About the Program:
The Biogeochemistry Dual-Title Graduate Program continues the tradition of the Biogeochemical Research Initiative for Education (BRIE), which was funded from 1999-2006 by the National Science Foundation’s Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) grant. The establishment of the Biogeochemistry Dual-Title Ph.D. was a transformational outcome of Penn State’s commitment to permanent institutional change and interdisciplinary graduate training.
The Program:
For PhD students
The Biogeochemistry Dual-Title Degree Program is administered by the Department of Geosciences and Department of Ecosystem Science and Management for the participating graduate programs. An executive committee with representatives from participating graduate departments maintains program definition, identifies courses appropriate to the program, and recommends policy and procedures for the program’s operation to the dean of the Graduate School and to the deans of the participating colleges. The dual-title degree program is offered through participating programs in the: College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (Geosciences, Mineral Engineering); College of Agricultural Sciences (Soil Science, Plant Pathology); College of Engineering (Environmental Engineering); Eberly College of Science (Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology); Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs (Ecology).
The program enables students to learn about perspectives, techniques, and methodological approaches in the field of biogeochemistry, while maintaining a close association with major program areas of study.
To pursue a Dual-title Ph.D. in Biogeochemistry at Penn State, a student must first be admitted to one of the eight major programs offering the Dual Title. Students may only apply to the dual-title program once they have been accepted into a major program under the supervision of a major adviser wishing to support dissertation research related to biogeochemistry. Enrollment in the dual-title degree program should be completed before the qualifying examination in the major program, which should take place no later than the end of the student’s fourth semester.
Students should consult with their major adviser about applying to the dual-title program. To apply, please submit to the BGC program head a 1-2 page a statement of interest in pursuing the BGC dual-title. This statement should describe your academic background, interests, and how your dissertation research can help advance the field of biogeochemistry. You and your adviser should sign the statement, and if a BGC co-adviser has been identified, they can sign the statement as well. However, it is not necessary to have a co-adviser identified at the time of application.
Biogeochemistry students complete all requirements for their major graduate program as well as requirements for the BGC Dual Title Ph.D. These include: 1) having a BGC co-adviser; passing a qualifying exam that includes a BGC component; taking courses counting for 15 credits from the approved list of courses in the Biogeochemistry Curriculum table; passing a comprehensive exam that includes a BGC component; completing a dissertation that addresses one or more topics within the field of biogeochemistry.
For Masters students
Students can obtain a minor in biogeochemistry by completing 6 credit hours of biogeochemistry courses listed in the Biogeochemistry Curriculum Table. Students will need to notify their advisor that they wish to get the minor and fill out paperwork.
If you know what academic home you will have and are interested in the program but unsure about the course work, time commitment, please contact the BGC program head, Mary Ann Bruns.