Geological Sciences Courses

The Department of Geological Sciences welcomes qualified applicants who possess an undergraduate degree in geology or in an allied science field such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, biological science, or engineering. The department offers five M.S. options:

Geology--specializations in sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, tectonics, geomorphology, stream processes, and paleontplogy.

Hydrogeology

Environmental geology

Environmental geochemistry

Geophysics

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, but the general test is recommended. Have the results reported to the Department of Geological Sciences.

All options require a minimum of eight graduate courses approved by the department and completion of a thesis. Specific course requirements depend on the option selected. For additional details on requirements, see the publication Graduate Program Information Package--Geological Sciences, available from the department.

Prospective graduate students for all options should have demonstrated background in chemistry, physics, and calculus. Minimal background for admission to the geology option without deficiency includes courses in mineralogy, petrography/petrology, structural geology, sedimentology/stratigraphy, geomorphology, paleontology, and field geology. Since the graduate options in hydrogeology, environmental geology, environmental geochemistry, and geophysics are designed for candidates with either undergraduate geology degrees or undergraduate degrees in allied sciences, the required background is flexible, and you may take certain undergraduate geology courses for graduate credit on the assumption of a more detailed background in a related science.

Applications for financial aid must be received by February 1 for priority consideration for fall quarter admission. You may be admitted in any academic quarter, but financial aid is often unavailable for students who do not enter in fall quarter.