Graduate Programs
These programs enable students to pursue advanced studies in the geological sciences, leading to the degrees of Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the areas of geomicrobiology, environmental geology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, sedimentology, petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, seismology, petroleum geology and tectonics.
Requirements
For the MS and PhD programs, students with a bachelor’s degree in the geological sciences should have completed undergraduate courses in surficial processes (physical geology), Earth materials (mineralogy), Earth history, the Earth’s interior and field geology or equivalent field experience. Additional coursework in hydrology, environmental geology, structural geology, paleobiology, sedimentology and stratigraphy, and petrology is recommended, as are two semesters each of general chemistry, of mathematics (through integral calculus), and of general physics or general biology. For students entering with a bachelor’s degree in one of the cognate sciences, undergraduate courses in the allied sciences may be accepted in lieu of certain geology requirements. All applicants are required to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination.
Graduate students are expected to demonstrate breadth of training in the departmental focus areas of surficial processes, geochemistry and geodynamics by completing graduate courses outside their area of specialization. The courses are selected in consultation with the student’s advisor and the department’s graduate committee.
Master of Science Program
On matriculation, each student is assigned an advisor. On approval of a thesis topic, the student is assigned a research advisory committee. Programs of study must be approved by the advisor and departmental graduate committee.
Students who satisfy the following departmental requirements are recommended for the degree of Master of Science in Geological Sciences:
- Completion of an approved program of at least six graduate courses (a minimum of 24 credits of graduate courses) plus six credits of thesis;
- Submission of a thesis proposal with committee endorsement at the commencement of thesis research; and
- Successful defense of the thesis in an oral examination and submission of an approved final copy.
Doctor of Philosophy Program
Qualified students with either the bachelor’s or master’s degree who have demonstrated an understanding of fundamental problems in a wide range of Earth science disciplines are eligible for admission into the PhD program. Students in this program take courses to strengthen their understanding of the broad principles and practices of the geological sciences, as well as to provide training within their chosen specialization. This program may be supported by coursework in appropriate allied sciences. The department requires that all full-time PhD students complete a minimum of 33 credits and the general oral examination by the end of the third semester. This includes at least six formal four-credit graduate courses. In so doing, each student also must satisfy the University residence requirement and the department breadth requirement.
Programs of study must be approved by a faculty advisor and the departmental graduate committee. Before undertaking the dissertation, the student is assigned an advisory committee consisting of faculty whose research interests are appropriate to the proposed problem.
Students pursuing the PhD degree must demonstrate an ability to read scientific literature in a language other than English or demonstrate a research skill outside of the geological sciences. The particular language or research skill and the level of proficiency are determined by the student’s supervisory committee.
Admission to Candidacy
Students who satisfy the following departmental requirements are recommended for candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences:
- Completion of an approved program of coursework, including language or research requirements; and
- Passage of the departmental qualifying examination, composed of two parts:
- A general oral examination; and
- Oral defense of a proposal for a dissertation that has been approved by the student’s advisory committee.
Granting of the Degree
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences is recommended for candidates who have completed an approved program, received approval of the dissertation by the departmental graduate committee and by the student’s advisory committee, passed an oral examination in defense of the dissertation and submitted an approved final copy of the dissertation.