Graduate study in the Department of Geology and Planetary Science provides students with a strong foundation in various aspects of the geosciences. Areas of specialization may include environmental and isotope geochemistry, applied geophysics and tectonics, paleoclimatology, planetary science, remote sensing and GIS, volcanology, and human-environmental interactions. The department offers degree programs which lead to an MS or PhD in geology and planetary science, as well as a professional MS degree in geographic information systems and remote sensing.

Admission Requirements

• A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• The minimum TOEFL score TOEFL score is 90 (with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections of speaking, listening, reading and writing)
• The minimum IELTS score is 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections)

Program Requirements

The Master of Science degree requires completion of a minimum of 30 credits, of which 18 must be formal lecture classes. Six credits of thesis research also are required, as is a comprehensive exam.

The student must present a thesis showing marked accomplishment in some part of the field of his or her major subject as well as competency in the methods and techniques of scientific investigation. The thesis is to be the result of an independent investigation conducted by the student. There is an oral defense of the thesis as well as a formal departmental seminar presentation. All MS theses shall serve as sources of published material.

Students are encouraged to contact individual faculty members in their research area of interest for additional information about opportunities.

Download the Full Master's Requirements.