XIII. Requirements for Specific Degree Programs in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering

M.S. Geology

Required coursework: Aside from GEOL 790 and 795, there are no core courses specified for the M.S. degree in Geology. Course work laid out in the Program of Study is designed by the Advisory/Examination Committee on an individual basis.

Ph.D. Geology

Required coursework: Aside from GEOL 790 and 795, there are no core courses specified for the Ph.D. degree in Geology. Course work laid out in the Program of Study is designed by the Advisory/Examination Committee on an individual basis.

M.S. Geological Engineering

Required coursework: Aside from GEOL 790 and 795, there are no core courses specified for the M.S. degree in geological engineering. Students that are admitted to this program from Bachelor of Science degrees that are non-engineering related are expected to make up the following undergraduate course deficiencies as a minimum:  CE/MECH 241 (statics), CE 372 (strength of materials), and MINE 350 (fluid mechanics).  Additionally, a student’s examination committee may recommend that the third semester of calculus and a course on differential equations be added as deficiencies.  All M.S. students in geological engineering are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination prior to graduation and this is the reason why deficiency coursework is required of students from non-engineering backgrounds.  Moreover, all M.S. students are encouraged to take at least one course from each of the geological engineering faculty for purposes of broadening knowledge of the geological engineering discipline.  Students have two degree options: thesis and non-thesis. Students opting for the non-thesis option are required to write a professional paper and pass an oral examination prior to graduation.

M.S. Geophysics

Required coursework: Aside from GEOL 790 and 795, there are no core courses specified for the M.S. geophysics. In addition, for those students specializing in seismology, there is a recommended course sequence for that can be obtained from the Seismology Office. For students specializing in other areas of geophysics, the course work laid out in the Program of Study is designed by the Advisory/Examination Committee on an individual basis. 

Ph.D. Geophysics

Required coursework: Aside from GEOL 790 and 795, there are no core courses specified for the Ph.D. degree in Geophysics. Course work as laid out in the Program of Study is designed by the Advisory/Examination Committee on an individual basis. 

M.S. and Ph.D. in Hydrology and Hydrogeology

Contact the interdisciplinary graduate program in Hydrologic Sciences for specific information relating to exams and coursework.