PhD Geophysics at University of Nevada, Reno

Programme overview

The Geophysics Ph.D. is a research-oriented programme that brings mathematics and physics into field-based study of the Earth, with the motto 'The earth is our laboratory'. Students study the global properties of the Earth (gravity, magnetic field, crustal motions, interior dynamics) and near-surface and interior properties using seismology, electromagnetics, potential fields, remote sensing, geodesy and GPS.

Faculty: College of Science | Department: Geological Sciences and Engineering | Study mode: full-time | Location: Reno, NV, United States

What you will study

Areas of specialization include earthquakes and neotectonics, geodesy, geologic hazards, geophysical exploration, seismology and seismic hazards, remote sensing and paleomagnetism. Students have access to field instrumentation and labs for seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical and rock-property studies and collaborate with the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering (MS/PhD): bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least 30 credits of undergraduate geology and/or related coursework for full standing; three letters of recommendation; one to two page personal statement; transcripts; English exam score if from a non-English-speaking country; GRE not required. Deadlines: Jan. 1 (Fall), Sept. 15 (Spring). Admission also requires a faculty member willing to serve as advisor. Geophysics applicants are expected to have a strong quantitative background: a one-year university physics course with calculus, three semesters of calculus and fundamentals of geology; differential equations, linear algebra or programming are beneficial.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Fall (Jan. 1) and Spring (Sept. 15)

Apply through the official page: https://www.unr.edu/grad/apply

Explore more study programmes

Engineering