Student Opportunities
Research is an important part of learning in the School of Earth and Environment. Students can move beyond studying established knowledge and take part in the process of asking questions, collecting and analyzing evidence, and communicating new findings.
Undergraduate research
Undergraduates are encouraged to get involved early. Research can help students explore career interests, build technical and problem-solving skills, develop strong faculty mentoring relationships, and prepare for graduate school or the workforce.
- Work with a faculty mentor on an individual or team research project.
- Gain experience in the field, laboratory or with GIS, remote sensing, modeling and data analysis.
- Earn academic credit for approved research experiences in Geology, Geography or Environmental Science pathways.
- Apply for undergraduate research fellowships and other funding opportunities when available.
- Present research at scientific meetings and, in some cases, contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
- Connect with research at Konza Prairie; Environmental Science students may become involved in projects there as early as their first semester.
Environmental Science majors complete three credits of individual experiential learning and may choose research as the way to fulfill that requirement.
Graduate research
Original research is central to graduate study in Geology and Geography. Graduate students work closely with faculty advisors to develop research questions, select appropriate methods, conduct field or laboratory work, analyze results and complete a thesis or dissertation.
- Conduct independent thesis or dissertation research with faculty mentorship.
- Collaborate with research teams at K-State and with university, government, and other partners in the United States and internationally.
- Use specialized School laboratories, field equipment, geospatial facilities and shared university resources.
- Apply for department research grants, fellowships and other funding that may support field travel, equipment, data, software or other research needs.
- Present findings at professional conferences and pursue publication in scholarly journals.
Funding and recognition
Students have access to department and university opportunities that can support research and recognize outstanding work. Geography students, for example, may compete for undergraduate fellowships and graduate research grants, while students across the School can pursue university and external research funding, scholarships and awards.
K-State geography students have earned recognition from organizations and agencies including the National Science Foundation, NASA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Defense and major professional geography organizations.
How to get started
A good first step is to explore faculty research interests and identify topics that match your own. Students are encouraged to contact faculty members directly to ask about current projects, research credit, assistantships or other ways to participate. Academic advisors can also help connect research experiences with degree and career goals.