Head of the Department: R. James Kirkpatrick
Associate Head of the Department: W. Hilton Johnson
Correspondence and Information: Graduate Secretary, Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 245 Natural History Building , 1301 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-3541
Associate Professors: S. P. Altaner, J. D. Bass, C. Y. Chen, S. Marshak
Assistant Professor: T. J. Clarke
GRADUATE 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 are required for
admission to graduate work in geology, as well as completion of at least one
year of study in college-level calculus, chemistry, and physics. For more
information, write to the graduate secretary.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
The M.S. program in geology consists of a thesis option and a nonthesis option.
The thesis option requires completion of at least 8 units of graduate credit
and an M.S. thesis. Credit includes 6 units of formal course work and no more
than 2 units of M.S. thesis research. In all cases, at least 3 units of formal
course credit must be taken within the geology department, and at least 3 units
of formal course work must be completed at the 400 level. Before finishing the
degree, each student must present a colloquium on the thesis research. The
nonthesis option requires 9 units of credit, including at least 8 units of
formal course work and l unit of research/independent study (Geology 493)
requiring a written report. At least 3 units of the formal course work must be
completed in the department, at least 3 units must be completed at the 400
level, and no more than 2 units of credit are allowed for 300-level courses
required in any of the options of the curriculum in geology and geophysics at
UIUC. This option is intended as a terminal degree for students preparing for
professional work in environmental and engineering geology and applied
geophysics. Students in both options must maintain a minimum grade-point
average (GPA) of 4.0 (A = 5.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum after 3 or
more units of graded course work, it must be raised to or above 4.0 after the
completion of 3 additional units of graded course work and must be maintained
at or above the minimum thereafter.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN THE TEACHING OF EARTH SCIENCE
Candidates must earn 8 units of graduate credit, including 4 units in geology,
2 units in other earth science areas, and 2 units in education. At least 3
units of formal course work must be at the 400 level. In addition, candidates
must fulfill the requirements to be certified to teach at the secondary school
level in Illinois. Contact the certification officer of the Council on Teacher
Education (110 Education Building, 333-7195) for information pertaining to
pursuing certification while enrolled in the graduate program. A student must
maintain a minimum GPA of 4.0 (A = 5.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum
after 3 or more units of graded course work, it must be raised to or above 4.0
after the completion of 3 additional units of graded course work and must be
maintained at or above the minimum thereafter.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
The Ph.D. degree requires at least 24 units of graduate credit and completion
of a Ph.D. thesis. At least 10 of these units must be formal course work, with
the remainder as independent study and thesis research. A minimum of 8 units
must be Ph.D. thesis research. At least half of the formal course work must be
at the 400 level, at least 3 courses must be taken in the geology department,
and at least 2 courses (totaling at least 11/2 units) must be taken
outside the geology department. Credit for M.S. thesis research is limited to a
maximum of 2 units. Incoming students with an M.S. degree are usually allowed 8
units of credit towards the Ph.D. (6 units of formal courses and 2 units of
M.S. thesis research). There is no foreign language requirement. A student must
maintain a minimum GPA of 4.0 (A = 5.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum
after 3 or more units of graded course work, it must be raised to or above 4.0
after the completion of 3 additional units of graded course work and must be
maintained at or above the minimum thereafter. Ph.D. students are evaluated by
three oral examinations: a qualifying exam, a preliminary exam, and a final
exam. The qualifying exam 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 exam tests advanced knowledge in a
specialized field and the ability to define and defend a Ph.D. dissertation
proposal. The final exam tests the ability to complete and defend Ph.D.
dissertation research.
FINANCIAL AID
Candidates for graduate degrees are usually supported through fellowships,
research assistantships, teaching assistantships, waivers of tuition and
service fees, and work-study programs. Fellowships and assistantships include
tuition and fee waivers. Awards for financial assistance are based principally
on a candidate's academic record, statement of plans, and letters of reference.
Some part-time assistants are employed by the State Geological Survey located
on campus.
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