Master of Science
The Master of Science Degrees are designed to give students a solid background in geology, skills that can be applied in geology-related industry or teaching, experience in research and, in most cases, experience in teaching. The department offers three options for the M.S. degree.
The Standard Option awards the degree of M.S. in Geology. This option requires the completion of a thesis. It is the most commonly used option, and is designed for students who will pursue geological careers in research or industry, or who plan to continue graduate study toward a Ph.D. Most oil companies, for example, prefer to hire students who have completed a thesis, because of the valuable experience that students gain by doing thesis research. This option is designed to be completed in about two years, though students who enter the program with a sparse background in geology may need additional time.
The Applied Geology option also awards the degree of M.S. in Geology. It is designed for students who plan to enter an area of applied geoscience (e.g., engineering geology, hydrogeology, applied geophysics, environmental geology). This option can be completed in about 1.5 years by students who enter the department with no deficiencies, but generally will take 2 years. Students pursuing this degree option do not write traditional theses. As many employers expect M.S. recipients to have completed a thesis, this option is not commonly used.
The Teaching of Earth Sciences Option is a separate degree program designed for students who will teach at the secondary school level, and requires education classes and other sciences in addition to geology. It awards an M.S. Degree in the Teaching of Earth Science.
Standard OptionBasic Requirements
The standard M.S. degree includes a thesis and at least 32 hours of total credit:
- At least 24 hours of formal course work
- 8 hours of Geology 599 (Thesis Research)
- At least 12 hours of the formal course work must be completed in the Department
- At least 12 hours of the formal course work must be completed at the 500 level
- Credits from UIUC undergraduate work cannot be included
Advisor Requirement: A graduate student must have a formal thesis supervisor to proceed with the degree. The thesis supervisor also serves as the student's academic advisor.
Typical Timetable
Most full semester courses count as 4 hours for grad students. 4 hours of credit is roughly equivalent to 10 hours of work per week.
| Milestone | Normal Progress | Limit |
|---|---|---|
Select research advisor |
End of 1st semester |
End of 2nd semester |
Complete background coursework |
End of 3rd semester |
End of 4th semester |
4th semester |
6th semester |
|
Thesis Completion |
4th semester |
6th semester |
Thesis Format:
The M.S. thesis can either be in the "traditional format" (a multi-chapter document that is typically 40 to 100 pages long, including figures) or in the "publication format" (a manuscript ready for submission to a quality peer-review journal). All thesis should utilize good scientific writing practices.
As a rough guide, a thesis should describe an original research project carried out under the supervision of the thesis advisor. It should include:
- Definition of an original scientific problem
- Collection of data
- Interpretation of results
- Clear written presentation of results and interpretation, with clear figures
Thesis Readers:
- A thesis must be approved by two readers -- your advisor and one other reader (called the "second reader") of your choice. Your advisor must be a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Geology. The second reader may be another graduate faculty member in the Department, or may be an adjunct member of the faculty, or may be a member of another department in the University. Both readers must approve and sign the thesis in order for it to be officially accepted.
- You may have a third, optional reader from a relevant campus unit (e.g., the ISGS or another department) or from off campus. The third reader can help advise the work, and may sign the thesis, but does not vote on its acceptability.
- Be sure to choose the second reader (and third reader, if desired) early during your research. Keep all readers up to date on your progress. It is best to show both your advisor and the other reader(s) chapters of your thesis as you proceed, so there are no surprises.
Procedures for Completing the M.S. Standard Option:
Thesis Colloquium: When you have completed your research to the point where you can communicate the important conclusions, you must schedule a thesis colloquium (do this with Marilyn Whalen). The thesis colloquium lasts for 30 to 50 minutes, during which you make an oral presentation describing your thesis work, your results, and your interpretation to your fellow students and interested faculty. The thesis colloquium must be presented during a spring or fall semester while classes are in session.
Students should generally plan to give their thesis colloquium during the academic year. In rare cases when a student must present the colloquium during the summer session, they must petition the Graduate Studies Committee (a departmental petition) for approval. In general, the thesis colloquium comes after your advisor and second reader have read the thesis. But if the thesis will not be completed until the summer, and the advisor approves, the student may present the thesis colloquium in the spring before the writing is complete.
