The mission of our department’s graduate education is to:

  • Establish graduate training and research in the department, among the top Earth and environmental science research departments in the country, by carrying out nationally and internationally recognized research across the broad range of geoscience disciplines
  • Train students for productive careers in industry, academia, and government by providing innovative teaching and mentoring and opportunities for participation in cutting-edge research activities
  • Connect with the broader UMass and scientific community concerning research in Earth processes, global change, and human geography

The department has a strong track record of career placement, faculty mentoring, and professional development and prides itself as being a collegial department without an imposing hierarchy. Students have training opportunities in a wide range of field, laboratory, and numerical approaches. Many of our graduate students and postdocs take on leadership roles in planning and organization. Across the department, an emphasis is placed on science communication and outreach.