Academic Programs Catalog

The Master of Science degree program in environmental geosciences is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). 

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

When applying for admission to the program, an applicant must specify either Plan A or Plan B.

Academic record, letters of recommendation, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are considered in admission decisions.

For regular admission to the master's degree program in environmental geosciences under Plan A, the student must have:

1. A bachelor's degree in a physical or biological science or in engineering from a recognized educational institution.
2. Completed the courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics that are required for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in geological sciences at Michigan State University, or equivalent courses.
3. At least 12 credits in geological sciences courses.
4. A grade–point average of at least 3.00.
5. Satisfactory scores on the GRE General Test.

Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who has not completed the course work referenced in items 2. and 3. above.  Deficiencies must be removed by completing collateral courses. 

For regular admission to the master's degree program in environmental geosciences under Plan B, the student must have:

1. Completed a Master of Science degree in the geosciences for which a thesis was required.
2. A grade–point average of at least 3.00.
3. Satisfactory scores on the GRE General Test.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Environmental Geosciences

A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under either Plan A or Plan B.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's guidance committee.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

A student who completed any course listed in the Tier I requirements or in the Tier II requirement prior to enrollment in the program must substitute another course approved by the student's guidance committee.

A  given course may be used to satisfy either the Tier I requirements or the Tier II requirement, but not both of those requirements.

Additional Requirements for Plan A

1. Tier III requirement:
   Seven to 13 credits in courses approved by the student's guidance committee.
2. Tier IV requirement:
   Four to 7 credits in GLG 899 Master's Thesis Research.  The research area may focus on any topic that may have applications to solving problems related to the environment.  The student must include in the thesis proposal a paragraph that addresses the environmental applications of the thesis topic selected.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

1. Tier III requirement:
   Thirteen to 16 credits in courses approved by the student's guidance committee.
2. Tier IV requirement:
   One credit of GLG 898  Special Problems in Environmental Geosciences.  The student must complete a research paper or project while enrolled in Geological Sciences 898.  The topic of the paper or project must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the student's academic advisor.

The core of the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in earth and environmental sciences is independent research.  Course requirements are designed to support the student's professional goals.  Commonly, research programs are pursued within the specialty of the staff.  However, innovative research is encouraged in any area of environmental sciences.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students holding bachelor's or master's degrees may be admitted to the doctoral program in earth and environmental sciences on the basis of their performance during the previous two years of academic work. Satisfactory scores on the GRE General Test are required.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences

The program of study is determined by mutual agreement between the student and the guidance committee. The student must complete, or have completed prior to admission, 9 credits of course work in earth and environmental sciences and at least 3 credits in 800-level course work. Students must also complete 24 credits of doctoral dissertation research by enrollment in GLG 999.

The required comprehensive examination involves both an oral and a written portion and covers the area of the student's research specialty, those areas that interface with that specialty, and the significance of the proposed research program.  Students who are admitted to the doctoral program with master's degrees must pass the comprehensive examination during the second year of enrollment in the program.  Students who are admitted to the doctoral program with bachelor's degrees must pass the comprehensive examination during the third year of enrollment in the program.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Academic record, letters of recommendation, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are considered in admission decisions.  For regular admission, the student must have:

1. A bachelor's degree in a physical or biological science or in mathematics from a recognized educational institution.
2. Completed the courses in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and geological sciences that are required for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in geological sciences at Michigan State University, or equivalent courses.
3. A grade–point average of at least 3.00.
4. Satisfactory scores on the GRE General Test.

Depending on the proposed area of specialization, provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who has not completed the courses referenced in item 2. above. Deficiencies must be removed by completing collateral courses before a thesis proposal will be accepted.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Geological Sciences

The student must complete a total of 30 credits for the degree under Plan A (with thesis).  Of the 30 credits, no more than 7 credits may be in Geological Sciences 899.

The core of the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in geological sciences is independent research. Course requirements are designed to support the student's professional goals. Commonly, research programs are pursued within the specialty of the staff. However, innovative research is encouraged in any area of geological sciences.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students holding bachelor's or master's degrees may be admitted to the doctoral program in geological sciences on the basis of their performance during the previous two years of academic work.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geological Sciences

The program of study is determined by mutual agreement between the student and the guidance committee.

The required comprehensive examination involves both an oral and a written portion and covers the area of the student's research specialty, those areas that interface with that specialty, and the significance of the proposed research program.  Students who are admitted to the doctoral program with master's degrees must pass the comprehensive examination during the second year of enrollment in the program.  Students who are admitted to the doctoral program with bachelor's degrees must pass the comprehensive examination during the third year of enrollment in the program.