Prospective Students
Recent Grad, Dr. Rebecca Terry
Graduate course classroom meeting.
Graduate Students have access to both new experimental instruments and tried and true instruments like this electron microprobe which has been operational for more than 15 years. We are currently beginning construction on the next generation nanoprobe!
Graduate students attending a lecture by Prof. Andrew Davis on the detection of neutrinos by his father, Noble Prize winner Raymond Davis Jr. Neutrinos are produced in the Sun by the pp-chain reaction, which burns hydrogen into helium and releases energy.
Welcome to the Department of Geophysical Sciences, and thank you for showing interest in continuing your education with us here at the University of Chicago. We are a diverse department exploring the Earth and the cosmos from nearly every angle imaginable. Students are integral in our department's efforts to gain new insights into planetary processes, and the desire to educate and train the next generation of thinkers is at the core of the foundation and practice of this department.
Our Teaching Philosophy
Students enter our programs with a wide range of backgrounds, and leave with an even more diverse set of skills. This creates a wonderful atmosphere for the exchange of ideas, but complicates the logistics of teaching. We do not offer a core set of classes that everyone must take; in fact, in our doctoral degree, there is only one required course. Instead, every student takes a different set of classes, tailoring their education to their specific interests, relying heavily on reading and research classes with specific professors. Broad themes are covered not within a classroom, but in seminar series and journal clubs. Students hear perspectives from different members of the faculty and gain understanding not only of the background information, but also how to approach both emerging and ancient problems. Students learn not just from faculty, but also other students, and research staff. Most importantly, students teach themselves. The key to success in this department is self motivation. This department has dedicated faculty eager to work with you along a path of learning of your choice.
If you are interested in finding out more information about our department, we invite you to explore our web pages, e-mail us, or come and visit.
