Master of Science (Geophysics)

at Stanford University

Core Courses:
 

• Earthquakes and Volcanoes
• Directed Reading
• Planetary Surface Processes: Shaping the Landscape of the Solar System
• Introduction to Planetary Science
• Planetary Science Reading

Academic Eligibility:

• Students must complete a 4 years bachelor's degree from a recognized institution.
• Students who meet the above degree requirement with a strong technical background in engineering, physics, or a comparable science program are welcome to apply.
• The average cumulative high school GPA of students admitted to Stanford is 3.96 on a 4.0 scale.

Indian Student Eligibility:

Indian students are eligible to apply if they meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

• Completed a 4-year UG degree with first class in a relevant field from a recognized institution

Note: A three-year bachelor’s degree in any subject is not considered sufficient for graduate study at Stanford. A two-year master’s degree following the three-year bachelor’s degree from India is required.

Along with the minimum eligibility requirements, international students hailing from non-English speaking countries need to prove English proficiency through IELTS/TOEFL/any equivalent test to get admission to this program.

VISA

For most students, this will be an F-1 Student Visa, although there are additional visa classifications that cover credit-based study.

Process to Obtain an F-1 Student Visa:

The first step in the process of attending Stanford is to apply.  If offered admission, the next step is to complete an acceptance process. This process includes the submission of the following three documents:

• Declaration of Finance: An online form completed as part of the Stanford acceptance process.
• Proof of Funding Document: A letter or statement from the financial institution or from the family’s financial institution, verifying that there are funds sufficient to cover the program’s full cost as stated on the Declaration of Finance. This document must be shown in U.S. dollars. 
• Current Passport Photocopy: A copy of the identification page(s) of the passport.

Once all acceptance items have been received and students have been assigned a Stanford ID number, Stanford University will generate their I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status).

After students receive their I-20, the following items must be completed by the student in order to obtain an F-1 Student Visa:

• Pay the SEVIS fee to the U.S. Government and obtain a receipt.
• Arrange an F-1 Visa appointment at the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate after they have received an I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee.
• Present the following items at the visa Appointment:
  • Original I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status)
  • I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
  • Stanford University Admission Letter
  • Original Proof of Funding Document
  • Valid Passport
  • 2 Passport-Size Photos

The cost of studying at Stanford University varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay $72420 annually, to study in Stanford University

Geoscientists held about 28,000 jobs in the U.S in 2002 and many more individuals held environmental science and geoscience faculty positions in colleges and universities. Among geoscientists, 30 percent were employed in architectural, engineering, and related services, and 15 percent worked for oil and gas extraction companies. In 2002, the Federal Government employed about 3,000 geoscientists, including geologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers, mostly within the U.S. Department of the Interior for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and within the U.S. Department of Defense. Another 3,400 worked for State agencies, such as State geological surveys and State departments of conservation. Nearly 3 percent of geoscientists were self-employed, most as consultants to industry or government.