<p>I’m a high school senior right now and I think that doing research on the Tibetan Plateau for climate change is something that I would seriously consider. If I wanted to pursue this dream of mine… what would be the best path in the Earth Sciences to take? I am already enrolled at the Jackson School of Geosciences at UT Austin and planning to go on to Graduate School (I haven’t decided where yet…) and I know its a long ways away, but its exciting to plan ahead for these things. I should probably just go with the flow and let everything play out in the next four years, but does anyone have any information or advice on this? Maybe getting a Masters vs. a PhD?</p>
<p>I know this is really out there, but is this a feasible dream to have? I just read an article about climate change and the glaciers melting on the Tibetan Plateau which provides the sources for almost all of the major rivers in Asia and I just fell in love with the idea of doing research there and making a difference in the world.</p>
<p>Feasible? Sure–why not? It’s cool that you found something you’re very interested in. And even though grad school is still far far away, it’s good incentive to keep those grades up freshman year Just keep an open mind about your options, though.</p>
<p>I’d recommend a strong background in math, physics, geochemistry, and/or hydrology. This depends a lot on what exactly interests you about the topic, too. If you’re into modeling, definitely take math/comp sci classes. If you’re into the water supply aspect, hydrology would be good. And, of course, if you’re into water politics, take both geo and non-geo classes. </p>
<p>What exactly do you like about the research? Have you read any other articles on different types of climate studies?</p>
<p>Actually, I have no idea what kind of research I would be getting myself into. The article I read was in the current National Geographic magazine about water and it just caught my eye how devastating it would be for a huge area like that to just melt away because of climate change. Just doing anything to help prevent that from happening would make me happy and I also have an interest in the culture and geography of Tibet and just being there would be amazing. Do you have any ideas what sorts of research I would actually be doing though?</p>
<p>I was thinking about maybe doing tests on the glaciers or the geology of the area, but I really don’t know since I have a very basic understanding of this kind of stuff as is. </p>
<p>And no, I haven’t read any other articles yet, but finding out about this has really opened me up and pushed me to read more into our Earth and how climate change is affecting it right now.</p>
<p>You should start asking your geoscience profs/advisors about what paths are advisable. They may even be able to point you towards summer research opportunities that would be applicable and help you decide if it is what you really want to pursue.</p>
<p>Well, I honestly can’t give you a definitive answer about the types of research you might do, because the earth sciences have so many different subfields. I can’t really think of something specifically related to looking at the glaciers out in the field other than some sort of monitoring. There are lots of people who work with models and figure out how the glacier will retreat within future years. Their research involves using other people’s data and chugging away with models. Now, if you were interested in paleoclimate or paleoenvironment, you would go out to the field and collect samples and see what the Himalayas were like in the past.</p>
<p>Just keep poking your nose around in different magazines, and get in touch with your advisor about it, too. :)</p>
<p>You can see some work being done. As with almost ALL research in todays world your specifc research won’t be the AH-HA solution but adds to the body of scientific research that generates directional knowledge and possible change.</p>
<p>i am a 30 year geoscientist in the energy and still love the basic research i hear about… go for it and enjoy!</p>
You are at a great school, do well, learn, get to know professors, develop an interest and explore that … and enjoy
In geosciences-plan on getting an advanced degree MS minimum… If as you gradute undergrad you are still interested pursue an MS at a school that is doing SPECIFIC research on this area of interest get a MS
If still interesed in research, pursue the PhD …
REmember --certainly at the BSc andMS levels your are going to be ‘grunt labor’ … just like in everything you have to pay your dues and for example spending summers describing detailed glacial sediments from 10,000 years ago to compare to changes in modern sediments … that might be your MS --after writing a theses</p>
<p>And if you are meant to do it … it wont even seem like work</p>
Just keep an open mind about your options, though.</p>