Geology M.S.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers the M.S. degree in a range of specialties, listed below. Interdisciplinary research takes place with other groups, including the Darrin Fresh Water Institute and the Departments of Biology, Physics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Math and Computer Science, and Materials Science and Engineering.  The department also provides supervision of research and curriculum planning for students in the Applied Science Master’s program in areas including contaminant geochemistry and applied geophysics. Candidates for the M.S. degree must fulfill the requirements of the Office of Graduate Education. Two M.S. tracks are offered: 1) thesis or project program; and 2) courses-only track Evidence of success in graduate-level study must be shown.  Ongoing research is described on the department webpage. Applicants are encouraged to discuss current research topics with individual faculty members.

• Aqueous Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry
• Astrobiology
• Carbon Cycling
• Carbon in the Deep Earth
• Climate Assessment
• Earth System History and  Paleoclimatology
• Ecosystem Studies
• Geomicrobiology
• Geophysical Simulation
• Inorganic and Igneous Experimental Geochemistry
• Isotopic and Organic Geochemistry
• Lithosphere Dynamics and Tectonophysics
• Metamorphic Petrology and Geochemistry
• Seismology and Solid Earth Geophysics

Outcomes of the Graduate Program

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

• if following the thesis or project program, an ability to conduct research either with supervision or independently.

• if following the courses-only track, successful completion of learning outcomes designated for courses completed.