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New ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï geosciences doctoral program approved, begins in August

February 20, 2013
ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Marketing and Communications

ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï is ready to begin enrolling geosciences doctoral students in August after the Idaho State Board of Education approved an ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in geosciences at its last meeting.

"Geosciences is at the nexus of many issues facing our nation and society," said Howard Grimes, ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï vice president for research and economic development. "These scientists are amassing data and seeking solutions that will inform our use of resources, the management of our environment, the wellbeing of populations, and sustainable energy opportunities. Offering this program further expands ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï's impact on our region."

The ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï geosciences department has increased its research and graduate education profile during the past two decades, and the doctoral program is a logical and necessary step to continue that evolution, he added.

The geosciences doctoral students will mentor undergraduate and master's students in classroom and research opportunities. The geosciences doctoral program will also be closely linked with the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Applied Science Degree already offered at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï.

 The ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Department of Geosciences will build on strong collaborations with University of Idaho and Boise State University for doctoral student opportunities. ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï facilitated discussions with BSU and UI in an effort to promote collaboration among the universities who currently offer a Ph.D. in Geosciences. A Memorandum of Agreement based on those discussions has been approved.

Students for the new ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Ph.D. program will be recruited from the existing ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Master of Science geosciences program, from the local workforce, and across the country and internationally, thus attracting a more highly qualified workforce to fill natural resource industry jobs in Idaho.

The doctoral program will leverage existing departmental strengths in Idaho's natural resources, water supply, and environmental needs, expanding ongoing projects such as water supply and water quality, semi-arid soil and vegetation recovery after wildfires, assessment of active geologic faults, landscape change and associated topographic analyses, fluvial processes, geothermal and volcanology research, remote sensing, including unmanned aircraft systems, and geospatial modeling and software development.

The doctoral program will also enhance the department's proven ability to attract research funding from federal agencies and private industry.

For more information, contact Dr. Glenn Thackray, chair of Geosciences,,208-282-3235 or geology@isu.edu.

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