Department of Geosciences

For more information on degree offerings, visit the Department of Geosciences webpage.

The Department of Geosciences offers Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in geosciences and geophysics and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)  degree program in geosciences. The major areas of emphasis in the graduate program include sedimentary geology and reservoir characterization, geochemistry, geophysics, environmental geoscience, and structural geology. An M.S./J.D. joint degree program  in law and geosciences is also offered in conjunction with The College of Law .

Learning Objectives

Master of Science in Geosciences. Students who complete the M.S. degree program in geosciences will:

• Develop advanced content knowledge and technical skills in geosciences;
• Possess the ability to develop, recognize and test hypothesis in specific areas of earth sciences;
• Develop skills for effective communication of research; and
• Develop testable research goals and implement experimental tests.

Master of Science in Geophysics. Students who complete the M.S. degree program in geophysics will:

• Develop advanced knowledge in geophysical techniques;
• Develop advanced problem solving skills in geophysics;
• Demonstrate professional achievement.

Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences. Students who complete the Ph.D. degree program in geosciences will:

• Develop proposals for unique and original research in geosciences based on critical evaluation and command of scientific literature;
• Communicate complex scientific information to a technical audience, as well as to a general audience; and
• Conduct meaningful original research and solve complex problems.

Programs

• Geophysics, Non-Thesis Option, M.S.
• Geophysics, Thesis Option, M.S.
• Geosciences, Non-Thesis Option, M.S.
• Geosciences, Thesis Option, M.S.

• Geosciences, Ph.D.

• Geophysics, M.S. (Accelerated Master’s)
• Geosciences, M.S. (Accelerated Master’s)

• Geosciences, J.D./M.S.

Courses

• GEOG 6053 Geomorphology

• GEOL 6083 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• GEOL 6463 Petroleum Geology
• GEOL 6513 Hydrogeology
• GEOL 6544 Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks and Processes
• GEOL 6553 Environmental Geochemistry
• GEOL 6723 Paleoenvironment Interpretation
• GEOL 6861-6 Special Topics in Geology
• GEOL 7113 Plate Tectonics
• GEOL 7263 Carbonate Sedimentology
• GEOL 7313 Clastic Sedimentology and Depositional Systems
• GEOL 7333 Advanced Stratigraphic Analysis
• GEOL 7353 Sandstone Petrography
• GEOL 7401-6 Special Topics in Geochemistry
• GEOL 7413 Geochemistry
• GEOL 7433 Organic Geochemistry
• GEOL 7513 Microanalysis
• GEOL 7713 Regional Tectonics
• GEOL 7723 Geomechanics
• GEOL 7861-6 Special Topics in Geology
• GEOL 7913 Geology Report
• GEOL 7961 Residency
• GEOL 7981-6 Research and Thesis
• GEOL 7991-4 Independent Study
• GEOL 9981-9 Research and Dissertation
• GEOL 9991-9 Independent Study

• GPHY 6023 Field Methods in Geophysics
• GPHY 6053 Applied Geophysics
• GPHY 6403 Petroleum Seismology
• GPHY 6433 Seismic Data Processing and Interpretation
• GPHY 6463 Well Logging for Geologists and Geophysicists
• GPHY 6861-6 Special Topics in Geophysics
• GPHY 7143 Geophysical Reservoir Characterization
• GPHY 7153 Integrated Seismic Data Interpretation
• GPHY 7301-6 Special Topics in Geophysics
• GPHY 7913 Geophysics Report
• GPHY 7961 Residency
• GPHY 7981-6 Research and Thesis
• GPHY 7991-4 Independent Study
• GPHY 9981-9 Research and Dissertation
• GPHY 9991-9 Independent Study