Curriculum and Course Work

Thesis option

M.S. degree in geology thesis option requires a minimum of 30 semester hours and completion of a thesis. The 30 hours include the following:

• 21 hours of graduate-level geology courses (including):
  • GEOL 7100 Geocommunication
• 3-5 hours of approved 6000- or 7000-level geology or supportive electives
  • no more than 3 hours of can be GEOL 7930 Directed Study
• 4-6 hours of Research and Thesis credit.

Non-thesis option

M.S. degree in geology non-thesis option must complete a minimum of 40 semester hours and a capstone project. The 40 hours include the following:

• 36 hours of graduate-level geology courses (including):
  
  • GEOL 7100 Geocommunication
• 4 hrs of approved 6000- or 7000-level geology or approved electives, all or a portion of which may be GEOL 7930 Directed Study or GEOL 7980 Capstone Project.

Both degree options require the following:

1. satisfactory completion of a summer field course or comparable field experience prior to beginning the second year of residence and
2. demonstrated working knowledge of a computer language or computer-based geographic information system (G.I.S.) before graduation.