The information and program qualifications related to the Earth System Sciences Doctor of Philosophy Program, under the Department of Climate and Marine Sciences of the Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, are summarized below.
Information About The Program
Earth System Science Program is a PhD program with thesis which offers students a comprehensive education and gain in the research skills in a holistic approach in interdisciplinary research fields that include atmospheric, marine, geologic, hydrologic, environmental sciences and human impacts.
Earth System Science Program is for all graduate students who are interested in natural and environmental sciences. Students with bachelor’s degree in all sciences can apply to the program, while students with background in natural sciences and enginering are generally preferred. In some special cases, students with social sciences backgorund can also be admitted.
Main research fields in Earth System Science Program consist of; Atmospheric Science, Climate Change, Atmospheric modelling, Air quality, Regional Climate modelling, Hydrometeorological Observations, Geomorphology/Ecohydrology/Hydrology, Physical and Chemical Oceanography, Oceanographic Modelling, Biogeochemistry, Polar Sciences, Palynology/Paleoclimate/Marine Geology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Speleology , Animal Systematics and Ecology and Anthropology.
In the Earth System Science PhD program, there are no compulsory courses other than Scientific Research, Ethics and Seminar. However, the compulsory courses in the Masters degree are highly recommended for the students who had their Master’s Degree in other programs. There are six compulsory courses in the Earth System Science Master’s Program. Five of these compulsory courses are common (Data Analyses for Climate Scientists, Earth System, Physical Hydrology, Software Tools for Environmental Science and Scientific Research, Ethics and Seminar). As the sixth compulsory course, students must choose between the Fundamentals of Ecology or Physics and Chemistry of the Climate System courses depending on their research interest.
Students applying to the Doctoral Program are expected to have met with an academic member in Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences in line with their research interests and have been accepted by the supervisor.
History
Earth System Science Program was established under the ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, which was established in 1997. The aim of ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences is to carry out high-quality research and post-graduate education in earth sciences in a broad sense. There are three departments within the Institute: Solid Earth Sciences, Climate and Marine Sciences, Ecology and Evolution. In 2021, with the establishment of the ITU Graduate School, the Earth System Science Program was affiliated to ITU Graduate School.
The general aim of the graduate programs of the Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences is to train students from various undergraduate programs as researchers who can produce or apply current knowledge on the processes and history of the Earth System.
Misson
Earth and life sciences, which are expected to provide the necessary scientific support for a 'sustainable' life on our planet in the 21st century, need a new perspective and staff and research organization with the necessary culture for this perspective. In this new order, interdisciplinary borders should be removed (or at least developed), and the developing technologies in research, education and communication should be utilized to the maximum.
The mission of the Earth System Science Program is to conduct research and train competent scientists who can look at the Earth's solid, liquid and gaseous parts and life processes as a whole, to understand its systems and the mechanisms in the functioning of these systems. In addition to this basic task, it provides scientific support to the understanding of 'environmental problems' and the development of solutions at global, regional and local scales, by collaborating with public institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Vision
To conduct high-level and multidisciplinary research to understand the characteristics of the Earth's solid, liquid and gaseous layers and life processes, and the mechanisms in their formation and functioning.
It is to train young researchers who can look at the Earth as a whole, who have received the highest level of education in their field of expertise, but who understand the language of other disciplines, who can easily use quantitative methods and appropriate technologies in their research, in a contemporary research order.
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Registration Requirements
Active Student Count
Program Profile
The sustainable understanding and management of the Earth system require a holistic evaluation of the interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and human activities. Contemporary challenges such as climate change, water resource management, ecosystem changes, natural hazards, and environmental degradation involve complex processes that cannot be adequately understood through the perspective of a single discipline alone. Therefore, Earth System Science has emerged as an interdisciplinary field that integrates different geoscience disciplines within a common scientific framework.
The Earth System Science Program aims to educate researchers who can approach the Earth as an integrated system and evaluate the relationships among physical, chemical, biological, and human-induced processes across different spatial and temporal scales. The program provides an interdisciplinary education and research environment encompassing climate science, hydrology, ecology, paleoclimatology, geomorphology, biogeography, environmental change, natural hazards, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and numerical modeling.
The primary objective of the program is to train scientists who are capable of integrating observational data, field investigations, laboratory analyses, and numerical modeling approaches; quantitatively analyzing complex environmental processes; effectively utilizing modern research technologies; and developing critical thinking and independent research skills. The program also aims to educate qualified researchers who can contribute scientifically to global environmental change and sustainability-related challenges, establish a common scientific language across disciplines, and conduct research at the international level.
