Student Information Applications and Funding The Departments of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Geography, and Biological Sciences offers support through Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) and Research Assistantships (GRAs). GTA and GRA support includes a tuition waiver and is guaranteed for 2 years for MS students and 4 years for PhDs. Additional salary support for graduate students is usually available through research grants and scholarships. The overall support package is very competitive with other programs. Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program provides opportunities for selected undergraduates to develop research skills by offering them monetary and scholarly support and significant apprenticeships with senior faculty. Such support and experience will enhance students' opportunities in college and beyond. Faculty prepare intellectually engaging and academically enriching ways for undergraduates to participate in research, and they work closely with these students as mentors and research guides. Faculty members may receive a grant from the college for research expenses supporting their student-assisted project. Students who are selected receive a stipend and the opportunity to be involved in first hand research. Microbial Observatory-Related Courses Geology 421. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY 430. GEOMICROBIOLOGY 431. METHODS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY 520. GEOCHEMISTRY OF LOW-TEMPERATURE AQUEOUS SYSTEMS 524. STABLE ISOTOPE GEOLOGY 537. CONTAMINANT HYDROGEOLOGY 544. GLACIAL GEOLOGY 630. ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTIRY 647. GEOCHEMISTRY SEMINAR Geography 302. SOIL SCIENCE 422.PLANT-SOIL INTERACTIONS 465 / 565. GEOGRAPHIC FIELD WORK Biological Sciences 213. INTRODUCTORY BACTERIOLOGY 308. GENETICS 313. MICROBIOLOGY 316. GENERAL ECOLOGY 413. MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY 525. ELECTRON MICROSCOPY 545. BIOINFORMATICS 546. PROGRAMMING FOR BIOINFORMATICS 555. MICROBIAL DIVERSITY 570. BIOSTATISTICAL ANALYSIS