Program Resources

Virtual information session

Program director Dr. Siobhan Whadcoat hosts a virtual information session for students interested in the Applied Geosciences Program. This session features details about the online degree and our new certificate and individual course-taking options, a discussion around relevant environmental issues, and how the degree prepares students for their next professional move.

If you have a problem viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

Student handbook

For guidelines on getting started in the Applied Geosciences Program, curriculum, policies, and procedures, please contact your program director or advisor. Note that our student handbook is currently being revised for the next academic year.

Applied Geosciences Program new student orientation

Each August and January, online Applied Geosciences Program faculty and staff join incoming students for a virtual orientation. This is an opportunity for students to get to know their peers, plan their curriculum, and learn about resources at Penn.

Academic resources

Online journal

The International Journal for Water Equity and Justice (IJWEJ) is an online, open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal managed by Penn faculty and students that focuses on the intersection of water equity. Submissions for publication and opportunities to be involved with the editorial board are open to interested students and practitioners.

Resources at Penn

At Penn, you’ll find remarkable institutions and resources dedicated to environmental research. These organizations offer research opportunities, virtual events and guest speakers, and exposure to the newest and best of environmental knowledge.

Research opportunities outside of Penn

Students in the online Applied Geosciences Program have the opportunity to work in collaboration with many research institutions and groups outside of Penn, including:

Career information

The Master of Science in Applied Geosciences program was founded at the University of Pennsylvania in 2005 as an on-campus professional master’s program dedicated to training geologists to work in the environmental, engineering geology, and hydrogeologic fields. In fall 2022, the program was moved online to reach professional geologists where they live and work so that they do not have to put their careers on hold while pursuing their degrees. The data below is based on the on-campus program as we do not yet have graduates from the online program. However, the curriculum, advising, and career advice has not changed as we moved online.

Alumni of our program typically work in the non-mining, non-petroleum sectors, including: natural hazard management, regulatory compliance, water resource management, groundwater investigation and remediation, floodplain management, and public policy.

Job titles related to this degree

Environmental consultant
Environmental scientist
Environmental engineer
Geoscientist
Hydrologist
Hydrogeologist
Senior project manager
Staff/Senior geologist

Earnings

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a geoscientist in 2021 was $83,680, and the field is projected to grow by “5 percent from 2021 to 2031.” At the same time, a November 2022 American Geologic Institute (AGI) report stated that the number of undergraduate geology graduates has declined. This means there is and will continue to be a higher demand for trained geologists in the workforce. Hydrologists similarly have a median annual salary of $84,030 and are expected to see 600 new job openings according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sample employers from our alumni database