PhD Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University

Programme overview

The department educates scientists for academia, research, government and industry; most faculty and student research is based at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, with some students at the American Museum of Natural History or NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: New York, NY, United States

What you will study

PhD students receive graduate fellowships covering 12 months of salary for 5 years, Columbia housing, and a research allowance of $1,000 per year. Students lacking some background in math or chemistry are often admitted and complete it before or during the first semester.

Career pathways

Academia, research, government and industry.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

An undergraduate major in engineering or a natural science is required, with at least one college year at B or better in Chemistry, Calculus and calculus-based Physics (admission without all three is possible if completed soon after entry). Applicants submit one transcript per school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a personal statement and a resume. Three letters of evaluation (at least two from academic recommenders). Writing sample: not required. GRE General is not required. International applicants whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores. Fall 2027 entry application deadline: January 7, 2027.

Intake: Fall

Apply through the official page: https://www.gsas.columbia.edu/content/prospective-students

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