Learning Outcomes

The MS is conferred upon candidates who have demonstrated substantial scholarship, high attainment in a particular field of knowledge, and the ability to conduct independent research. To this end, the program’s objectives are to enable students to develop the skills needed to conduct original investigations in a particular discipline or set of disciplines in the Earth and Planetary Sciences, to interpret the results, and to present the data and conclusions in a publishable manner.

Inclusivity and Diversity

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences strives to ensure that graduate students feel safe, secure, and supported during their graduate experience. It does not tolerate harassment targeting race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, physical appearance, age, and/or religion. Any experience of discrimination, harassment, or inequity in the department will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate consequences by Stanford University’s Harassment and Discrimination policy. opens in a new tab Students can seek support from the Director of Access/Belonging, Erik Sperling, or the Assistant Director of Student Services, Anjani Varma.

Mental Health

Members of the Earth and Planetary Sciences department recognize that mental health challenges are real and can arise from both within and beyond the academic setting. We support and encourage each other to seek mental health and well-being resources. If any event during the graduate experience places a student under undue stress that inhibits their performance to their potential, the department encourages the student to seek support from the Director of Graduate Studies, Jane Willenbring, Assistant Director of Student Services Anjani Varma, or university services such as Counseling and Psychological Services opens in a new tab (CAPS) or Graduate Life Office opens in a new tab (GLO).

Academic Accommodations

The Office of Accessible Education opens in a new tab(OAE) is the campus office designated to work with Stanford students with disabilities. To comply with Stanford’s academic accommodations process, faculty should not attempt to arrange accommodations with the student. Students with questions about accommodations should contact OAE to initiate a disability-related request for accommodations. When a student presents an OAE Accommodation Letter, that letter should be followed, or the faculty member should work with the student and OAE to implement and/or modify the recommended accommodations. Students are expected to initiate accommodation requests promptly and provide timely notification of changes to approved accommodations. Faculty are responsible for maintaining student confidentiality and treating all disability-related information as confidential.