Departments & Programs
Department of Earth Sciences
Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Geology
The Department of Earth Sciences graduate program leads to a Master of Science degree from Indiana University. The program is administered by a departmental graduate advisory committee, composed of the graduate advisor and two or more members of the graduate faculty.
Admission Requirements
Prospective students should have a bachelor’s degree in geology, including a summer field course, and a minimum of a B (3.0) average in geology courses. One year of chemistry and mathematics through college algebra and trigonometry are required. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another area of science are also encouraged to apply; the departmental graduate advisory committee will prescribe a plan of study to remove deficiencies. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is required; the Subject Test in Geology is optional. Each student must submit three letters of recommendation.
Financial Aid
Admitted students may be appointed as research assistants or as teaching assistants in introductory geology courses. Several such assistantships are available each year. Assistantships include remission of tuition and fees.
Degree Requirements
Both thesis and non-thesis options are available. Both options require at least 18 credit hours of non-research course work in geology and at least 3 credit hours in courses approved for graduate credit from allied sciences, mathematics, or the environmental program of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). Up to 6 credit hours of 400-level courses approved for graduate credit may be counted toward the degree with the approval of the graduate advisor. The thesis option requires the completion of 30 credit hours, 6 of which are taken as GEOL-G810 Research (the thesis). The non-thesis option requires the completion of 36 credit hours, 33 credit hours as non-research coursework (GEOL-G810 does not count towards this) and 3 credit hours of a research project taken as GEOL-G700 Geologic Problems. The departmental graduate committee must approve elective credits outside of the Department of Earth Sciences for both options.
Admitted students will be assigned a three-person advisory committee at the beginning of the first year of graduate study. The committee will prescribe a study program based on the interests of the student and the principal graduate advisor. Students must complete all degree requirements within six years of beginning the study program. Students must maintain a B (3.0) average or higher, and no grade below C is acceptable.
Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Geology
The B.S./M.S. program combines the undergraduate B.S. program with the M.S. program in geology. The student will earn an Indiana University bachelor’s and master’s degree with completion of the M.S. thesis. The departmental graduate advisory committee administers the B.S./M.S. program.
Admission Requirements
Prospective students should have advanced standing in the undergraduate program. Students should apply to the program in early spring of the junior year. Students should submit GRE scores and three letters of recommendation. Application requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and will be considered by the departmental graduate committee.
Degree Requirements
Course and thesis requirements are the same as those listed under the Master of Science program in this bulletin. Upon acceptance into the program, the student will prepare a research and course plan in consultation with a graduate academic advisory committee. Research reading and data collection begins in the summer prior to the senior year of undergraduate study, and will be completed the following summer. The fifth year of study is devoted to graduate course work and completion of the M.S. thesis.
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Earth Sciences
The Ph.D. program prepares students for academic positions or research and leadership positions in local, state, national, or private environmental organizations. The goal of the program is to prepare future researchers and leaders who assess complex environmental systems and assist in providing sound options and solutions for optimizing human-environment interactions.
Admission Requirements
Prospective students should have a B.S. or M.S. degree in the physical, biological, or health sciences, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is expected. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is required. Individuals for whom English is a second language must demonstrate proficiency in English. Scores from the TOEFL exam should be submitted with the application for admission. Each student must submit three letters of recommendation.
Degree Requirements
Upon admittance to the program, students are assigned a preliminary advisory committee from among program faculty. Students identify an appropriate sub-discipline after their first year, and the preliminary advisory committee is reconstituted into a research committee to suit the research goals of the student. The research advisory committee ensures successful progress in later coursework, coordinates oral qualifying exams, and advises students in their progress to degree completion as appropriate. Students will complete four or five core graduate courses in applied earth science topical areas, based on their prior academic background. After completing the core courses, students identify a specialization area and enroll in at least 18 credit hours of additional courses in support of that specialization, with consultation of the research advisory committee. Students must complete all degree requirements within six years of beginning the study program, and must maintain a B (3.0) average.