Advisor: Dr. Peter Voice
Room 1137, Rood Hall
The Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences is a research degree designed for persons intending to take leadership roles in teaching and research in one of four core areas of the Geosciences: Hydrogeology; Geochemistry and Economic Geology; Geophysics and Tectonics; Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Geology. Applicants will be expected to meet the minimum entrance requirements of the Graduate College and must demonstrate an interest in, and aptitude for, conducting high quality research.
Please note: Under exceptional circumstances, a student may request that the primary advisor petition the faculty for approval of modifications to the timelines stated below. Exceptions may only be granted by faculty vote.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in geology or related field is required; an M.S. degree is strongly recommended. Students must have completed, or must complete as soon as possible upon enrollment, GEOS 1300, 3010, and a minimum of three credits of field experience approved by the Graduate Director, or its equivalent. Any remedial course work completed upon enrollment in the graduate program must be completed with grade of "B" or better to satisfy this requirement. For students who enter the program with course work deficiencies, program requirement timelines (see below) will begin once remedial work has been satisfactorily completed, rather than upon matriculation in the program.
- Grade-point average of 3.25 (of 4.0) for prior graduate work. To be admitted without an M.S. degree, a GPA of at least 3.25 (of 4.0) during the previous two years of undergraduate work is required.
- Three letters of recommendation are required of all applicants from persons well situated to evaluate his/her qualifications for graduate study. If they are coming from a faculty member at a college or university, the letter should be on that school's letterhead. Letters must be submitted through the WMU electronic application system.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission. Individual advisors may request GRE scores for admission; please talk with your potential advisor.
Financial Assistance
Several departmental, University and grant-funded fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are available. Application forms and additional information are available from the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences and from the Graduate College.