Geological Sciences

With one of the most successful graduate programs in the nation, the Department of Geological Sciences has enjoyed a reputation of excellence for more than 100 years. The doctoral program is ranked among the top 10 percent of U.S. geology programs by the National Research Council and is ranked ninth by U.S. News and World Report.

The graduate degrees offered include Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Graduate students have the opportunity to work with approximately 30 tenure and tenure­track faculty who support a wide range of interdisciplinary research programs in biochemistry, economic resources, geodynamics, geophysics, glaciology, global climate change, hydrogeology, paleontology and surficial processes. The department’s research areas are categorized into four broad research interest groups, including economic resourc

Candidates for the master’s degree in geological sciences must complete at least 30 credit hours of graduate course work either with a thesis (Plan I) or without a thesis (Plan II). At least 24 credit hours must be completed at the 5000-level or above. For those students completing a Plan I degree, these 24 credit hours must include a minimum of 4, but no more than 6, master’s thesis credit hours. The Plan II option requires at least 3 hours of GEOL 6960 (Plan II Master’s Research) under the supervision of the advisory committee. A maximum of 6 credit hours may be completed at the 3000- or 4000-level at the discretion of the associate chair for graduate studies and the principle advisor. 

Requirements

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 to apply.
3. Complete the online application.
4. Submit GRE General Test scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing) from exam taken within the last 5 years, scoring on average in the upper 50th percentile. Institution code: 4841.
5. Provide three letters of recommendation for U.S. applicants, or four letters of recommendation for international applicants.
6. Complete Science Study Summary, and upload it with the online application.
7. Provide a statement of purpose in essay form providing background information, research focus, and academic and professional goals, uploaded with the online application.
8. Submit one unofficial transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.
9. International applicants must submit financial statements showing proof of support and TOEFL scores from exam taken within the last 2 years. Minimum TOEFL scores: 537 (paper based)/75 (internet based). Institution code: 4841. The TOEFL requirement may be waived for applicants whose native language is English or for applicants who have completed at least one year of full-time academic study at a U.S. institution (or at an institution in a country where English is the native language) within 2 years of the desired admission term. The department does not accept IELTS.
10. Pay the nonrefundable application fee - $50 for U.S. applicants; $70 for international applicants.

Scholarships

Financial support is available to graduate students through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, and loans.