About the course

Earth scientists can glean clues about the nature of Earth's ancient environments from a variety of clues: sedimentary textures and structures, chemical and isotopic compositions, microscopic to macroscopic fossils, and others. At Caltech we approach this problem from both ends of the time scale – working on modern analog organisms and environments to understand the signals they preserve, and on ancient sediments and rocks to try to decipher what the Earth was like thousands, millions, or billions of years ago.

　　A multidisciplinary study of the Neoproterozoic Athel Silicylite, using sedimentary fabrics, inorganic isotopic records, and organic biomarkers to propose a new model for this geologically unique unit (Grotzinger, Sessions, Eiler)

　　At Caltech we developed a novel method for measuring sulfur isotopes in nanogram quantities of sulfate in carbonate rocks, and used it to provide the first empirical constraints on sulfur cycling in the Archean oceans (Adkins, Fischer, Sessions)

　　Clumped isotope carbonate reconstructions

　　Using the hydrogen isotope ratios of leaf-wax biomarkers, we reconstructed the hydroclimate of western Sumatra over the past 15,000 years and showed it varied much less than did the western equatorial Pacific. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 6 Semester(s)Fees: US$175,437

Intake	Location
Fall (September), 2024	Pasadena
Fall (September), 2025	Pasadena

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for California Institute of Technology

Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree or the equivalent before beginning graduate study. Transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a CV, and the applicant's statement of purpose are required components of the application and are carefully and equally weighed during the evaluation process. GRE scores (subject and general) may be required, strongly recommended, or optional based upon the specific option requirements. Applicants who are required to submit test scores should include self-reported scores on the application, if available, and request official score reports from ETS. The official scores will be used to verify the self-reported scores.

　　Caltech does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, most successful applicants have a US GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and/or are in the top 5 to 10% of their class. Applicants whose first or native language is not English are asked to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the application procedure. Caltech recognizes scores from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), Pearson's Test of English Academic (PTE)

　　

English language requirements

　　6.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 60.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomes

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　7th / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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