Our M.A. and Ph.D. students investigate earth system processes in the range of disciplines covered by our research faculty. These include tectonics, volcanology, oceanography, surface processes, stratigraphy, structural geology, paleontology, planetary geology, geobiology, and more. Our students typically receive Graduate Employee fellowships that provide tuition waivers, health insurance, and a stipend to cover living expenses. The Department of Earth Sciences offers programs of graduate study leading to master of science (MS), master of arts (MA), and doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees with opportunity for research in a wide variety of specialty fields. The Ph.D. program provides students with experience and training in all aspects of scientific research, including the formulation and testing of hypotheses, acquiring skills needed for their chosen project, collection and interpretation of original data, and writing up the results as a set of published papers. The expectation for a Ph.D. student extends beyond that of a Masters student in the individual's ability to design and carry out original, independent research on a focused topic. At the Ph.D. level, the advisor provides guidance and input, but the student is expected to take the lead in designing, executing, and writing up the results of the work. This requires a reliable work ethic, intellectual and emotional maturity, and commitment to (ownership of) the chosen research project. In addition, a successful advisor/advisee relationship requires initial and ongoing mutual consent and open communication, students are encouraged to solicit advice and support from other faculty as well (e.g. committee members, graduate advisor, department head).