About Earth And Planetary Sciences in Washington University in St. Louis
Whether you're interested in studying the world beneath your feet, or worlds farther away, the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences provides the tools for understanding the processes that shaped our planet and other solar system bodies. Understanding the Earth system is also the key to addressing many environmental challenges, including climate change, water quality, and sources of energy.
The department offers undergraduates majors in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and environmental earth sciences, as well as minors in earth and planetary sciences and environmental earth sciences. The doctoral program at Washington University is medium-sized and nationally ranked with opportunities for scholarship in many areas, including geology, geobiology, geochemistry, geophysics, and planetary science.
Undergraduate majors often conduct research during the semester or over the summer, working with faculty in the laboratory to conduct experiments and in the field to gather data. Many students participate in cutting-edge research using advanced lab equipment and powerful computing systems, and some have co-authored published scientific papers. Students learn hands-on geology through visits to unusual geological structures in the local Midwest and abroad. Recent field studies in which undergraduate students have participated have involved expeditions to Antarctica, Tonga and Fiji, Madagascar, the Galapagos, Italy, and Scotland.
Academic qualification equivalents
- Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree
English language requirements
- IELTS : 7.0
- TOEFL IBT: 100
- PTE : 68
