Master of Science : Environmental and Urban Geosciences
Students in all graduate programs in which the Department of Geosciences participates are required to complete and publicly defend their thesis or dissertation before they can be awarded their M.S. or doctoral degree. Doctoral students must also pass a comprehensive examination.
The Department of Geosciences offers a master of science degree in Environmental and Urban Geosciences, the only such program in North America. This unique program prepares students, depending on their emphasis area, for advanced study of different facets of the environment including: environmental issues and geospatial methods (GIS and Remote Sensing), natural hazards, environmental remediation, waste management, air and water pollution, resource evaluation and management, geoarchaeology, historical geography, and urban land use and planning. Although the program allows students to select an emphasis area for more intensive study, all students are required to complete a core curriculum and a thesis.
Admissions Requirements
For full admission to the graduate degree program in environmental and urban geosciences (Code 6, degree-seeking status), the following requirements must be met:
Completion of an undergraduate degree with a major in a geosciences field (such as Environmental Studies, Geography, or Geology) and a grade-point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) overall, as well as in the major.
Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required but highly recommended.
Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references.
With department approval, students with non-geoscience undergraduate degrees may be admitted on a non-regular degree-seeking basis (Code 6-V). After successfully completing recommended courses for the appropriate undergraduate geoscience degree, including prerequisites, these students may be granted degree-seeking status.
Graduate Assistantships
Teaching and research assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis to incoming graduate students. Assistantship applications and all supporting materials should be submitted by March 15 for fall enrollment. GRE scores may be used to assign assistantships.
Students must select one of the following areas of concentration:
Environmental Geography and Geographic Information Science
The Environmental Geography and Geographic Information Science area of concentration will prepare students with a wide range of knowledge on environmental issues and geospatial methods (GIS, remote sensing, and environmental modeling). Required courses for students in this area are: Hours GEOG 5502 Environmental Remote Sensing 4 GEOG 5506 Global Environmental Change 3 GEOG 5507 Advanced Geographic Information Science 4
Based on student interest and departmental research priorities, students may also take courses in such areas as biogeography, climatology, ecosystem management, hydrology, and quaternary environments.
Environmental Geology
The Environmental Geology area of concentration provides opportunities for advanced study of geology with emphasis on human interaction with the environment. Hydrogeology, neotectonics, geochemistry, and environmental hazards and remediation are among the possible specialties a student could pursue in this emphasis area. Required courses for students in this area are: Hours GEOLOGY 5551 Geotechnics 4 GEOLOGY 5570 Hydrogeology 3 One of the following: GEOLOGY 5531 X-ray Methods in Geosciences -and- GEOL 5532 ICPMS Applications 4 GEOLOGY 5535 Aqueous Geochemistry 3 GEOLOGY 5541 Environmental Geophysics 3
Other coursework may include appropriate geology courses, as well as related departmental courses, especially those in geographic information science.
Urban and Cultural Geography
Students choosing this area of concentration can pursue studies in cultural geography, historical geography, history of cartography, geoarchaeology, regional analysis and development, and urban geography and planning. Required courses for students in this area are: Hours GEOG 5503WI History and Philosophy of Geography 3 GEOG 5507 Advanced Geographic Information Science 4 GEOG 5509 Urban Geography 3
Other coursework may include appropriate geography courses, as well as related departmental courses and cognate courses in other departments. Requirements for Retention
For newly admitted graduate students, elimination of all undergraduate deficiencies (if any) in the undergraduate major and its supporting prerequisites is required upon or before the completion of the first 12 hours of coursework for graduate credit. No graduate credit can be given for undergraduate courses taken to remove deficiencies.
All students are required to pass a qualifying examination administered by the department during their first year.
A 3.0 (B) average or better must be maintained in all graduate coursework. In addition, a 3.0 (B) average and a satisfactory balance of grades must be maintained in the approved program of study, or the student will be subject to either probationary status or dismissal from the program.
Requirements for Graduation
Formal acceptance of a planned program of study and research is required by the department and the graduate officer of the College. Such a program must comprise at least 30 graduate credit hours (approved by the supervisory committee), including 3 to 6 hours of thesis credit, and completion of the core curriculum and emphasis area requirements. No more than 40 percent of the program may be 300- to 400-level courses, and at least 18 credit hours must be at the 5500 level or above.
A formal written thesis is required of all students, and its format must be in accordance with guidelines of School of Graduate Studies.
A final examination is required, including oral examination of thesis research and related coursework.
Satisfactory compliance with all applicable requirements of the School of Graduate Studies is required, including continuous enrollment and residency.
