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Geology and Geophysics

Master of Science (M.S.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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A natural laboratory - in our backyard

Wildfires in Colorado, sand bars in California and ore deposits in Wyoming. Laboratory analysis, field work and computers models. Those are just a few of the research opportunities that await you when you become part of the geology graduate programs at the University of Wyoming.

Whether you choose the master's or Ph.D. in geology or geophysics, you'll work closely with world-class faculty who are tackling some of today's most pressing earth science problems, from quantifying the strength of plate boundaries to developing strategies for sequestration of carbon dioxide from Earth's atmosphere.

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Program Details

Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Department of Geology and Geophysics

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.

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.

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


Have questions?
Please reach out to us by calling (307) 766-3386 or emailing geol-geophys@uwyo.edu.

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Field Studies

Take field trips with your professors to see amazing geological features, such as the widespread Precambrian rocks and 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.

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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

View the full curriculum for the master of science in geology.

View the full curriculum for the Ph.D. in geology.

View the full curriculum for the master of science in geophysics.

View the full curriculum for the Ph.D. in geophysics.

 

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What Can You Do With a Master's or Doctoral Degree in Geology or Geophysics?

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. You'll be well positioned to work as a geologist and geophysicists in fields ranging from environmental geology to geoscience to exploration geophysics. Starting salaries for UW graduates working at private companies range from $80,000 to $100,000. Our graduates also go on to top higher-education institutions, including Yale University, University of Chicago, Stanford University, University of Arizona and Penn State University.

Geology and Geophysics Careers

Graduates of this program work at major private companies, including:

  • BP Hess
  • Chevron
  • ExxonMobil
  • Marathon Petroleum
  • Shell
  • Cameco
  • US Gold Corp
  • Buckskin Mine
  • Enviro Care
  • Recon
  • Northwest Management
  • Enerplus
  • Nvidia
  • Argo AI

 

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Our program graduates hold positions at:

  • 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
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Geology and Geophysics Graduate Degree Program Highlights

If your primary interest is in field geology and geochemistry, the University of Wyoming's geology and geophysics graduate degree program is ideal for you. Here are a few of the many reasons to consider UW's master's or Ph.D. in geology or geophysics:

Faculty

Learn from and collaborate with faculty in UW's Department of Geology and Geophysics, who are tackling some of the most important problems in earth science today, including geochemistry research and geophysics.

Facilities

Benefit from UW's outstanding geology and geophysics research facilities, with state-of-the-art instrumentation, such as our Materials Characterization Lab, Geochemistry Analytical Lab and Geological Museum.

Scholarships

Get nominated for merit-based graduate scholarships by faculty in UW's Department of Geology and Geophysics.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your passion through the Geology Club and the Geophysics Student Group.

 

Related Programs

Are you interested in a related advanced degree? These programs might also be of interest :

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Department of Geology and Geophysics

1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071-2000

Phone: (307) 766-3386

Email: geol-geophys@uwyo.edu