PhD

Marine Geosciences

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 29.8 k / Year(s) Deadline: Dec 1, 2025
44 place StudyQA ranking:5899 Duration:

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From tectonics at active plate margins to clastic sedimentation and carbonate systems in the marine environment, our research encompasses a wide range of marine geology and geophysics. Our researchers also study the interactions between oceanography and climate with tectonic and sedimentary systems and use a variety of techniques to past environments and paleoclimatology. Our rapid response program allows us to make timely field observations of transient geohazard events.
Research in the Marine Geosciences theme focuses on the following subthemes:

  • Marine Sedimentary Systems
  • Oceanography & Paleoclimate
  • Plate Boundary Processes

On a general level, Marine Geosciences is a multi-disciplinary endeavor and students take a broad range of courses. This includes a Marine Geology & Geophysics Field Course to provide hands-on instruction for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in collecting and processing Marine Geosciences data.

Marine Geology & Geophysics

GEO 381T Marine TectonicsTectonic processes within the dynamic Earth, with a focus on oceanic structures. 
GEO f391/f348K Marine Geology and Geophysics Field Course
GEO 391 Marine GeologyPrerequisite: Graduate standing in geological sciences.
GEO 391 Marine Geology and Geophysics Topics

Sedimentology & Stratigraphy

GEO 380G Construction and Interpretation of 3-D Stratigraphy
GEO 380R Dynamics of Sedimentary Systems I
GEO 383 Depositional Systems: Terrigenous Clastics
GEO 383N Depositional Systems: Carbonates/Evaporites
GEO 380N Sequence StratigraphyUse of seismic reflection systems for quantitative stratigraphic characterization of the subsurface. 
GEO 383S Sedimentary Basin AnalysisQuantitative and applied study of basin subsidence and sediment accumulation. 
GEO 383T Tectonic Climate Interaction in Foreland Basins

Geophysics

GEO 383D Numerical Methods I
GEO 391 Earth Dynamics
GEO 384C Geophysics I: Exploration GeophysicsSeismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical, and electromagnetic methods of exploration for petroleum and minerals. 
GEO 384S Seismic Reflection Processing
GEO 384G Subsurface Mapping on Petroleum WorkstationsIntroduction to basin analysis, subsurface mapping, and petroleum exploration using a workstation. 

Structure and Tectonics

GEO 386G GIS & GPS Applications in Earth SciencesTheory and practice of geographic information system (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies, and their applications to problems in earth.
GEO 381K Tectonic ProblemsOrigin of regional structural features, complex and controversial structures; tectonic control of ore deposits. 
GEO 391 Ins and Outs of Subduction Zones
GEO 380C Advanced Structural GeologyOrigin of earth structures, solution of advanced structural problems, newest techniques, field techniques, and field problems.
GEO 391 Continental Tectonics

Hydrogeology

GEO 291 HydrogeophysicsFor each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester; additional hours may be required for some topics. 
GEO 382D Crustal GeofluidsDesigned to provide a technical foundation for exploring how fluids drive fundamental geologic processes in sedimentary basins. Includes characterizing... 

Climate

GEO 380T PaleoclimatologyExamines climate records encoded in sedimentary archives through geologic time. Normally offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing... 
GEO 391 Late Pleistocene Variability

Requirements

  • Application for Admission 
  • Official GRE scores 
  • Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae
  • Letters of Recommendation from three individuals
  • The application fee is $65 for U.S. applicants and $90 for International applicants
  • Official Transcripts. Include transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. You will uploadyour transcript as a PDF after you submitted your application and paid the applicationfee. Upload your transcript(s) on the Status Check page. 
  • Official TOEFL Scores
  • Financial Responsibility Form 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

  • ✔️ Flexible study schedule
  • ✔️ Experienced teachers
  • ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

On average, Jackson School graduate students admitted with support receive some of the best overall packages in the country. In 2011-12, starting salaries for TAs and RAs were approximately $1,950 a month. Full fellowships were $36,000 for a 12-month period and are now eligible for the same UT Austin benefits package as any TA or RA. JSG support, in addition to being generous, is guaranteed (subject to requirements) and includes outstanding health benefits. Our students further benefit from living in Austin, a comparatively affordable U.S. city.

Standard offers of admission guarantee support for established durations, subject to satisfactory work performance and progress toward a graduate degree.

Durations of guaranteed institutional support:

  • Ph.D. Program: 10 semesters (fall and spring).

Guaranteed support takes the forms of fellowships, teaching assistantships (TAs), and graduate research assistantships (GRAs). Students pursuing the M.A. degree are not eligible for this support.

The Jackson School also provides:

  • Professional development support:
    • $3,000 for all Ph.D. students.
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