GEOLOGY

Head of the Department: Stephen Marshak

Correspondence and Admission Information: Graduate Secretary, Department of Geology, 245 Natural History Building, 1301 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-3542; E-mail: b-elmore@uiuc.edu

URL: www.geology.uiuc.edu

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.
germanic languages and literatures
Departmental research programs inclu de 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.

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.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Students in the master of science program can follow the "standard" (or thesis) option or the "applied geology" (or nonthesis) option. The standard option requires completion of at least eight units of graduate credit and an M.S. thesis. The eight credits must include at least six units of formal coursework and no more than two units of M.S. thesis research. Of the formal courses, at least three units must be taken within the geology department, and at least three must be completed at the 400 level. Before finishing the degree, each student must present a colloquium on the thesis research. The applied geology option requires ten units of credit, including at least eight units of formal coursework and at least one unit of research/independent study (GEOL 493) requiring a written report. At least three units of the formal coursework 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 undergraduate curriculum in geology and geophysics at Urbana-Champaign. This option is intended as a terminal degree for students preparing for professional work in environmental and engineering geol ogy or in 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 coursework, it must be raised to 3.0 or above after the completion of three additional units of graded coursework 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 coursework 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, 217-333-7195) 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 coursework, it must be raised to 3.0 or above after the completion of three additional units of graded coursework 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 ten of these units must be formal coursework, with the remainder as independent study and thesis research. A minimum of eight units must be Ph.D. thesis research. At least five units of the formal coursework must be at the 400 level, at least three units must be taken in the geology department, and at least one unit 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 foreig n 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 coursework, it must be raised to 3.0 or above after the completion of three additional units of graded coursework and must be maintained at or above the minimum thereafter. 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.

FINANCIAL AID

Candidates for graduate degrees are usually supported through fellowships, research assistantships, teaching ass istantships, 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.