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Programs of Study, 1997-1999
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
GEOLOGY
Head of the Department: R. James Kirkpatrick
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. E-mail: belmore@hercules.geology.uiuc.edu
URL: http://www.geology.uiuc.edu
GRADUATE FACULTY
Professors: T. F. Anderson, J. D. Bass, C. M. Bethke, D. B. Blake, W. P. Chen, R. L. Hay, A. T. Hsui, R. J. Kirkpatrick, C. J. Mann, A. S. Nieto
Associate Professors: S. P. Altaner, C. Y. Chen, S. Marshak
Assistant Professor: T. M. Johnson
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 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 eight units of graduate credit and an M.S. thesis. Credit includes six units of formal course work and no more than two units of M.S. thesis research. In all cases, at least three units of formal course credit must be taken within the geology department, and at least three 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 nine units of credit, including at least eight units of formal course work and l unit of research/independent study (Geology 493) requiring a written report. At least three units of the formal course work must be completed in the department, at least three units must be completed at the 400 level, and no more than two 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 3.0 (A = 4.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum after three or more units of graded course work, it must be raised to or above 3.0 after the completion of three 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 eight units of graduate credit, including four units in geology, two units in other earth science areas, and two units in education. At least three 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 (130 Education Building, 333-7195) for information pertaining to pursuing certification while enrolled in the graduate program. A student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum after three or more units of graded course work, it must be raised to or above 3.0 after the completion of three 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 eight units must be Ph.D. thesis research. At least half of the formal course work must be at the 400 level, at least three courses must be taken in the geology department, and at least two courses (totaling at least 1.5 units) must be taken outside the geology department. Credit for M.S. thesis research is limited to a maximum of two units. Incoming students with an M.S. degree are usually allowed eight units of credit towards the Ph.D. (six units of formal courses and two units of M.S. thesis research). There is no foreign language requirement. A student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0). If the GPA falls below this minimum after three or more units of graded course work, it must be raised to or above 3.0 after the completion of three 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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