Conducted within the Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences at Istanbul Technical University, the Earth System Science Program is an advanced graduate program designed to educate a new generation of researchers who embrace an interdisciplinary research culture, employ contemporary scientific methods, and approach the Earth system from a holistic perspective.
Program Learning Environments
Classroom-based learning environments
Laboratory environments:
3D Earth Modeling Laboratory,
Marine Biogeochemistry Laboratory,
Mineral Preparation and Separation Laboratory,
Thin Section Laboratory,
Cosmo-Lab Cosmogenic Isotope Laboratory.
English Proficiency
Regulations and Guidelines
Academic Calendar
Course Plans
Course Schedules
Course Adjustment and Exemption Procedures
Program Educational Objectives
The rigorous science support needed for a sustainable life on our planet, and it cannot be achieved without a through earth science education. On the other hand, education of geoscience needs a new point of view in an interdisciplinary cultural research infrastructure. In this changing new direction of our world, the boundaries between the disciplines must be raised or at least developed. The technology that develops in research, education and communication should be utilized to the utmost. The objective of the Earth System Science PhD program is to train competent undergraduate students who can look at the Earth's solid, liquid and gas layers as a whole. To train students who can comprehend the Earth’s systems, and understand the dynamics of these systems work. Our educational aim is to conduct high-level and multidisciplinary research on the characteristics of all layers of the Earth, to train young researchers who can look at the place as a whole. Our students will have the highest level of education in the field of expertise but they also understand the language of other disciplines and use quantitative methods and appropriate technologies in their studies.
Measurement and Evaluation
Evaluating Student Success
The student success is evaluated considering Articles 56, 57, 58, and 59 of the Istanbul Technical University Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles.
ARTICLE 56 - Before the enrollment for the courses begins, the faculty member who offers the course informs the Program Executive Committee about the types, number and contribution percentage to the final grade of the studies within the semester, as well as requirements for a right to take the semester final exam. These requirements shall be finalized by approval of the Program Executive Committee and approval of the chair of the department, who declares them to the student and informs the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 57 - A student may appeal the final grade of a course within one week following the announcement of the grades. Appeals must be submitted to the Graduate School in writing. The relevant faculty member shall re-evaluate the student's success status and submit the result to the Graduate School within one week. Appeals not submitted within the prescribed time frame shall not be considered by the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 58 - Courses in graduate programs shall be evaluated according to the following grading system.
| Grade Description |
Grade |
Scale |
| Excellent |
AA |
4.00 |
| Very good plus |
BA+ |
3.75 |
| Very good |
BA |
3.50 |
| Good plus |
BB+ |
3.25 |
| Good |
BB |
3.00 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB+ |
2.75 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB |
2.50 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC+ |
2.25 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC |
2.00 |
| Fail |
FF |
0.00 |
| Fail(No Exam) |
VF |
0.00 |
ARTICLE 59 - Students who wish to improve their cumulative grade point average may retake courses during the course-taking period. The most recent grade will be counted for the repeated courses.
Internship
There is no internship in this program.
Graduation Requirements
- 50% percent of courses must be with 600 codes (minimum 12 credits),
- To be successful in total 21 credits,
- To have at least a CC grade from each course,
- Having a 30% English requirement (practically three 3-credit courses),
- To be successful in the seminar course,
- To pass the comprehensive exam
- The GPA must be minimum 3.0.
- Organize and defend research results as a thesis
- Publish research results as an article in a SCI index journal
The Awarded Degree and Title
Degree : Doctor of Philosophy Title : Doctor of Philosophy
Program Employment Opportunities
Students who receive degrees from this program can be employed by the public and private sector organizations and can work in areas that are dedicated to the development of natural resources, understanding of Earth processes and minimizing the risks arising from these processes. They may also apply to post-doctoral programs at national or international higher education institutions, serve as faculty member, specialist or lecturer.
Number of Graduates
Graduate Statistics (Last Five Years)
| Year | Number of Graduates |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Program Outcomes
P.O.1 Understands major components of the Earth System and their dynamics at advanced level
P.O.2 Is knowledgeable about methodologies used for modeling the Earth processes; can use information technologies toward this goal
P.O.3 Contributes to research projects aiming at analyzing global, regional and local environmental issues through appropriate use of her/his background in natural sciences
P.O.4 Thinks critically in the field of Earth Sciences
P.O.5 Knows the academic ethics
P.O.6 Follows new studies in the scientific environment, establishes relations with their own studies, presents her/his work in written or oral form on national and international platforms, and shares the results with the society
Program Coordinator
Head of the Department
Application requirements, application dates, and quotas are updated in real-time from the Application System.
Click for detailed student count.
Links