Program Overview

Introduction to Graduate Programs

The Department of Geosciences offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science degree in Geoscience with various concentrations.

M.S. Concentrations

The Department of Geosciences offers the following concentrations:

• Broadcast Meteorology Concentration (Non-Thesis): Designed for students intending to pursue meteorology careers in media, combining meteorology coursework with the Practicum in Broadcast Meteorology sequence. A research project presentation and a written and oral comprehensive examination are required.
• Professional Meteorology/Climatology Concentration (Thesis): Intended to prepare students for forecasting careers or further graduate study. Thesis defense/comprehensive exam is required.
• Geology Concentration (Thesis): Intended to prepare students for careers in professional geology or further graduate study. Thesis defense/comprehensive exam is required.
• Geography Concentration (Thesis): Appropriate for students interested in studying the spatial distribution of cultural and physical features across the Earth's surface. It can be tailored toward specific interests in either human or physical geography. Thesis defense/comprehensive exam is required.
• Geospatial Sciences Concentration (Thesis): Designed to prepare students to use geospatial technologies to provide insight into Earth and atmospheric processes. Thesis defense/comprehensive exam is required.
• Environmental Geosciences Concentration (Thesis): Intended for students interested in a broader cross-section of the geosciences. Thesis defense/comprehensive exam is required.

Geospatial and Remote Sensing Minor

The Geospatial and Remote Sensing (GRS) minor is a cross-disciplinary program that allows students from any major to develop and enhance their geospatial skills. Students will learn important theoretical concepts associated with geographic information systems and remote sensing sciences, and they will acquire the ability to use these methods to solve spatial problems.

Distance Education Programs

The Department of Geosciences offers the following distance education programs:

• Master of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Applied Meteorology (Non-Thesis): Prepare yourself to forecast the next big winter storm or warn the public of an impending tornado by completing advanced meteorological training in remote sensing, severe weather, GIS, and more. Includes a four to five day campus visit.
• Master of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Environmental Geosciences (Non-Thesis): Diversify your knowledge of the earth sciences by studying advanced courses in content areas such as climate change, GIS, meteorology, and more. Includes a face-to-face field study experience.

Graduate Student Support

The Department of Geosciences offers various forms of support for graduate students, including:

• Teaching assistantships: Full-time and half-time teaching assistantships are often available for graduate students in Geography, Geology, Geospatial Sciences, and Meteorology.
• Research assistantships: Research assistantships are also often available to graduate students, usually requiring them to teach labs in addition to working on a research project. The amount of the monthly research assistant stipend is dependent on a particular project and grant.