Department of Geology

Chair and Associate Professor Rodgers
Professors Link, Ore
Associate Professor McCurry
Assistant Professors Hughes, Thackray
Instructor Fortsch
Affiliate Associate Professor Akersten
Supervisory Research Geologist Welhan

Master of Science in Geology

The M.S. degree is offered to those students who have degrees in geology who have demonstrated the potential for research and a professional career. Classified (degree-seeking, fully accepted) admission to the program is decided by the graduate faculty of the Geology Department in accordance with standards set by the Graduate School.

Admission

A complete graduate application for classified status in the ISU Geology Department consists of:

    a. GRE aptitude scores (35% on math or verbal is required for classified students)

    b. A letter of intent and statement of goals in Graduate School

    c. An ISU Graduate School application form and official copies of transcripts

    d. Three letters of recommendation

Applicant must hold the degree of Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in geology or the equivalent as determined by the department. The student's course of study will be determined by consultation and possibly an entrance examination. Students will normally be required to complete as deficiencies at the undergraduate level any courses required for the B.S. in geology at ISU which they have not already taken. Continued enrollment in the program is contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 grade point average and upon making satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Students who do not meet the minimum requirements or with incomplete applications can be admitted on a conditional or unclassified basis. Conditional status can be changed to classified after one or two semesters if performance is satisfactory. Unclassified status is used for students with large numbers of deficiencies or with very low undergraduate GPAs. Unclassified students may petition for classified status when their performance warrants.

Requirements

An M.S. student must complete at least 30 credits of geology-related courses, of which at least 17 credits (including six thesis credits) must be at the 600 level, and 13 credits may be at 500 or 600 level. Up to eight credits of 500 or 600 level courses in one or more related fields may be included. In addition, two approved courses from outside the geology department or a foreign language reading exam and a final, comprehensive oral examination are required. All graduate students are required to take GEOL 591, Seminar, and GEOL 601, Advanced Physical Geology. Normally these courses are taken in the first fall semester. Graduate students may not register for GEOL 650 (Thesis) until a thesis prospectus has been approved by the thesis committee. All graduate students are required to present at least one geology colloquium before taking their orals.