Geology
245 Natural History Building
1301 West Green Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3542
E-mail: mkt@ad.uiuc.edu
Major: Geology
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Major: Teaching of Earth Science
Degrees Offered: M.S.
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Geology offers programs leading to the Master of Science in Geology, the Doctor of Philosophy in Geology, and the Master of Science in the Teaching of Earth Science. Students have a wide variety of choices in their courses and research programs. Departmental research programs include many aspects of geology, geochemistry, and geophysics.
Admission
The admission requirements of the Graduate College apply. In addition, scores for the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for admission to graduate work in geology, as well as completion of at least one year each of study in college-level calculus, chemistry, and physics. For more information, write to the graduate secretary. Under special circumstances, students can be admitted at the beginning of the spring term.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Degree Programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science, Geology
| Required Courses: | Thesis Option-Required Hours | Non-thesis Option-Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Formal coursework | 24 min | 32 min |
| Research/Project Hours (min/max applied toward degree): | 4 min | |
| Thesis Hours Required – GEOL 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | max 8 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 40 |
Minimum Hours Overall Required Within the Unit: |
12 | 12 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: |
12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | each student must present a colloquium on the thesis research | requires a written report |
| 400 level coursework is limited to 8 hours required in any of the options of the undergraduate curriculum in geology and geophysics at Urbana-Champaign | ||
| All students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A = 4.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum after 12 or more graduate hours of graded coursework, it must be raised to 3.0 or above after the completion of 12 additional graduate hours of graded coursework and must be maintained at or above the minimum thereafter. |
Students in the Master of Science program can follow the "standard" (or thesis) option or the "applied geology" (or non-thesis) option. The non-thesis option is intended as a terminal degree for students preparing for professional work in environmental and engineering geology or in applied geophysics and who have already been admitted to the program. We do not currently accept new students for the non-thesis master's degree. Students in the Master of Science program can follow the "standard" (or thesis) option or the "applied geology" (or non-thesis) option. The non-thesis option is intended as a terminal degree for students preparing for professional work in environmental and engineering geology or in applied geophysics and who have already been admitted to the program. We do not currently accept new students for the non-thesis master's degree.
Master of Science, Teaching of Earth Science
| Required Courses: | Thesis Option-Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Electives in earth science | 8 |
| Electives in education | 8 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
Minimum Hours Overall Required Within the Unit: |
16 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: |
12 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A = 4.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum after 12 or more graduate hours of graded coursework, it must be raised to 3.0 or above after the completion of 12 additional graduate hours of graded coursework and must be maintained at or above the minimum thereafter. |
Contact the certification officer of the Council on Teacher Education (130 Education Building, 217-333-7195) for information pertaining to pursuing certification while enrolled in the graduate program.
Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses: | Required Hours - Entering with approved M.S. degree | Required Hours - Entering with approved B.S. degree* |
|---|---|---|
| Formal Coursework (must include 4 hours of electives outside Geology) | 20 | 40 |
| Thesis Hours Required – GEOL 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | min 32 | min 32 |
| Total Hours | 64 | 96 |
Minimum Hours Overall Required Within the Unit: |
12 | 12 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: |
20 (not including 599) | 20 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| All students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A = 4.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum after 12 or more graduate hours of graded coursework, it must be raised to 3.0 or above after the completion of 12 additional graduate hours of graded coursework and must be maintained at or above the minimum thereafter. | ||
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes | Yes |
Ph.D. students are evaluated by three oral examinations: a qualifying examination, a preliminary examination, and a final examination. The qualifying examination tests breadth of knowledge as well as the ability to define and defend a research proposal in a specialized field at an early stage of graduate study. The preliminary examination tests advanced knowledge in a specialized field and the ability to define and defend a Ph.D. dissertation proposal. The final examination tests the ability to complete and defend Ph.D. dissertation research.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.
Financial Aid
Candidates for graduate degrees are usually supported through fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and work-study programs. Fellowships and assistantships include tuition and service fee waivers. Awards for financial assistance are based principally on a candidate's academic record, statement of plans, and letters of reference. Continuation of financial aid depends on student performance and, in the case of teaching assistants, on the receipt of good evaluations. Some assistants are appointed by the State Geological Survey located on campus.