Michigan Tech’s master’s and PhD programs in geology deepen your understanding of
the Earth and the processes that shape it. Investigate mineral resources, volcanic
activity, or climate change through research in the field and the lab. Advance your
career in the geosciences with the expertise to help communities understand natural
hazards and reduce the risks they face.
Students earning MS or PhD degrees in Geology may choose from diverse career opportunities
in disciplines ranging from economic mineralogy, to volcanology and atmospheric studies,
to climate change. Geology students are curious about the Earth and how it operates,
and their studies often incorporate a significant sociological component, i.e., social
geology. For example, the majority of students specializing in volcanology take an
interest in not only the geology of volcanoes, but also the hazard awareness and risk
mitigation critical to communities affected by volcanic eruptions. Geologic studies
rely on remote sensing data collected via satellites and geophysical surveys; therefore,
geology students often choose to integrate remote sensing techniques into their studies.
Master's Program
PhD Program
International, Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities
The majority of our graduate students are involved in international field-oriented research, but some focus on laboratory or computer studies. The department’s research activities cross disciplinary and national borders, spanning the following areas:
- Development of complex computational models of earth systems
- Laboratory experiments analyzing earth material phenomena
- Analysis of remote-sensing data of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere
- Properties of the Earth’s deep interior and its ancient past
- Field measurements of volcanologic, hydrologic, and atmospheric systems
- Seismic imaging of underground oil and gas reservoirs and their properties
Research funding averages nearly $3 million per year for the department. Field research is conducted domestically in Alaska and Yellowstone, as well as in the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula and Lake Superior watershed. Our international efforts bring faculty and student researchers to locations across North and South America, as well as to Australia and Southeast Asia.
Service Programs
Students interested in pursuing an MS degree through the VISTA, Americorps, or Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows program can choose either a Thesis Option or Report Option. The Thesis Option is intended for students who plan to conduct original scientific research in the course of their VISTA, Americorps, or Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows program.
For more information about the VISTA, Americorps, or Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows programs in the GMES department program, please contact: Luke Bowman.
World-Class Facilities
Our department features world-class computer and analytical laboratory facilities. Specialized laboratories include the Laboratory for Atmospheric Remote Sensing, the Subsurface Visualization Laboratory, the Seismology and Petrophysics Laboratory, the Earthquake Seismology Laboratory, the Hydrogeology Laboratory, and the Earth Magnetism Laboratory.