Computational Earth Science MS

This MS degree in Computational Earth Science program is aimed at both Earth science graduate students who want to develop expertise in computational research, and graduate students with a background in Computer science who would like to apply those skills to the Earth sciences. The demand for professional labor force skilled in Earth sciences, alongside scientific computation has grown tremendously over the last decade, and all indications are that such growth will further accelerate in the near future. Our program in Computational Earth Science aims to provide students with the skills required to enter the 21st century professional workforce, thus making them highly desirable prospect for employment in industry, government and national laboratories, or to continue on to a doctoral program in the Earth sciences or computational fields. Both a thesis and a project track are offered.

Required Core (9-10 credits)

ERT 501LEC - Elements of Geol. Res. Credits: 3
ERT 573LEC - Intro Computational Earth Sci Credits: 3
ERT 527LEC - Stats&Modeling Geol Data Credits: 4
or
ERT 529LEC - Analysis of Geol Data 1 Credits: 3

Foundational Courses in Computational Earth Sciences (6 credits)

Select 2 courses not previously taken from:

ERT 514LEC - Hydrogeology Credits: 3
ERT 519LEC - Environmental Geophysics Credits: 3
ERT 527LEC - Stats&Modeling Geol Data Credits: 4
ERT 529LEC - Analysis of Geol Data 1 Credits: 3
ERT 530LEC - Groundwater Modeling Credits: 3
ERT 547LEC - Glaciology Credits: 3
ERT 550LEC - Geodynamics Credits: 3
ERT 565LEC - Environmtl Remote Sensing Credits: 3
ERT 577LEC - Adv Physical Volcanology Credits: 3
Any graduate elective that fits the theme, with prior approval from the advisor and Director of Graduate Studies.

Earth Science Enrichment Courses (3-6 credits)

Select courses not previously taken from:

ERT 548SEM - Quaternary Geology Sem Credits: 1-3
or
ERT 595SEM - Environmental Geosciences Sem Credits: 1
or
ERT 597SEM - Geohaz Volc & Geodynamics Sem Credits: 1-4 Note: 3 SEM credit maximum
ERT 507LEC - Geological Field Training Credits: 2
ERT 528LEC - Geologic Hazards & Risk Credits: 3
ERT 531LEC - Volcanology Credits: 3
ERT 533LEC - Volcanic Rocks Credits: 3
ERT 538LEC - Advanced Stratigraphy Credits: 1-3
ERT 545LEC - Glacial Geology Credits: 3
ERT 553LEC - Quat Dating/Paleoclimate Credits: 3
ERT 554LEC - Topics: Planetary Geosciences Credits: 3
ERT 562LEC - Aqueous Geochemistry Credits: 3
ERT 569LEC - Biogeochem & Ecosystem Ecology Credits: 3
ERT 570LEC - Fracture &Flow Earth Materials Credits: 3
ERT 579LEC - Carbon Reduction Challenge Credits: 3

Computational Science Enrichment Courses (3-6 credits)

Select courses not previously taken from:

CDA 610LEC - High Performance Computing II Credits: 3
or
MAE 610LEC - High Perform Computing 2 Credits: 3
or
PHY 516LEC - High Perform Computing 2 Credits: 3
ERT 609LEC - High Perform Computing 1 Credits: 3
CIE 546LEC - Env Fluid Mechanics Credits: 3
CSE 555LEC - Intro Pattern Recognition Credits: 3
CSE 574LEC - Intro Machine Learning Credits: 3
CSE 587LEC - Data Intensive Computing Credits: 3
CSE 674LEC - Advanced Machine Learning Credits: 3
CSE 676LEC - Deep Learning Credits: 3
EAS 501LEC - Introduction to Numerical Mathematics for Computing and Data Science Credits: 3
EAS 508LEC - Statistical Learning and Data Mining I Credits: 3
GEO 505LLB - Univariate Stat in Geog Credits: 4
GEO 506LLB - Geographical Informat Sys Credits: 4
GEO 509LEC - Multivariate Stat in Geog Credits: 3
GEO 511LEC - Spatial Data Science Credits: 3
GEO 577LEC - Environmental Statistics Credits: 3
GEO 597LEC - Geostatistics Credits: 3
GEO 605LEC - Spatial Statistics Credits: 3
MTH 537LEC - Intro Numeric Analysis 1 Credits: 3
MTH 538LEC - Intro Numeric Analysis 2 Credits: 3
MTH 548LEC - Data-oriented Computing Credits: 3
STA 511LEC - Advanced Statistical Computing Credits: 3
STA 521LEC - Intro Theoretical Stat 1 Credits: 3
STA 522LEC - Intro Theoretical Stat 2 Credits: 3
Any graduate elective that fits the theme, with prior approval from the advisor and Director of Graduate Studies.

Electives & Culminating Experience (3-6 credits)

Number of elective credits may vary depending on choice made to complete the culminating experience. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 30 minimum total credit hours.

Project Option (1-3 credits)

Students who complete the project option for their culminating experience will take 3 credits of:

ERT 633TUT - Graduate Research Credits: 1-12

Thesis Option (6 credits)

Students who choose the thesis option for thier culminating experience will complete 6 credits of:

ERT 633TUT - Graduate Research Credits: 1-12
ERT 700TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1-12

Total Credit Hours: 30

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Understand and be able to formulate a mathematical, physical or statistical model describing the Earth Science problem of interest

2) Understand, formulate and be able to apply fundamental computational techniques to solve a variety of problems arising in Earth science applications

3) Gain a foundational understanding of numerical experimentation, analysis, and simulation

4) Demonstrate the ability to quantitatively assess geoscientific data and to correctly make estimate of processes

5) Acquire problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, research skills, and scientific communication skills

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).