Geoscience Discipline (GD)
The Geophysics graduate program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is gearing up for an exciting change, with the introduction of a new Geodesy Track for PhD candidates starting in 2025. This multidisciplinary program focuses on understanding Earth's shape, gravity field, and geodetic measurements, emphasizing strong quantitative and programming skills alongside geophysical fundamentals.
Program Overview
The Master's (MS) program at Scripps offers a broad education in geophysics, alongside research and coursework spanning multiple specializations. The MS plan-thesis degree option requires students to contact a thesis adviser and co-adviser prior to, or as part of, the application process, and a minimum of thirty-six units of credit, including foundational courses and twelve units of research work (SIO299).
The program welcomes graduate students from a diverse range of science and engineering backgrounds, and students are expected to complete a sequence of foundational classes during the first year, which includes SIOG 200 A/B/C, SIOG 223A, SIOG 223B, SIOG 238, SIOG 225, SIOG 234, and more. Additionally, the MS program offers various electives such as SIOG 221, SIOG 222, SIOG 224, SIOG 227A, SIOG 227B, SIOG 227C, SIOG 228, SIOG 229, SIOG 230, SIOG 231, SIOG 232, SIOG 233, SIOG 236, SIOG 239, SIOG 240, and SIOG 247.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
Prospective students typically hold a bachelor’s (or master’s) degree in a relevant field such as geophysics, earth sciences, physics, or engineering. Applications should be submitted by December 4, 2024, through the university’s graduate admissions portal.
In addition to the application form, students must provide academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and possibly a CV or resume. Some programs may also require a writing sample or research proposal, especially for a PhD track like Geodesy.
For the Geodesy Track starting in 2025, it is likely that candidates will need to identify and contact potential faculty advisors, especially for PhD tracks. It is recommended that applicants check the official Scripps Institution of Oceanography graduate admissions website or contact their admissions office directly for the most current and precise information regarding admission eligibility criteria, application deadlines, documentation required, and specific details about the Geodesy Track for the 2025 PhD intake.
Student Support and Research Opportunities
The program provides graduate student handbooks and offers a hands-on, collaborative learning environment with opportunities for field experiments, instrument development, laboratory investigations, and shipboard expeditions. Research projects emphasize observational techniques and the collection of novel datasets linked to testing new theoretical and computational approaches.
Student support during the first year may come from a variety of sources, including external or departmental fellowships and research grants. The program's faculty includes renowned researchers such as Duncan Agnew, Jon Berger, Catherine Degroot-Hedlin, Alistair Harding, Michael Hedlin, Guy Masters, Jean-Bernard Minster, John Orcutt, Len Srnka, Hubert Staudigel, Lisa Tauxe, Frank Vernon, and Mark Zumberge.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, industry, or public service. Potential advisors and projects for Fall 2025 admission include research in geomagnetism and paleomagnetism, marine electromagnetic methods, observational seismology, space geodesy, computational and theoretical seismology, observational seismology, marine geophysics, geodynamics, space geodesy, global seafloor mapping, seismology, granular physics, Martian geophysics, reflection seismology, and more. The Geodesy Track includes additional classes on methods and observations to study Earth's physical processes such as tectonic deformation, gravity, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanos, meteorology, hydrology, glaciers, and climate change.
For more information about the Geophysics graduate program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, including the new Geodesy Track for PhD candidates, visit the official Scripps Institution of Oceanography graduate admissions website or contact their admissions office directly.
- Pursuing the Master's (MS) program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers students a chance to delve into Marine Biology as an elective, providing education on ocean organisms and their roles within the ecosystem.
- In conjunction with the traditional Geophysics courses, students may also explore Climate Science and Environmental-Science, learning about Earth's climate, ecosystems, and conservation efforts through various electives.
- For education-and-self-development, students in the Geophysics graduate program at Scripps can choose Learning as an elective, honing their skills in research methodology, data analysis, and scientific writing necessary for academic, industry, or public service careers.
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