Environmental Science and Engineering

Students in the GPS graduate program study the earth and other planets to understand their origin, composition, and development, and to examine the effects of their resulting physical and chemical characteristics on the history of life, on the environment, and on humanity.

A broad training in fundamental science, enriched by specialized coursework within the division, forms the basis of the graduate educational program. GPS graduate students are encouraged to work with complex and often incomplete data sets, to use the many modern laboratory facilities available within the division, and to undertake research in natural settings outside the lab. GPS's flexible curriculum allows graduate students with diverse backgrounds and degrees in science and engineering to carry out their graduate work within GPS while simultaneously pursuing interdisciplinary studies within a number of Caltech's other academic divisions.

The course program must include the core courses ESE 101, 102 and 103. Attendance at the weekly research seminar (ESE 104 and ESE 110abc) is required for first-year students and is expected of all graduate students. All students are expected to have knowledge of methods of applied mathematics and statistics on the level of courses such as Ge 108 and Ge/ESE 118. In cases of unusual preparation, students may petition to substitute a similar but more advanced course for one of the required courses.

Additionally, students are required to take 36 units of elective courses from the following menu:

• Environmental biology: ESE/Bi 166, ESE/Bi 168, Ge/ESE 170
• Environmental chemistry: ESE 175, ESE176, ESE/Ge/Ch 171
• Environmental physics: ESE 130–138, Ge/ESE 139, Ge/ESE 150

The 36 units of elective courses must include courses from at least two of the above three groups.

The remaining units of graduate work can be fulfilled by a combination of elective courses in ESE or related disciplines, reading or laboratory courses (ESE 100), and research (ESE 106, 300). Of the total required 135 units, no more than 45 units may be in research. No more than 27 research units may be taken during the first year of graduate study. Exceptions may be granted by petition.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in the related area
• Statement of Purpose
• Include payment of the application fee or submit a fee waiver request. 
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic and/or work performance are required for all applicants. 
• Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended are required. Transcripts may be sent directly from the Registrar of the institution you attended or transcripts issued directly to the applicant, and so marked, are acceptable, and can be submitted online following the electronic submission process. If you attended Caltech as an undergraduate, you must request an official transcript from the Office of the Registrar. We cannot obtain one on your behalf. 
• Attach a CV or resume
• TOEFL

Scholarships

• Teaching Assistantships
• Global Education