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Information for Prospective Graduate Students

Application deadline for Fall Semester admittance is January 5 of the same year.

Lake Superior from space

We welcome applications from students interested in pursuing graduate degrees at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels. The Department of Geological Sciences at UMD has active research programs in basin analysis, economic geology, glacial geology, hydrology, isotope geochemistry, geophysics, limnology, paleoclimatology, petrology, planetary geology, sedimentology, structural geology, and tectonics. UMD is admirably situated for a wide variety of geologic interests. We have active programs around the globe and on the terrestrial planets. In addition, Duluth has an outstanding natural environment in which to live, with great cultural and recreational opportunities.

Grad student Michael Rieser conducting field work in the Mojave Desert

UMD Geological Sciences offers programs leading to the M.S or Ph.D. within the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota. Faculty and students have a close working relationship. Programs are tailored to the area of the student's specialization, in consultation with a faculty advisor. We strive for research that balances field, laboratory, and theoretical studies. Although most candidates for advanced degrees will have completed a bachelor’s degree in geology, geophysics, or related fields, students in other fields of natural science are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have at least one year each of calculus, chemistry, and physics. Field camp and/or undergraduate research experience is recommended.

Shovel Point from Palisade Head, North Shore

The Ph.D. program is a cooperative program with the University of Minnesota, Department of Geology and Geophysics in the Twin Cities. Students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree with an advisor on the Duluth campus should contact the specific faculty member(s) that you are interested in working with, as well as the UMD Geological Sciences, Director of Graduate Studies. (Students must formally apply through our sister department in the Twin Cities, where the Ph.D. program is based, and, in their application they must indicate their desire to be based on the Duluth campus.) For more information on the Ph.D. program, visit the University of Minnesota Department of Geology and Geophysics web site.

The Master's program is based on the Duluth campus. Faculty and students have a close working relationship. Programs are tailored to the area of the student's specialization, in consultation with a faculty advisor. We strive for research that balances field, laboratory, and theoretical studies. Our Master's graduates are well prepared for either professional geological work, in industry or in government, or for further graduate study.

Many of our graduate students have financial support in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Students with TA or RA support receive a stipend comparable to those at many universities, a full tuition scholarship, and a health insurance program. Priority for financial support is given to those applications received by January 5. Once in residence, some support for thesis research and travel to meetings to present the results of one’s research is available. M.S. applicants should expect to complete their degree in two years. Students that are interested in applying for an M.S. degree should browse the department web page and faculty research pages to make sure that UMD is a good fit for their specific research interests. There is also support available with the Graduate Fellows In K-12 Education program for those interested in developing skills in teaching science to non-technical audiences.

Application Procedures - Ph.D.

A student must formally apply and be accepted through our sister department in the Twin Cities (where the Ph.D. program is based). In your application you must indicate your desire to work with an advisor on the Duluth campus. Therefore, before submitting an application, please contact the UMD faculty member(s) you are interested in working with, and discuss possible research directions and projects with them. Students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree on Duluth campus should also contact the UMD Geological Sciences Director of Graduate Studies. For specific information and application procedures and forms regarding the Ph.D. program, please visit the Department of Geology and Geophysics’ website at: http://www.geo.umn.edu/dept/programs/Graduate.html

Application Procedures - M.S.

Graduate School applications are online via the UMD Graduate School website.

Application Procedures for Graduate Studies

Application deadline for Fall admittance is JANUARY 5 of the same year.

Please note that it may be necessary to send certain supporting materials to BOTH the Graduate School AND the Department of Geological Sciences.

What	Send To:	Methods of Submission
Application for Admission	Graduate School	ApplyYourself Online
Application Fee	Graduate School	ApplyYourself Online
Department Application for Financial Aid	Department	Mail (click here for .pdf)
Transcripts	Graduate School AND Department	Graduate School: Official copies sent directly from your institutions to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (address and fax# below) Department: -Mail unofficial copies as long as they were issued with your name and the name of the institution on them,or -Legible, scanned copy via email to <geol@d.umn.edu>
GRE Scores	Department	Official copy via mail (department )
TOEFL Scores Click here for U of M's operational standards.	Graduate School AND Department	Graduate School: Official copy via mail Department: Official or unofficial - via mail -OR- Legible, scanned copy via email to <pmorton@d.umn.edu>
Three (3) Letters of Reference	Department	Two options: 1) Uploaded via ApplyYourself Online -OR- 2) via mail to department, address listed below
Optional Materials (e.g. CV; abstracts; lists of teaching/research experience; publications)	Department	Three options: 1) Uploaded via ApplyYourself Online -OR- 2) via mail to department, address listed below -OR- 3) via email to <geol@d.umn.edu>

Graduate School Twin Cities Admission Office Mailing AddressGraduate School
University of Minnesota
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0421

fax: 612-625-6002

Department of Geological Sciences UMD

Dr. Penelope Morton, Director of Graduate Studies
University of Minnesota Duluth
1114 Kirby Drive, 213 Heller Hall
Duluth, MN 55812

Email: pmorton@d.umn.edu
Phone: (218) 726-7962

Department Geological Sciences
Email: geol@d.umn.edu
Phone: (218) 726-8385
Web: http://www.d.umn.edu/geology

UMD Graduate School
Email: grad@d.umn.edu
Phone: (218) 726-7523
Web: http://www.d.umn.edu/grad