Program Overview

Overview

The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Geology. The program is research-oriented and affiliated with several research institutes and centers, including the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).

Requirements

Admission Requirements

Students applying for admission are evaluated holistically, considering their undergraduate preparation, personal statement, research interests, and letters of recommendation. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. Each student acquires a primary advisor and an advisory committee that provides guidance throughout the degree program.

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites are mentioned.

Program Requirements

Candidates for the master's degree in geological sciences must complete at least 30 hours of graduate credits, either with a thesis (Plan I) or without a thesis (Plan II). The only specifically required classroom courses are:

• GEOL 5101 Introduction to Geological Sciences Faculty I (1 credit)
• GEOL 5102 Introduction to Geological Sciences Faculty II (1 credit)

A maximum of 6 credit hours may be completed at the 3000- or 4000-level to count toward the 30 hours. A maximum of 9 graduate-level credits may be transferred from another university, subject to the discretion of the student's principal advisor and the department's Associate Chair for graduate studies.

Plan I: Thesis Option

Students must complete a minimum of 4, but no more than 6, credit hours of Master's Thesis (GEOL 6950) as part of the 30 credit hour requirement.

Plan II: Non-thesis Option

The Department of Geological Sciences typically does not admit students into a Plan II (non-thesis) master's program, but Plan I or PhD candidates occasionally transfer into this option. Students must complete 3 credit hours of Plan II Master's Research (GEOL 6960) under the supervision of the student's advisory committee, as part of the 30 credit hour requirement.

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Conduct research in geological sciences
• Apply knowledge of geological sciences to real-world problems
• Communicate research findings effectively
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the field
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to complex geological problems

Related areas of study include:

• Geography
• Astrophysical and planetary sciences
• Atmospheric and oceanic sciences
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geophysics
• Microbiology
• Ecology and evolutionary biology

The GEOL program also participates in certificate programs in:

• Geophysics
• Oceanography
• Hydrological sciences

Degree programs for incoming graduate students are individually designed according to the research efforts of the faculty. It is highly recommended that students locate a faculty member whose research interests most closely match their own.