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 improved understanding of the processes that modulate modern and ancient environments.  The past 15 years have been especially exciting, as the interconnectedness among all Earth systems — air, water, solid Earth, and the biosphere — has come into sharper focus. Cognizant of these changes (and leading some of them), Rensselaer's Earth and Environmental Sciences faculty provide instruction in modern Earth Sciences that is both far-reaching and relevant, addressing key topics ranging from environmental contaminants in local waterways, Earth's long-term climate history, to the conditions on ancient Earth that gave rise to life.

 

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.

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  • Program Spotlight

    M.S. in Geology

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

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  • Program Spotlight

    B.S. in Environmental Science

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

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  • Program Spotlight

    B.S. in Geology

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

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  • Program Spotlight

    B.S. in Hydrogeology

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

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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

Government Guidelines Across North America, Europe Fail To Protect Lakes From Salt Pollution

TROY, N.Y. — Current water quality guidelines aren’t protecting freshwater ecosystems from increasing salt pollution due to road de-icing salts, agriculture fertilizers, and mining operations, according to an international study that included researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Organic Materials in Martian Meteorite Formed by Interactions Between Water and Rock

Organic molecules found in a meteorite that hurtled to Earth from Mars were synthesized during interactions between water and rocks that occurred on the Red Planet about 4 billion years ago, according to an analysis to be published this week in Science.

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?

Contact Information

Earth and Environmental Sciences

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

Detailed Contact Information