Both thesis and non-thesis options are available.
- Both options require at least 18 credit hours of non-research course work in geology and at least 3 credit hours in courses approved for graduate credit from allied sciences, mathematics, or the environmental program of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA).
- Up to 6 credit hours of 400-level courses approved for graduate credit may be counted toward the degree with the approval of the graduate advisor.
- The thesis option requires the completion of 30 credit hours, 6 of which are taken as GEOL-G810 Research (the thesis).
- The non-thesis option requires the completion of 36 credit hours, 3 of which consist of a research project taken as GEOL-G700 Geologic Problems.
- The departmental graduate committee must approve elective credits outside of the Department of Earth Sciences for both options.
Admitted students will be assigned a three-person advisory committee at the beginning of the first year of graduate study.
- The committee will prescribe a study program based on the interests of the student and the principal graduate advisor.
- Students must complete all degree requirements within six years of beginning the study program.
- Students must maintain a B (3.0) average or higher, and no grade below C is acceptable.