ESS-MS - Earth System Science (MS)
Download as PDF
Program Overview
The master's degree in Earth System Science at Stanford University prepares the next generation of scientists to tackle the world's most pressing environmental challenges through rigorous interdisciplinary training and cutting-edge research.
Earth System Science is the study of the world's air, water, land, and life as an integrated system. Our program unites basic and purpose-driven research to understand how the Earth functions, the many ways it is changing, and what the consequences of these changes will be for people and other species. We train students to understand, predict, and respond to human-caused and natural environmental change at local to global scales.
Master's degree students engage with fundamental Earth system science, from ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycles to climate dynamics, while also addressing critical sustainability challenges related to food, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental justice. Our students study the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the plants and animals with which we share the planet, all while developing as independent researchers capable of making significant scientific contributions.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Students are required to take three 2-unit courses during the first year
- 2156421
- 2163731
- 2163641
Students must take one class from each of the following three areas within the first or second year.
Students must take one course to fulfill the Area A requirement. Alternative courses may be approved by petition.
- 2279402
- 1057501
- 2198851
- 2090362
- 1048663
- 2260233
- 2265492
- 2102142
- 1297232
- 2207131
- 1254161
- 1254201
- 2264341
- 1254241
- 1254251
- 2231199
Students must take one course to fulfill the Area B requirement. Alternative courses may be approved by petition.
- 2186921
- 2194362
- 2001622
- 2049321
- 1295165
- 2186121
- 2276631
- 2217422
Students must take one course to fulfill the Area C requirement. Alternative courses may be approved via petition.
- 2195532
- 1132845
- 1295371
- 2194512
- 2216111
- 2194812
- 2009331
- 2104482
- 2104591
- 2206741
- 2043391
- 2254471
The student submits a proposal for a research plan, to be approved by the DGS, by the end of winter quarter of their first year.
The proposal should describe, in about a page, what research activities you will compete for your research thesis requirement. This description should include a statement of what specific questions or project you will investigate, and a short description of milestones along the way and what quarters you will complete specific sub-tasks of the project (i.e. major fieldwork or experiments, literature review, analysis). We understand that this may change somewhat because research is not fully predictable, but you should have a clear initial plan to make sure you can stay on track even when changes are needed.
In their second year, each student must complete a thesis describing their research. Thesis research should begin during the first year of study at Stanford and should be completed before the end of the second year of residence. Early during the thesis research period, and after consultation with the student, the thesis advisor appoints a second reader for the thesis (with preference for this to be a department faculty member). The thesis advisor is the first reader. The two readers jointly determine whether the thesis is acceptable for the MS degree in the department.