About the Graduate Geology and Geophysics Degree Program
At UW, you can engage in geological field trips and research in Laramie, Wyoming,
and the surrounding area thanks to the magnificent natural laboratory of the Rocky
Mountains. You'll also have opportunities to work alongside expert faculty on world-class
research that could take you from Greenland to the Puna Plateau in Argentina in fields
ranging from surface chemistry to marine seismology.
All graduate students in our program receive a funding package that includes a competitive
stipend and covers tuition and fees.
Available Programs of Study:
- M.S. in Geology
- Ph.D. in Geology
- M.S. in Geophysics
- Ph.D. in Geophysics
Field Studies
Take field trips with your professors to see amazing geological features, such as
the widespread Precambrian rocks and the complexity of local structural geology. During
field studies, you'll collect and analyze field samples using first-class research
instrumentation.
Assistantships
Get help covering the cost of your graduate education through state-funded assistantships and external research grants.
Research
Receive academic mentoring with research in the field and labs through independent study projects or funded work with a scientific researcher. Our
faculty have conducted research right here in Wyoming and across the world in places
like Costa Rica, Antarctica, Norway, South America, the mid-Atlantic spreading ridge,
Alaska and Canada.
Internships
Receive hands-on, real-world experience through relevant internships with oil, gas
and environmental companies.
Job Fairs
Interact with different companies in the energy and environmental fields through the
annual Rocky Mountain Rendezvous (RMR), one of the top two regional job fairs in the
country for geologists.
The Department of Geology and Geophysics offers a vast array of classes. These are a few you might take:
- Fundamentals of Research
- Geochemical Analytical Methods
- Mechanics of Sediment Transport, Erosion and Deposition
- Methods in Petroleum Geology
- Ore Deposits
- Reflection Seismology
- Tectonic Evolution of the North American Cordillera
Full Curriculum Details
Learn more about our programs, course offerings and research opportunities!
What Can You Do With a Master's or Doctoral Degree in Geology or Geophysics?
With a master’s or doctoral degree in geology or geophysics from the University of Wyoming, you can pursue advanced careers in research, environmental consulting, energy and mineral exploration, natural hazard assessment, government agencies or academia. These degrees open doors to leadership roles, specialized technical positions and university-level teaching and research.
- Environmental Consultant
- Exploration Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Hydrogeologist
- Seismologist
- Petroleum Geologist
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Research Scientist
- Mining Geologist
- Climate Scientist
- Remote Sensing Specialist
- Natural Hazard Analyst
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Analyst
- University Professor or Lecturer
- Government Scientist
- BP Hess
- Chevron
- ExxonMobil
- Marathon Petroleum
- Shell
- Cameco
- US Gold Corp
- Buckskin Mine
- Enviro Care
- Recon
- Northwest Management
- Enerplus
- Nvidia
- Argo AI
- Smithsonian Institution
- Columbia University
- University of California, Merced
- University of Wisconsin
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Wyoming
- Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute (EORI)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Lawrence University
- University of Toronto
- Clemson University
- Wyoming State Geological Survey
- Stanford University
When you earn your master's or Ph.D. in geology or geophysics at the University of Wyoming, you'll benefit from a graduate program that's ranked in the top 50 graduate programs for geosciences. The individual mentoring you receive on independent study projects, including funded work with a scientific researcher, puts UW among the best geology graduate programs. You'll also benefit from state-of-the-art labs equipped with top-notch equipment and from internships with oil, gas and environmental companies, right here in Laramie, Wyoming, and across the U.S.
