Earth and Environmental Science is the interdisciplinary study of how the Earth formed and continues to evolve — using chemistry, biology, and physics to understand the workings of Earth and planetary systems, from climate and water to earthquakes, volcanoes, and the deep history of life on the planet. It's a field grounded in understanding how natural processes shape the world, and increasingly, how human activity is reshaping it in turn.

We consider the following factors when reviewing applications:

-Academic performance (GPAs from previous degree programs). Unofficial transcripts may be submitted initially, but official transcripts are required for admitted students.

-Three letters of recommendation, ideally including at least one from a former professor.

-Personal Statement addressing the following three prompts (each ~350 words): What are your research goals, and which faculty member would you like to work with if admitted?

     -Describe a significant project you initiated and completed (e.g., class project, research, internship, or job). What did you learn, and what skills did you gain?

     -Describe a major academic challenge you faced and how you overcame it. What did you learn and what skills did you gain?

-Faculty mentorship: Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential research advisors prior to applying to explore available opportunities. Current research projects are listed [here].

-TOEFL score (if applicable), with a minimum score of 90.TOEFL Institution Code: 6173

-GRE scores are not required and are not considered in our admissions process.

For more information about our programs, please visit sse.tulane.edu/eens or contact the Graduate Committee Chair, Dr. Torbjörn Törnqvist. 

Computer Laboratory and Software

The department’s computer lab is used for computer-based courses, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and it is used by graduate students for research purposes. It is an important resource for teaching GIS, remote sensing, and subsurface interpretation, particularly 3D structural geology and 3D stratigraphy, and makes important software programs available to students, including (but not limited to) MathWorks MATLAB, Generic Mapping Tools, Harris Geospatial Solutions ENVI, and IHS Kingdom Suite. The lab features 15 quad-core PC workstations, with dual monitors. We have a large-format color printer and general-purpose printers.  The room is equipped with a computer projection system, and a GeoWall is available for 3D visualization.

Tulane

-Tulane Instrumentation for Nanoscience & Innovation (TINI)
-Micropalaeontology Sample Collection
-Cypress Supercomputer

National

-Earth and Environmental Sciences is an active member of CSDMS, EarthScope, and Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics and students have opportunities to participate in training sessions, workshops, and conferences. 

Regional

-LUMCON

Kyle M Straub

The Sediment Dynamics and Stratigraphy (TSDS) Lab at Tulane University is recruiting a PhD student for a funded project investigating the mechanics of chute cutoff development in meandering rivers. The project seeks to understand how river channel geometry, flood hydrology, and sediment transport interact to control when and where rivers abandon meander bends and establish new flow paths. Research will combine numerical modeling, satellite imagery and geospatial analysis, and field investigations to develop predictive models of river evolution and its influence on sedimentary deposits. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Kyle Straub (kmstraub@tulane.edu) for further details.

Nicole M Gasparini

The GIGHLE (Gasparini's inclusive geomorphology, hydrology, and landscape evolution) group is recruiting two PhD students for fall 2027. All research projects contain some combination of computer modeling, land surface analysis, and field observations and data collection. Current research in the GIGHLE group focuses on: sediment routing from hillslopes through river channels; links among weathering, fluvial and hillslope processes, and sediment grain size; the impacts of spatial variability in rock properties on landscape evolution and drainage rearrangement; and testing the assumptions that are used to convert geochemical data into soil production and erosion rates. If any of these topics interest you, please reach out to Dr. Nicole Gasparini, ngaspari@tulane.edu.

Thomas M Decarlo

The Reef Lab is recruiting PhD and/or Master’s students for Fall 2027. Potential research topics include reconstructing the past century of coral growth from skeletal cores, studying biophysical interactions on restored oyster reefs, and testing coastal restoration effectiveness in Louisiana. Please contact Dr. Thomas DeCarlo (tdecarlo@tulane.edu) for further details, or visit www.reeflab.science.

Daniel A Friess

The Mangrove Lab welcomes PhD applications on the topic of tropical coastal ecosystems, their benefits, functions, threats, and conservation. Potential projects include field measurements of wetland greenhouse gas fluxes, spatial prioritization of mangrove restoration under sea-level rise, landscape geomorphic controls on blue carbon cycling, or regional-global scale mangrove and blue carbon dynamics. We particularly prioritise projects that have a translational aspect or are conducted in collaboration with non-academic partners. Projects can be based in the US or overseas. For more information, please contact Daniel Friess at dfriess@tulane.edu or visit https://www.themangrovelab.com/research.

Tianze Liu and Cynthia Ebinger

Profs. Tianze Liu and Cynthia Ebinger are seeking two PhD students to use geophysical, geomechanical, and AI tools to study one or a combination of 1) naturally occurring hydrogen produced by geological processes, 2) detection and analysis of earthquake patterns on rift volcanoes to mitigate risk, and 3) evolution of Earth's lithosphere and its variation with geodynamic settings. Contact Profs. Tianze Liu (tianzeliu@tulane.edu) and Cindy Ebinger (cebinger@tulane.edu) for information on potential PhD opportunities!

• Department Graduate Handbook (see this for EES MS and PhD program requirements, milestones and policies)
• Qualifying Exam Preparation Tips
• Graduate Student Goals
• Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Form 
• Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Outcome Form  
• Dissertation Prospectus Approval Form
• Masters Thesis Committee Approval Form
• Graduate Housing
• Emergency loans through Tulane
• Independent Study/Research Form

SSE Graduate Forms, Policies and Procedures

Conference Travel Grants

-Tulane Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
-American Geophysical Union
-Geological Society of America
-SEPM - Society for Sedimentary Geology

Research Grants

-American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ Grants in Aid Program
-Geological Society of America
     --Graduate Student Research Grants
     --GSA Division Grants
     --Farouk El-Baz Student Research Award
-Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies’ Student Grant Program
-Mineralogical Society of America’s Grant for Student Research in Mineralogy & Petrology
-SEPM - Society for Sedimentary Geology’s Student Assistance Grants
-Sigma Xi’s Grants in Aid of Research Program

Fellowships

-NASA’s Earth and Space Science Fellowship Program
-National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program
-The National Academies – Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships