PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Geology Program By Washington State University |Top Universities
Subject Ranking

# 151-200QS Subject Rankings

Main Subject Area

Earth and Marine SciencesMain Subject Area

Program overview

Main Subject

Earth and Marine Sciences

Study Level

PHD

The Ph.D. dissertation should be a significant contribution to the science of geology, worthy of publication in referred international journals. Geology Ph.D. candidates are required to choose an area of specialization in Geology listed below. Each specialization outlines required courses and provides additional help to design a program. The student’s program should be one of, or a combination of not more than two areas. The choice of course options and electives on the program will be based on the student’s research interest and needs. Undergraduate pre-requisites must be satisfied for all courses within the selected program, and will not count for graduate credit. It is expected that the Ph.D. degree requirements with previous M.S. degree be completed in three years (full-time enrollment, with assistantship); Ph.D. degree requirements without previous M.S. degree be completed in four years. Geology Ph.D. candidates must take 30 hours of 500-level graded major course work (If you enter the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree you are only required to take 15 credit hours of 500-level graded major course work). The thesis program must consist of not less than 34 hours of graded course work beyond the bachelor’s degree. It should include the most advanced courses appropriate to the field of study. Of the minimum 34 hours required, up to 9 credits of non-graduate credit (300- or 400-level) may be used. Graded seminars numbered 500 or above may be a part of the core program. Courses graded Pass/Fail may not be used in the core program. Only those master’s degree and transfer courses at a level equivalent to 400- and 500-level courses, and applicable to the doctoral core program should be listed in this category. Any course included in the program in which a grade of “C-” or below is earned must be repeated but not on a Pass/Fail basis. The Geology graduate program offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with specializations in: Sedimentology - Stratigraphy; Structural Geology-Tectonics; Mineralogy-Petrology-Geochemistry; Hydrogeology.

Program overview

Main Subject

Earth and Marine Sciences

Study Level

PHD

The Ph.D. dissertation should be a significant contribution to the science of geology, worthy of publication in referred international journals. Geology Ph.D. candidates are required to choose an area of specialization in Geology listed below. Each specialization outlines required courses and provides additional help to design a program. The student’s program should be one of, or a combination of not more than two areas. The choice of course options and electives on the program will be based on the student’s research interest and needs. Undergraduate pre-requisites must be satisfied for all courses within the selected program, and will not count for graduate credit. It is expected that the Ph.D. degree requirements with previous M.S. degree be completed in three years (full-time enrollment, with assistantship); Ph.D. degree requirements without previous M.S. degree be completed in four years. Geology Ph.D. candidates must take 30 hours of 500-level graded major course work (If you enter the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree you are only required to take 15 credit hours of 500-level graded major course work). The thesis program must consist of not less than 34 hours of graded course work beyond the bachelor’s degree. It should include the most advanced courses appropriate to the field of study. Of the minimum 34 hours required, up to 9 credits of non-graduate credit (300- or 400-level) may be used. Graded seminars numbered 500 or above may be a part of the core program. Courses graded Pass/Fail may not be used in the core program. Only those master’s degree and transfer courses at a level equivalent to 400- and 500-level courses, and applicable to the doctoral core program should be listed in this category. Any course included in the program in which a grade of “C-” or below is earned must be repeated but not on a Pass/Fail basis. The Geology graduate program offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with specializations in: Sedimentology - Stratigraphy; Structural Geology-Tectonics; Mineralogy-Petrology-Geochemistry; Hydrogeology.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

7+

Tuition fee and scholarships

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

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More programs from the university

Washington State University is a top-tier public research university where scholars strive to make the world a better place. Students volunteer 75,000+ hours of service annually. Undergraduates learn hands-on, alongside professors whose discoveries resonate globally. Research addresses issues in health, food, energy, sustainability, social opportunity, and global security.

  • 200+ FIELDS OF STUDY. Many undergraduate programs rank among America’s best. Broadcasting students gain practical experience at student-run television and radio stations. Organic agriculture students work on a 30-acre certified organic teaching farm. Business majors study overseas to experience cross-cultural practices.
  • LEARN BY DOING. Students enter national competitions in robotics, clean energy, business, and more. They present papers at conferences and publish findings in scholarly journals.
  • INTERNATIONAL EMPHASIS. Study abroad programs span 86 countries. The Honors College immerses students in discussion of international issues. 1,700+ international students enrich cultural diversity on campus.
  • 76 MASTER’S AND 66 DOCTORAL PROGRAMS. Plus, professional programs include business administration, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. An independently accredited medical school is planned for the Spokane Health Sciences Campus.
  • STATEWIDE AND WORLDWIDE REACH. At the flagship Pullman campus, Cougar spirit unites 18,000+ students. WSU also has locations in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett. Extension offices occupy every county. Online education is accessible worldwide.

Washington State University is a top-tier public research university where scholars strive to make the world a better place. Research addresses issues in health, food, energy, sustainability, social opportunity, and global security.

  • 76 MASTER’S AND 66 DOCTORAL PROGRAMS, PLUS PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS. Professional programs include business administration, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. An independently accredited medical school is planned for the Health Sciences Campus in Spokane.
  • NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY. WSU scholars include members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and recipients of numerous national awards and fellowships. WSU researchers garner worldwide recognition for their discoveries. Many stand among the most widely published and frequently cited scholars in the nation.
  • COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL LAB AND U.S. AGENCIES. WSU scholars team with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on research for sustainable production of bioproducts and biofuels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service works seamlessly with WSU researchers from on-campus offices.
  • STATEWIDE AND WORLDWIDE REACH. The main WSU campus in Pullman, nestled among the rolling hills of southeastern Washington, serves 18,000+ students. The Health Sciences Campus sits along the scenic riverfront in Spokane. Additional locations include Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett. Online education is accessible worldwide.

PHD programs