Surprising Focus of Study Choice: Explanation for Pursuing Geosciences
Princeton University Geosciences: A Vibrant Community for Undergraduate Research
Princeton University's Geosciences (GEO) department is a hub of scientific discovery and community engagement for undergraduate students. The department offers a rich environment that fosters collaboration, encourages individualized learning, and provides ample opportunities for undergraduate research.
One of the key factors that attract students to the GEO department is the strong sense of community. The department values undergraduate participation and cultivates a close-knit community of engaged learners. This is evident in weekly department-wide events such as lunchtime lectures, snack breaks, and annual department picnics, as well as through student-led organisations like the Princeton University Geosciences Society (PUGS), which organises regular social events and field trips.
The department's emphasis on undergraduate scientific research is another significant draw. Students are encouraged to delve deep into various scientific questions, with a wide range of research opportunities available in areas such as atmospheric sciences, ocean chemistry, environmental data analysis, and more. This diversity of research experiences allows students to explore different scientific questions and gain hands-on experience in multiple subfields, enhancing learning and engagement.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in the GEO department. Faculty members are actively involved with undergraduates, providing guidance, research supervision, and career advice. This mentorship helps students identify their interests and navigate complex research opportunities and professional pathways successfully. In fact, many professors expect high-caliber theses that can ultimately be submitted for publication. Some professors even invite their advisees to lab meetings, and dedicated students often work on one independent project with the same adviser for both their Junior and Senior years.
The GEO department offers a flexible concentration that encourages students to pursue concurrent interests in other sciences. With a high faculty to student ratio, undergrads in GEO are treated similarly to graduate students, ensuring a personalised and rigorous academic experience. The department has three main tracks: Environmental Biogeochemistry, Geophysics and Geology, and Ocean Atmosphere and Climate.
For students considering a concentration in Geosciences, taking non-introductory department courses, attending open houses, and talking to other undergraduates in the department can provide valuable insights into the program. Undergraduates in the GEO department are given the freedom to choose their advisers, ensuring a personalised academic journey.
The GEO department's commitment to undergraduate research, its supportive community, and the diverse range of coursework and research experiences it offers make it an attractive choice for students seeking a challenging and rewarding academic experience.
Undergraduate students at Princeton University's Geosciences (GEO) department have the chance to work on a junior paper, collaboratively embarking on a personal-growth journey, as they delve into their chosen scientific questions under the mentorship of faculty members. The education-and-self-development journey in the GEO department doesn't just involve books and lectures; it extends to hands-on learning through undergraduate research in areas like atmospheric sciences and environmental data analysis.
