Earth Sciences

Graduate studies involve academic course work and independent research. The M.S. degree is intended to train students for professional careers in the Earth and environmental sciences, or as preparation for further graduate study. 

Requirements for the Masters Degree

General requirements of the Master of Science (MS) degree at Dartmouth College include three terms of residence and seven courses of graduate level, not more than four of which may be replaced by research or special study approved and supervised by the department.
To be considered for admission to the MS program a prospective student must:

• Complete the equivalent of the following Dartmouth Courses: MATH 3 (Introduction to Calculus) and MATH 8 (Calculus of Functions of One and Several Variables).
• Complete the equivalent (or higher) of any two of the following Dartmouth course sequences: CHEM 5 (General Chemistry) and CHEM 6; PHYS 3 (General Physics I) and PHYS 4 (General Physics II) (or PHYS 13 (Introductory Physics I) and PHYS 14 (Introductory Physics II)); Any two among BIOL 11 through BIOL 16 (The Science of Life, Emerging Infectious Diseases: How Microbes Rule the World, Why can’t we all just get along? Cooperation and Conflict across the Biological Science, Cell Structure and Function, Gene Expression and Inheritance, Genetic Variation and Evolution, Ecology).

In the case where a student is admitted into the MS program without having completed these prerequisites, the student must fulfill these prerequisites in addition to the specific degree requirements described below.
To fulfill the specific requirements of the Department of Earth Sciences for an MS degree, a student must:

• Successfully complete seven courses eligible for graduate credit (EARS 100 and above) at the discretion of the thesis committee. These courses must include EARS 201 (Earth Systems), EARS 202 (Geochemical Tracers), and EARS 203 (Earth Surface Processes) and either EARS 117 (Analysis of Environmental Data) or EARS 118 (Advanced Methods for Environmental Data Analysis). Courses not eligible for course credit toward a graduate degree include departmental seminar (EARS 121), special project research (EARS 131), thesis research (EARS 141-143), and teaching (EARS 149).
• Complete the equivalent of three terms of thesis research for registered credit (EARS 141-143) (Level I - Part-time Thesis Research (one-course equivalent), Level II - Part-time Thesis Research (two-course equivalent), Level III - Full-time Thesis Research (three-course equivalent)).
• Complete a thesis of professional quality, with a view to scholarly publication, and pass a final oral examination on the topic of the thesis.

• Official transcript(s) of all college or graduate-level credits. Successful applicants to the program have a strong general scientific background in basic physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and, ideally, a demonstrated aptitude for thinking analytically and solving quantitative problems. 
• Complete application
• Three letters of recommendation 
• Submission of GRE scores 
• Submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international students)
• Statement of goals

All admitted graduate students are given a stipend to cover living expenses (approximately $2300 per month). In addition, all graduate students receive a tuition fellowship to cover the full cost of tuition. Master's degree students are granted this support for 7 terms (2 years) given reasonable progress towards their degree. All graduate students are required to carry health insurance as well; graduate students receive single coverage during their enrollment.