The Department of Earth Science works to provide a friendly atmosphere for all students. The relatively small size of the Department means that graduate students have regular access to their advisors and other professors in the Department; interactions with members of other departments on campus and outside investigators are encouraged. Undergraduate students play a visible and important role in our research and in Departmental life. Owing to these factors and more, we feel that we offer a unique and exceptional opportunity for outstanding students interested in graduate study in the Earth sciences with attentive faculty collaborators.