Geophysics Graduate Program
To be reviewed for your desired entry term, your application must be complete, with all credentials received by the Office of Admissions, by the posted deadlines. All complete applications will be reviewed by the departmental graduate admissions committee.
Department Email: geophysics@mines.edu
Update: The Duolingo English test is now among the approved language proficiency exams for international applicants. The minimum required score is 105.
The GRE is optional.
Begin your journey in Geophysics
Resources for Current Students
Degrees and Certificates Offered
DEGREES OFFERED: Master of Science (Thesis and Non-Thesis Options); Doctor of Philosophy
| Application Deadlines | Courses |
| Program Requirements |
Our non-thesis option is designed for students wishing to advance their knowledge of geophysics through a professional degree. This 30-credit program includes 12 credits of required courses, and 18 additional credits of electives. Students may work with their advisor to customize a degree to address specific interests and career goals. A Computational Geophysics Track is available. Students typically complete this program in 1 to 1.5 years.
Our thesis masters programs are geared to students who want to advance their knowledge of geophysics in a research environment. This 30-credit degree includes 12 credits of required courses, 6 credits of research, and 12 additional elective credits that the student may use to customize the degree, to address specific interests and career goals. Students typically complete this program within two years.
Our doctoral (PhD) program is suitable for students who desire careers in research-intensive environments, including government agencies and academia. This 72-credit degree includes a range of professional development course requirements, 24 credits of research, and 12 additional credits of coursework in a minor program of study. The program also requires the student to satisfy a doctoral qualifying process, and several other programmatic criteria. Students typically complete the PhD program in 4-5 years.
Click here to learn more about our current research foci and programs.
DEGREES OFFERED: Certificate
| APPLICATION DEADLINES | |
| Fall 2024 I & II (August 21 start): August 1 | Certificate Overview |
Interdisciplinary Programs with Geophysics Tracks
- Humanitarian Engineering and Science: Humanitarian Geophysics
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering: Hydrogeophysics
- Data Science: Geophysics and Earth Resources
DEGREES OFFERED: Master of Science (Thesis and Non-Thesis Options)
| APPLICATION DEADLINES | |
These interdisciplinary degree programs are targeted to recent graduates or mid-career professionals with an undergraduate degree in science and engineering who are interested in careers, research opportunities and/or acquiring skills that will help them work effectively in a variety of fields. The Humanitarian Geophysics specialization of these degrees includes a core Humanitarian Engineering curriculum plus an approved stream of related courses in the geophysics or geophysical engineering disciplines.
Visit the Humanitarian Engineering page to learn more.
DEGREES OFFERED: Master of Science (Thesis and Non-Thesis Options)
| APPLICATION DEADLINES | |
These interdisciplinary programs, including an Area of Specialization in Hydrogeophysics, are designed for students who aim to advance their knowledge of hydrologic science with geophysics and engineering applications. Typical employers for students with this degree include environmental consulting firms. the U.S. Geological Survey, the petroleum industry, and various regulatory agencies. All programs include a range of core and elective course requirements, and additional criteria depending upon the degree.
For detailed information and specific requirements, visit the Hydrology Program website.
DEGREES Offered:
Master of Science (Non-Thesis)
Graduate Certificate in Data Science – Earth Resources (Online)
| APPLICATION DEADLINES | |
The Master of Science in Data Science program gives students a foundation in statistics and computer science as well as the knowledge to apply these skills to a particular science or engineering discipline. The program follows a 3 X 3 + 1 design: three modules, each consisting of three 3-credit courses in a particular aspect of data science (data modeling and statistical learning; machine learning, data processing and algorithms and parallel computation; individualized and domain-specific coursework), plus a mini-module of three 1-credit professional development courses.
Students enrolled in this program may choose to individualize their degree with a geophysics focus by taking domain-specific course work in geophysical data integration, remote sensing, inversion theory, and other electives that enhance the student’s knowledge of geophysical techniques in the context of data science and machine learning.
Visit the Data Science Program Page to learn more.
Financial Support for Graduate Programs
Research and teaching assistantships are available for students in the Master of Science thesis option and PhD degree programs. Applicants must indicate their interest in receiving financial support at the time they apply. We evaluate that request at the time we review an application for admission to the program. Additionally, the Department awards nearly $100,000 in fellowships/scholarships annually to graduate and undergraduate students combined. The Department considers actively enrolled students for scholarships as they come available.
Financial support is generally not available for non-thesis graduate programs.