Program Details | Geology Master’s

The master’s program is designed to train geology students beyond the baccalaureate degree for professional employment or for advanced graduate work. Students can choose between a thesis option and a non-thesis (project) option.

The program will evaluate a student’s record for deficiencies at the time of admission and develop a list of courses that must be completed for a grade of B or better in each course within a length of time specified in the admission letter.

Thesis Requirements

  • Completion of a minimum of 45 credits in approved graduate courses, including:
    • G 523 Statistics and Data Analysis in the Geosciences unless already taken as G 423 as an undergraduate
    • At least another 12 credits (16 credits if G 423 Computer Application in Geology was completed as an undergraduate) in the field of geology from G 510 or higher level courses
    • At least 8 credits in geology courses numbered G 610 or higher
    • A maximum of 9 credits will be allowed for courses numbered G 501 Research, G 504 Cooperative Education/Internship, G 505 Reading and Conference, or G 506 Special Problems. These courses are offered for P/NP credit only.
    • At least 6 credits of G 503 Thesis (P/NP only); up to 9 credits can count for the degree
  • Completion of field camp (could have been taken as an undergraduate) or equivalent field experience as approved by the field camp director
  • Presentation of a thesis
  • Completion of a final oral examination (thesis defense) taken before the end of the sixth week of the final term in residence

Non-Thesis (Project) Requirements

  • Completion of a minimum of 45 credits in approved graduate courses, of which 36 must be for differentiated grades (A-F), including:
    • G 523 Statistics and Data Analysis in the Geosciences unless already taken as G 423 as an undergraduate
    • At least another 12 credits (16 credits if G 423 Computer Application in Geology was completed as an undergraduate) in the field of geology from G 510 or higher level courses
    • At least 8 credits in geology courses numbered G 610 or higher
    • Student must complete 3 credits in G 501 Research
    • A maximum of 3 additional credits will be allowed for courses numbered G 501 Research, G 504 Cooperative Education/Internship, G 505 Reading and Conference, and G 506 Special Problems or similarly numbered courses in other departments. These courses are offered for P/NP credit only.
  • Completion of field camp (could have been taken as an undergraduate) or equivalent field experience as approved by the field camp director
  • Presentation of a thesis
  • Completion of a final oral examination (thesis defense) taken before the end of the sixth week of the final term in residence