Program Overview

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Earth Sciences: Geology, M.S.

The Earth Sciences Master's program with a focus in Geology at UNH offers advanced training in geological processes and environmental analysis. This program enables students to conduct field research and laboratory studies while exploring topics from climate change to water quality.

Program Overview

Through hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment and interdisciplinary projects, students develop the expertise needed for careers in environmental consulting, government research, or advanced academic study.

Why Get a Master's Degree in Earth Sciences with a Geology Option?

Earth scientists enable society to engage in the responsible and prudent use of Earth's resources and to understand and facilitate the mitigation of natural disasters and climate change. The demand for skilled geoscientists in the United States and worldwide is expected to grow rapidly in coming years. Students with an earth sciences M.S. are well suited for jobs in either the public or private sector that require knowledge of physical Earth system processes, laboratory analytical techniques, quantitative and geospatial data analysis, and scientific communication.

Why Choose UNH's Earth Sciences Program?

Earth sciences students at UNH gain experimental, numerical, and analytical skills in rigorous classes and research projects focused on sites in New England and around the world. Cutting-edge research experiences involve instrumentation such as petrographic microscopes, x-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electronic microscopes, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers, and magnetometers.

Potential Career Areas

• Computer modeling
• Economic geology
• Education
• Environmental hazard assessment
• Geophysics
• Governmental agencies (e.g., EPA, USGS, NOAA)
• Hydrogeology
• Marine geology
• Oil and gas extraction
• Renewable and alternative energy
• Seismology

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

This option is for students with interests in petrology, mineralogy, structural geology, tectonics, geophysics, sedimentology, glacial geology, paleoclimate, glaciology, hydrogeology, stratigraphy, paleontology, low- or high-temperature geochemistry, and isotope geochemistry, both those seeking a broad background in geology and also for those wishing to study one area in depth.

Admission Requirements

An applicant to the M.S. program is expected to have demonstrated competency in the following college courses: one year each of calculus and chemistry and two semesters of physics and/or biology. In addition, the applicant is expected to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent in geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or the biological sciences.

Degree Plan

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

• First Year:
  • Fall: Core Curriculum 1 Course (4 credits), Elective I Course (3-4 credits), ESCI 997 Seminar in Earth Sciences (1 credit)
  • Spring: Core Curriculum 2 Course (4 credits), Elective 2 Course (3-4 credits), ESCI 998 Proposal Development (1 credit)
• Second Year:
  • Fall: Core Curriculum 3 Course (3-4 credits), ESCI 899 Master's Thesis (or Elective for non-thesis option) (3-4 credits)
  • Spring: Elective 3 Course (3-4 credits), ESCI 899 Master's Thesis (or ESCI 898 Directed Research) (2 or 3 credits)

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

• Thesis Option: Students must satisfactorily complete at least 30 graduate credits, which include the core curriculum, a master's thesis (6 credits), and give an oral presentation of the results.
• Non-Thesis Option: Students must satisfactorily complete at least 34 graduate credits, which includes the core curriculum, a directed research project (2 credits), and a written and oral presentation of that research.

Geology

The core curriculum for the option in geology normally includes:

• ESCI 997 Seminar in Earth Sciences (first year)
• ESCI 998 Proposal Development (first year)
• Select a minimum of three courses from the following:
  • ESCI 826 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • ESCI 834 Global Geophysics
  • ESCI 841 Geochemistry
  • ESCI 845 Isotope Geochemistry
  • ESCI 854 Sedimentology
  • ESCI 856 Geotectonics
  • ESCI 859 Geological Oceanography
  • ESCI 862 Glacial Geology
• Master's Thesis or Directed Research:
  • ESCI 899 Master's Thesis (6 credits)
  • ESCI 898 Directed Research (2 credits)

Accelerated Master's

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master's programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor's degree.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master's degree or graduate certificate early.
• Earn up to 12 graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor's degree.
• Students complete the bachelor's degree, and then officially matriculate into the master's or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).

Earth Sciences: Geology (M.S.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):

• Earth Sciences (B.A.)
• Earth Sciences (B.S.)
• Environmental Sciences: Geosystems (B.S.)
• Environmental Sciences: Hydrology (B.S.)

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a MS in Earth Sciences: Geology should achieve the following learning outcomes:

Core Knowledge

• Demonstrate a foundation of knowledge in Geology that results in expertise in at least one of the following:
  • Solid Earth Processes
  • Earth Surface Processes
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of how the processes within each of these fields interact with other related disciplines.
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge of a field within geology or geophysics sufficient to conduct substantive supervised research.

Research Methods and Analysis

• Identify and demonstrate knowledge of a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies typically used in geological research.
• Discover and critically read published research in the Earth sciences and related fields of mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Frame empirical research and/or theory guided by prior knowledge.
• Implement a rigorous study using appropriate methods, measures, and techniques.
• Critically evaluate and systematically analyze data to reach appropriate findings and interpretations.

Scholarly Communication

• Structure a coherent argument that rigorously presents and evaluates evidence to support claims.
• Review and cogently synthesize relevant literature.
• Write at a level and in a style of English consistent with that found in leading academic journals.
• Understand and properly use styles of citing, referencing, and formatting found in leading academic journals.
• Clearly convey research findings through oral presentation supported by appropriate digital media.
• Cogently summarize research and its significance to non-specialist audiences.

Professionalism and Pedagogy

• Prepare manuscripts that meet the standards of academic and research journals and respond appropriately to recommendations for revision.
• Demonstrate collaboration, leadership, and teamwork.
• Create a welcoming environment that is supportive, inclusive, and equitable.
• Make effective contributions to university, community, and professional service.
• Communicate effectively to groups in a lecture format.

Application Requirements & Deadlines

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall: Jan. 15 (for funding); April 1 (final)
• Spring: Dec. 1
• Summer: N/A
• Special: N/A
• Application fee: $65
• Campus: Durham
• New England Regional: No
• Accelerated Masters: Yes

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally.

Letters of Recommendation

3 letters of recommendation are required.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the qualifications the program looks for in a student?

Admissions decisions will be based on:

• Alignment with and advocacy from a potential advisor.
• Academic preparation.
• Scholarly potential.
• Persistence, motivation, and realistic self-appraisal.
• Potential to capitalize on their unique experiences, perspectives, or talents to contribute to the scholarly community at UNH.

What type of funding does the program offer, if any?

Many students receive funding from Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA) positions. Contact potential advisors to discuss sponsorship.

When are application decisions typically made?

For fall admission, apply by January 15 if seeking funding, and by April 1 for regular admission. For spring admission, apply by December 1. Admission decisions will be made a few weeks after those dates.