The Ph.D. in Geology will give you a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of geology and training in methods of research.
Through this degree program, you will learn how to:
- Explain the scope, significance and limitations of geological information to land and environment stewardship stakeholders and civil infrastructure stakeholders.
- Develop new methods to evaluate risk and vulnerability from geological hazards and to make detailed evaluations about the quality and quantity of Earth's resources.
- Determine whether geological data indicate a subsurface target of interest so that reliable drilling and excavation decisions can be made.
- Design and execute field studies that employ geological data to solve a geoscience problem.
- Create robust and reliable inferences of fundamental Earth structures and processes from incomplete and possibly inaccurate geological information.
- Combine geological and geophysical data to build and assess the implications of integrative models whose value exceeds the sum of its components.
- Deliver oral presentations and answer technical questions, in which you will describe and interpret geological information and carefully explain compelling conclusions to the audience in plain language.
- Prepare and widely circulate well-written and well-structured documents that contain sound reasoning and robust conclusions based on geological principles.
- Use the full capabilities of commercial software packages to process, display and manipulate geological data, and work with companies for their further development and refinement.
- Use advanced geological field and laboratory equipment.
- Execute robust and decisive tests of geological research hypotheses using advanced principles, data and techniques.
- Apply and further develop advanced principles of scientific uncertainty as they relate to geological hypothesis testing.
- Be a role model of professional conduct in research, and assume leadership roles of professional societies within geological sciences.
- Demonstrate exemplary behavior in balancing stakeholder, client and public interest as it pertains to geological investigations.
Ph.D. in Geology Program Requirements
Earning a Doctoral Degree
The doctoral program gives you a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of your professional field and training in methods of research.
The final basis for granting the degree will be your grasp of the subject matter of a broad field of study and a demonstrated ability to do independent research. You also must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and convincingly in both oral and written form.
The degree is not granted solely for the completion of coursework, residence and technical requirements, although these must be met.