Overview
The Marine Geology and Geophysics program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) focuses on understanding how our earth works by investigating...
- The structure of the earth beneath the oceans
- The processes that shape the seafloor
- The interactions between geological and biological systems
- The history of ocean circulation patterns and climate change preserved in seafloor and lake sediments, corals, ice sheets, and other natural archives
- Climate variability and impacts
Interdisciplinary work
Investigators from different disciplines also often work together with the goal of understanding the interactions between earth's processes, the oceans, and ecosystems.
Geological processes influence the chemistry of the oceans and impact the distribution of organisms. Similarly, biological processes affect the chemistry of the oceans and sediments, and can even alter the composition of oceanic crust. Climate studies are naturally interdisciplinary.
Research tools and techniques
To explore the seafloor, marine geologists and geophysicists use a wide range of research tools and techniques, including field work, laboratory analyses, and numerical modeling.
Many go to sea on research vessels to collect data and samples, either remotely using geophysical tools, rock dredging, sediment coring, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), or directly using a submersible.
While climate scientists also often use seafloor samples, they also use other natural archives such as lake and marsh sediment, corals, ice sheets, cave deposits, and trees to develop climate reconstructions.
Across these subdisciplines, cruises and field work are typically followed by extensive data and/or sample analysis in the laboratory, and interpretation and modeling of the results.
Unique opportunity
In the Joint Program, graduate students have a unique opportunity for training and research in fields including geophysics, petrology and geochemistry, coastal processes, past, present, and future climate variability and impacts.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Coastal Studies
- Geochemistry
- Marine geology/geophysics/tectonics
- Paleoceanography
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 60 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
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Language
Credits
Delivered
Disciplines
Physics Earth Sciences Geology View 56 other PhDs in Physics in United StatesAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any academic requirements for this programme.
English requirements
Other requirements
General requirements
- In the application, you will be asked to supply the names and email addresses of three people to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf
- Transcripts
- You will be required to describe the grading system(s) used at all colleges and universities you have attended. Explain the specific meaning of any numeric values, letter grades, and rankings
- English Language Proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
- Statement of Objectives
Tuition Fee
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International
26725 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 26725 USD per year during 60 months. -
National
26725 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 26725 USD per year during 60 months.
Living costs for Cambridge
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.