Thesis Completion and Signing:After you complete your oral presentation (in many cases, immediately afterward), you must meet with your advisor and your second reader, preferably at the same time. If your oral presentation occurs significantly before you complete the written thesis, the meeting will be delayed until the written thesis is complete. During this meeting, the readers will discuss any remaining questions about the research, and point out any final changes in the thesis that need to be made. If there are no changes needed, they will sign the thesis form (available from Marilyn Whalen). This signifies acceptance of the thesis. They may, alternatively, request that you make some changes, and can delay signing until you have made the corrections. Finally, you must obtain the signature of the Department Head on the thesis form.
Depositing your Thesis: The University requires that thesis meet certain format criteria. You formally complete the requirements for the degree when you deposit your thesis at the Graduate College. You must deposit multiple copies. See Marilyn Whalen so that she can do a format check and provide you with the official college ("thesis form") signature pages.
Applied Geology Option
This option is intended as a terminal degree for students training for professional work in environmental and engineering geology, and applied geophysics. After completion of this option, admission to the Ph.D. program can only be obtained by reapplying for admission. Students with strong backgrounds (e.g., graduates from the geology, environmental, and geophysics undergraduate options in Geology at UIUC) may be able to complete this option in one academic year plus one summer session, but generally it will take two years. Students in this option may do their research projects with staff from the ISGS. Students must declare their intent to pursue the non-thesis option at least one semester prior to completing degree requirements.
Advisor Requirement:
The student's program must be developed with the academic advisor and approved by the advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee. The advisor is responsible for monitoring the student's program and ensuring that all degree requirements have been satisfied.
Basic Program:
40 hours of credits required, including at least 32 hours of formal course work:
- 4 hours of research/independent study (Geology 593) with a written report
- At least 12 hours of formal course work must be completed in the Department
- At least 12 hours of formal course work must be completed at the 500 level
- No more than 8 hours are allowed for 400-level courses required in any of the options of the Curriculum in Geology and Geophysics at UIUC (i.e., students with insufficient backgrounds should not be allowed to pursue this option)
- Credits from UIUC undergraduate work cannot be included
Written Report:
The written report for the Applied Geology Option is not as involved as a thesis, but must demonstrate the student's ability to work independently, communicate scientific ideas, and present a polished written product. The report must be read by the advisor and a second reader (the second reader may be from the Geology Department or from a relevant campus unit, e.g., the ISGS or the Civil Engineering Dept.). The student must keep both readers informed of his progress throughout the project.
Reports are generally between 20 and 40 pages in length, including figures. The report may be:
- A case study with well supported conclusions
- A "report to management" with supported recommendations
- A description of the students research in a thesis format ("mini-thesis")
The report must represent an original piece of work. Rehashed term papers from courses are not acceptable. As always, good scientific writing practices should be followed.
Report Completion and Signing: Upon completion of the report, and after the readers have had an opportunity to read the report, the student must make a 20 to 30 minute oral presentation of the report to the two readers. This presentation can be open to the department at the option of the student. This presentation will be followed by a meeting with readers. If, at this time, the readers consider the report to be acceptable, they will sign the departmental signature sheet (obtained from Marilyn Whalen). The readers may, alternatively, require corrections before signing, or they may reject the report. Once the report has been signed by the two readers, the student must then obtain the signature of the Department Head. The signed copy must be deposited with Marilyn Whalen who will place the report in the department's files. Upon deposit of the report, the requirements for the Applied Geology Option are complete.
Teaching of Earth Sciences Option
This degree option is suitable for those intending to teach earth science or physical sciences at the high school level.
- 32 hours of credits required, including 16 hours in Geology/Geophysics
- 8 hours required in other areas of earth-related sciences (e.g., Astronomy, Geography, or Atmospheric Science)
- 8 hours required in education
- At least 12 hours at the 500 level
- Must fulfill requirements to be certified to teach secondary school in Illinois
- Credits from UIUC undergraduate work cannot be included
A written report or thesis is not required for this degree.
Please contact the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), if you spot any errors or inconsistencies in the policies.