Selecting a Thesis Topic and Faculty Adviser

Applicants to the MA in Earth & Environment will have academic and professional goals related to the broad realms of Earth and environmental science. A typical applicant will be interested in the human dimensions of the environment, the physical systems of the Earth, and/or the intersection of the two.

Prospective applicants to the program should have a target research area that they plan to study and are encouraged to contact faculty with whom the applicant is interested in working on the thesis project.

Students will be admitted with a preliminary thesis adviser; however, it is possible to change advisers as coursework and research progress.

The research interests in our department include a wide range. Applicants should review how the department organizes its research and contact faculty members directly to begin a conversation about potentially advising. Admission to the MA in Earth & Environment is contingent upon an invitation from the faculty.

Students work very closely with their advisors throughout their matriculation. Advisors recommend courses, direct the students’ research, and serve as mentors to the scientists of the future. Students work closely also with other faculty, especially the two additional faculty who will serve on the official thesis committee.

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