Curriculum

The geology and geophysics curriculum includes core courses and electives. Each student formulates a program of studies with the assistance of academic advisors drawn from both MIT and WHOI. The recommended course load is four per semester.

Students are expected to attend research seminars and to complete widespread independent reading of the literature.

Core Courses

There are 3 requirements:

1) Geological Oceanography: This course provides a high level survey of a broad range of active science topics in Geological Oceanography including solid-earth geophysics, geochemistry, sedimentology and stratigraphy, coastal processes, and climate.
2) Presenting Scientific Research: This seminar is designed to develop the skills that students will need to present their research to others; it includes critiques of oral presentations, preparation of abstracts, discussions of graphic materials, and creation of scientific posters. Students normally take the seminar in one or both of the first two years.
3) A data analysis class: A data analysis class suited to the student's research interests, at either MIT or WHOI.

Electives

Students typically choose additional courses from those offered at WHOI and at MIT by the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. Many students take classes in other departments as well because of research interests that lie at the interface of two disciplines. For more complete information on course offerings, see the MIT catalogue. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to cross-register at Harvard, Brown, or in the Boston University Marine Program.