Application deadline for Fall 2010 is February 1, 2010. No exceptions are permitted except occasionally for PhD applicants. Please note that this is a departmental deadline; the application for PSU in general is not the same.
Admission
requirements include a science-based baccalaureate degree or equivalent
training and evidence of course work in biology, chemistry, geology,
physics and mathematics (including calculus). All applicants must pre-identify a major advisor (see info regarding this below).
An application includes the following components which are forwarded directly to the ESM Office:
Letter of application and a statement of educational and career goals
Additionally, formal acceptance into the University's graduate program requires students to submit to the Graduate Admissions Office:
A PSU graduate application and
Official transcripts of all college and university course work
ESM informs the Admissions Office when students are accepted.
Students
with deficiencies in particular areas can be admitted as
post-baccalaureate students or with departmental conditions which must
be satisfied within the first one or two quarters after admission.
Finding a Major Professor
Selecting a major professor to mentor you through your studies at PSU is one of the most vital steps in the graduate school process. Your major professor will help you plan your courses, guide you with your research, and serve as one of your committee members. Please note that you cannot be admitted without having found a major professor, so we recommend you begin the search as soon as possible.
You can find a list of ESM faculty and their interest areas under the People tab on our website. After reviewing the list and identifying who has interest areas similar to your own, you should contact them via email. Let them know what you are interested in studying and how your interests and their research are related. It is also good to ask if they know other professors working in your area of interest that you might contact.
When you find professors that you would like to work with, you will probably discuss funding sources. The ESM Graduate Program has limited funding and very few Teaching Assistantships (TA) or Graduate Assistantships (GA) available. Most students have funding through their major professor or through private sources. The Financial Aid office is a good source of information for funding your graduate studies.
