, gas injection, and the use of chemicals; flow of fluids in pipes; geostatistical reservoir characterization and mathematical modeling; geothermal engineering; natural gas engineering; carbon sequestration optimization; properties of petroleum fluids; reservoir simulation using computer models; and well test analysis.

Degrees awarded: Ph.D., M.S., Engineer

 
Environmental Earth System Science

The mission of Environmental Earth System Science is to engage in research and teaching in support of an integrated, comprehensive analysis of Earth’s land, atmosphere, oceans, and freshwater systems. From physical and biogeochemical sciences perspective, we seek to increase our understanding of Earth systems and provide foundations for problem solving related to environmental sustainability. To this end, we conduct research and train graduate and undergraduate students in the emerging fields of global environmental change and Earth system science.

 
Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences Graduate Program

The goal of EEES is to complement the disciplinary Earth Science and Engineering programs offered within the departments of the School of Earth Sciences and to train graduate students to integrate knowledge from these disciplines through tools and methods needed to evaluate the linkages among physical, chemical, and biological systems of the Earth, and understand the dynamics or evolution of these integrated systems and the resources they provide.

Degrees awarded: Ph.D., M.S.

 
Interdisciplinary Program in Environment & Resources

IPER is a new enterprise at Stanford University that gathers faculty from a variety of intellectual disciplines in order to provide students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of environmental problems and solutions at multiple levels. The program leverages faculty strengths in areas ranging from ecology, Earth science, and engineering to anthropology, law, and economics. The program's goal is to train the next generation of scholars to find effective solutions to real-world problems.

Degrees awarded: Ph.D., joint M.S. with one of Stanford's professional schools (Law, Business, or Medicine).

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