The geological science program is designed to give students broad training in the basic sciences as well as field, theoretical, and practical experience through research in their specialty. The program has particular strengths in geophysics, geochemistry and petrology, structural geology, sedimentology, marine ecology, and energy resources. However, the exceptional flexibility of Cornell's graduate program provides ample opportunity for students to work across disciplinary areas. For example, arrangements exist for study of marine ecology, water resources, and various branches of applied geological science. Faculty members in other fields or divisions offer interdisciplinary courses including planetology and extraterrestrial geology, paleobotany, ecology and systematic, biogeochemistry, limnology, soil genesis, soil mineralogy, soil and rock mechanics, remote sensing, environmental fluid mechanics and hydrology, fluid dynamics, elasticity, geotechnical and earthquake engineering, regional planning, hydraulics and hydrology, and materials science and engineering.

Concentrations by Subject

• Economic geology
• Engineering geology
• Environmental geophysics
• General geology
• Geobiology
• Geochemistry and isotope geology
• Geohydrology
• Geomorphology
• Geophysics
• Geotectonics
• Marine geology (minor)
• Mineralogy
• Ocean science and technology
• Paleontology
• Petroleum geology
• Petrology
• Planetary geology
• Precambrian geology
• Quaternary geology
• Rock mechanics
• Sedimentology
• Seismology
• Stratigraphy
• Structural geology

Learning Outcomes

• Highly individualized program tailored to each student’s needs, depending on their backgrounds
• Acquisition of core knowledge in one of hydrology, applied geophysics, or ocean science and technology
• Communication skills demonstrated via a written project