Thesis research can be conducted under auspices of faculty at BSU or ISU, but registration must be for ISU GEOL 650 (Thesis) totaling six credits. Students can register for GEOL 650 only after a thesis prospectus has been approved. Normally, students must spend at least one semester at ISU. Students may apply credits of GEOL 648 (Research Problems-ISU credit), taught by BSU faculty, to their degree. These are ISU credits, not BSU transfer credits.
The total credits required are the same as for a normal ISU geology M.S. degree (at least 17 at 600 level; at most 13 at 500 level.) The requirement of two approved courses from outside the field of geology can be met at either ISU or BSU. Presentation of at least one geology colloquium at ISU is required.