Earth and Environmental Sciences at Rensselaer

In recent decades, the Earth Sciences have undergone major changes, stimulated in part by the reinterpretation of Earth history and processes occurring within both modern and ancient environments.  The past 15 years have been exciting, as new understanding of the interconnectedness among air, water, and solid Earth has come into sharper focus. We address key topics ranging from the biogeochemistry of local waterways to the evolution of our planet.

 

Announcement: The Earth and Environmental Sciences Department is seeking graduate student applications. We have a rich geology, environmental science, and astrobiology program, as well as data science and geoinformatics. Applications submitted after the RPI deadline will still be considered - Follow this link to apply:  https://admissions.rpi.edu/graduate/masters-and-phd-applicants

  • Program Spotlight

    Ph.D. in Geology

    Conduct independent geoscience research with accomplished faculty to unveil exciting new findings in Earth Science.

    Learn more

  • Program Spotlight

    M.S. in Geology

    Learn analytical problem-solving skills using cutting-edge research approaches and technologies.

    Learn more

  • Program Spotlight

    B.S. in Environmental Science

    Use an interdisciplinary approach to address environmental challenges in a changing world.

    Learn more

  • Program Spotlight

    B.S. in Geology

    Learn about the interconnectedness and changing of Earth systems through time using state-of-the-art techniques.

    Learn more

  • Program Spotlight

    B.S. in Hydrogeology

    Understand the natural and human-designed interplay between water, soil, and rocks at the Earth’s surface.

    Learn more

Announcements

Seeking Graduate Student Applications

The Earth and Environmental Sciences Department is seeking graduate student applications. We have a rich geology, environmental science, and astrobiology program, as well as data science and geoinformatics. Applications submitted after the RPI deadline will still be considered - Follow this link to apply:  https://admissions.rpi.edu/graduate/masters-and-phd-applicants

News

West Coast Wildfires Create Rare Opportunity To Track Black Carbon

The 2020 wildfires on the West Coast stymied planned research at the University of California Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, but also created a rare chance to catch the first link in the chain that connects fire-derived “black carbon” from a charred hillside with the deep ocean.

Rensselaer Adopts Test-Optional Admissions Policy For the Coming Year

Any student who applies to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an undergraduate in the fall of 2021 or the spring of 2022 will be able to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Investigation of Oceanic “Black Carbon” Uncovers Mystery in Global Carbon Cycle

An unexpected finding published today in Nature Communications challenges a long-held assumption about the origins of oceanic "black carbon," and introduces a tantalizing new mystery: If oceanic black carbon is significantly different from the black carbon found in rivers, where did it come from?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Class of 2019 Encouraged To Change the World

During the 213th Commencement Ceremony at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the nation’s oldest technological university, the Honorable John P. Holdren urged the Class of 2019 to become emissaries “on the relevance of science and technology to the biggest issues affecting human well‐being.”

New NASA Research Consortium To Tackle Life’s Origins

Rensselaer is part of NASA’s new Prebiotic Chemistry and Early Earth Environments (PCE3) Consortium,one of five cross-divisional research coordination networks with the NASA Astrobiology Program. The PCE3 aims to identify planetary conditions that might give rise to life’s chemistry. 

Contact Information

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Jonsson-Rowland Science Center, 1W19
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180

Detailed Contact Information