M.S. in Geological Sciences

The M.S. in Geological Sciences requires only two semesters of registered full-time study, but typically takes two years to complete. The M.S. requires the completion of a written thesis. Additional requirements and expectations are developed in conjunction with your Committee. Financial support is generally offered for two years, contingent upon adequate progress of the student and on the availability of funds.

The Graduate School has no specific requirements related to the number of or level of courses that students must complete in order to obtain the M.S. degree. Instead, the Special Committee determines which courses the student must complete. Also, satisfactory progress must be maintained, described in the next section. In Geological Sciences, students typically take 2-3 courses related to their major program each term during their first couple of years. Additionally, students often need to complete coursework in order to fulfill requirements related to their minor concentrations. The faculty member on the Special Committee representing the minor concentration determines which courses the student must take in order to fulfill the minor. M.S. students are required to enroll in at least 12 credits each term. If students are taking fewer than 12 credits of coursework or are no longer completing coursework, they will be automatically enrolled in an appropriate research course (i.e. GRAD 9012 Master’s Thesis Research, GRAD 9010 Graduate-Level Research, or GRAD 9011 Doctoral Dissertation Research) by the Graduate School for the remaining number of credits that they need.

M.S. students are expected to maintain a B (3.0) or better grade point average. Grades of C+ to D-, while passing, do not normally constitute satisfactory progress. Satisfactory progress also requires following the field and Graduate School schedule for setting committees and taking examinations, excepting cases where petitions for extension are approved. Satisfactory progress will be continually evaluated by the Special Committee Chairperson in coordination with the Director of Graduate Studies, as coursework and examinations are completed.

In addition to coursework, each student will be broadly assessed through a variety of metrics, such as making regular public presentations of research results, submission of papers to peer reviewed literature, participating in the writing of proposals (either internal or external), and participation in departmental and group seminars.

It is expected that students make progress in research each semester, with expectations varying depending on the situation – it is important that students discuss expectations on a regular basis with their advisor and committee.

An M.S. student is required to have at least two members on their special committee. For the Graduate Field of Geological Sciences the special committee includes a chairperson representing a concentration within the Graduate Field of Geological Sciences, and a minor member representing either an additional concentration within the Graduate Field of Geological Sciences or a concentration in an additional subject outside the Graduate Field of Geological Sciences. In most situations it is beneficial to have committee members besides the advisor who have expertise in your thesis topic, so you may have more than two committee members. It is recommend that an additional member or members be added when the minor member will not provide that expertise.

A student must submit the name of their special committee chair or temporary advisor to the Graduate School no later than three weeks after first registration. M.S. students must select their full committee as defined by the Graduate School (chairperson, minor member) by the end of their second semester.

In the Graduate Field of Geological Sciences, the exam format includes both oral and written components, as well as questioning. The exact format of the written component is to be decided by the special committee, but the purpose of the written component is to demonstrate that the student’s abilities at technical and scientific writing. Some possible formats for the written component include:

1. a research paper written by the student (with possible coauthors) that is either submitted or nearly submitted to a peer-reviewed journal; or
2. a research proposal that may include a progress report. The written section length should be approximately 10 pages single-spaced, not including figures or references and should be submitted to committee members at least two weeks before the date of the exam.

The oral section of the examination generally begins with a 15-25 minute research progress report followed by ample time for questioning by the committee. All students are recommended to talk with their advisor and special committee members at least one month prior to the exam about what their expectations for the exam. The oral exam must be scheduled with the Graduate School and must also be announced to the faculty in the Graduate Field of Geological Sciences by the Director of Graduate Studies at least seven days in advance of the examination. Students should schedule contiguous three hours for this examination in coordination with schedules of all committee members, although many A exams require less time. Ordinarily only members of the Special Committee attend and question the student, but other graduate faculty members are welcome to attend and are permitted to question the student.