MS in Earth and Environmental Sciences

The department offers an M.S. degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences. The M.S. degree is thesis-based. Faculty interests and programs center on the Earth sciences, environmental science, and ecology. Research opportunities include both laboratory and field-oriented studies.

The Department

The EES Department offers a graduate program linked to nationally prominent research in key areas of Earth & Environmental Science. Our internationally recognized faculty work closely with students on their research projects and offer engaging and cutting-edge graduate courses. Active research discussion groups, weekly departmental lunches, and seminars, and an annual graduate student research symposium all facilitate broad discussion, collaboration, and a dynamic intellectual environment.

Program Highlights

• Strong, research-active faculty in Earth sciences, environmental science, and ecology.
• Professional development activities are integral to the M.S.program.
• Graduate Students receive departmental funding for professional travel and fieldwork.
• Employment opportunities in the Earth science consulting industry, state and federal geological surveys, and academia.

Current Graduate Students

Graduate school is an exciting time during which you can follow your passions as you pursue advanced study and research. Like with just about any human endeavor, there are some rules, guidelines, and activities that will shape your path towards your degree and professional development.

Our main expectation is that our graduate students view and conduct themselves as professionals, so it's your responsibility to be aware of degree requirements, advisor and departmental expectations, and University, College, and departmental policies. Here you'll find some help in accomplishing that.

Departmental Resources

You can seek help from a range of people. Within EES our office staff can help with scheduling and general procedures like reimbursements. Learn to work with your advisor and go to them for information about expectations, lab policies, and academic and career strategies. Bring any grievances or questions about EES policies to either the head of the Graduate Instruction Committee (currently Bob Booth), your representative to that committee, or the department Chair (currently Gray Bebout).

Other Resources

There are also important and helpful resources available outside the department. Kathleen Hutnik and her staff at the Graduate Life Office coordinate a range of activities and support programs for graduate students. An absolutely essential resource to take advantage of is the expertise held in the CAS graduate office by Mary Ann Haller (610-758-4280) and Tyler Frey (610-758-4281), about degree requirements and policies: neither your advisor nor the GIC will always be up-to-date on all the details, so don't hesitate to seek help from Tyler and Mary Ann.

Why choose Lehigh?

We have a focused, field-oriented graduate program linked to nationally prominent research in key areas of the Earth system. In this time of increased focus on multidisciplinary science, we think our program is a great way for you to get your graduate training and credentials. Our well-funded, well-connected faculty tend to work closely with a few students at a time on their research, something that can be lacking in large programs. Graduate work in EES is marked by:

• Personalized attention.
• Focused, well-funded research groups.
• A diverse intellectual setting.
• Easy access to cutting-edge equipment.
• Attention to career development.
• Good chances for a job after you graduate.

Whether to attend graduate school, what to study, and where to go are important questions. You should make a careful decision and tailor your choice to your needs, goals, and interests. You really do have lots of options available to you, and they can seem overwhelming, but the good news is that you can probably find a program that's a good fit. As you look through this website you'll see that we've got some very interesting research going on in many areas of ecology, environmental science, and geology, and we offer both the Ph.D. degree as well as a rigorous, thesis-based M.S. If that sounds good, consider joining us for your graduate work!