Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (PHD)

PhD

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
,

On Campus 90 cr

Researchers in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences examine a wide variety of issues relevant to Earth systems and Earth system history.

Description

The primary emphasis is on Earth's atmospheric and hydrological systems and the interaction of these systems with the sedimentary cycle.

Recent graduates have performed research in physical and chemical hydrogeology, hydrogeologic modeling, surficial processes, geomorphology, sedimentology, vertebrate paleontology, micropaleontology, geochemistry, petrology, structure and tectonics, climate change, land/surface atmosphere interactions, physical climatology and meteorology, severe storms, snow and ice studies, surface energy balance modeling, and synoptic meteorology.

Departmental researchers have obtained large grants supporting multidisciplinary research efforts in areas as disparate as Antarctica and the Nebraska Sand Hills. They encourage collaborative work with the University of Nebraska State Museum, the Center for Advanced Land Management and Information Technologies, the School of Natural Resources, and other related University of Nebraska-Lincoln departments.

Recent graduates are employed as faculty by research universities and liberal arts colleges, and as weather forecasters, petroleum geologists, consulting geologists and scientific staff by various governmental agencies.

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Specializations

  • Environmental Studies
  • Geology
  • Great Plains Studies
  • Geoscience Education
  • Hydrogeology
  • Meteorology/Climatology

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs

  • Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
  • Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.

    If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

    After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.

  • If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.

    When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.

  • If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
  • Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional requirements specific to this program

  • Resume/CV (optional)
  • Personal Statement:  Your statement should include
    1. How you became interested in earth and atmospheric sciences
    2. Your long-term goals
    3. How graduate study in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Nebraska will help you achieve your goals
    4. Any additional information you think will help in evaluating your application.
  • Faculty and Research Interests
  • Three recommendation letters

Admission Application Deadlines

For funding consideration, apply by January 15 for fall.

International students are encouraged to apply early: by December 15 for fall, by September 1 for spring, or by March 15 for summer.

Program Faculty

Liang Chen

Land-Atmosphere Interactions, Earth System Modeling, Land Use/Land Cover Change, Climate Change Impacts, Extreme Events, Renewable Energy Assessment

Ross Dixon

Atmospheric modeling, Regional climate variability and change, Tropical precipitation , Large-scale dynamics

Lynne Elkins

Igneous petrogenesis , Radiogenic isotope geochemistry , Uranium-series isotopes , Mid-ocean ridge processes , Divergent boundaries , Hotspot-ridge interactions

Irina Filina

Geophysical data analysis , Integration of geophysical methods , Tectonic history , Regional geophysical studies

Erin Haacker

Hydrogeology , Environmental modeling , Data science

Dawn Kopacz

Discipline-based education research , Abrupt climate change , Climate model analysis , Climate dynamics and predictability

Clinton Rowe (bio)

Boundary Layer Dynamics, Mesoscale Processes, Paleoclimatology, Land-Atmosphere Interactions

Mindi Searls

Planetary geology and geophysics, Geoscience education research

Ross Secord (bio)

Vertebrate Paleontology, Paleoclimatology, Stable isotope geochemistry, Biostratigraphy

Matthew Van Den Broeke (bio)

Severe Weather, Radar Meteorology, Radar Aeroecology, Microphysics & Precipitation Processes, Mesoscale Processes, Synoptic Meteorology

Karrie Weber

Environmental science , Environmental microbiology , Biogeochemistry , Aqueous geochemistry , Geobiology, Hydrogeology

UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.