Masters in Geological Science in USA

The Master of Science (MS) in Geosciences degree program prepares students for a wide variety of careers in sustainable earth sciences, clean energy, critical minerals, groundwater, environmental, and other sectors of industry, government and academia. Developed by internationally renowned faculty at the University of Texas at Dallas, the curriculum immerses students in geophysics, geology, hydrology, net-zero fossil and renewable energy, tectonics, earthquakes, structure, sedimentology, remote sensing and GIS, and teaches students about the composition, structure, history and physical properties of the earth and its natural systems.

The Geosciences program introduces students to research opportunities and a high-tech infrastructure and prepares them for future success in energy and environmental sectors, university research labs and local, national and international governmental organizations.

The Department of Geological Sciences focuses on advancing our understanding of earth and applying that knowledge to problems of societal importance. Our faculty members apply interdisciplinary approaches to three main themes: (1) climate change, (2) geohazards, volcanology and geodynamics, and (3) water and environment. Graduate studies are aimed at preparing students for careers in the private sector, government research organizations and in academia. Students receive specialized training in their selected focus areas but also are exposed to the full breadth of the department's expertise in order to provide balance and career flexibility.

Students in Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Geoscience program apply physics and chemistry to study Earth processes from the surface to the core. These studies prepare our graduates for diverse careers in government, industry, consulting and academia.

The University's geoscience facilities include a network of seismograph stations surrounding the New Madrid fault zone; excellent computing facilities; an environmental geochemistry lab with instrumentation to analyze the chemistries of waters, soils and sediments; a remote sensing lab; and a digital image analysis lab. 

Extensive research is conducted at the Saint Louis University Earthquake Center and the Seismic Analysis and Remote Sensing Laboratories.

As the core discipline examining Earth’s natural processes and materials, Geosciences boasts unparalleled diversity. Spurred by urgent scientific and social questions, ranging from environmental concerns to the origin and evolution of the planet itself, the Geosciences are experiencing remarkable growth, with excellent career opportunities. The Geosciences encompass many disciplines including geology, geochemistry, and geophysics, and its interdisciplinary nature fosters natural links not only with chemistry and physics, but also with environmental science, materials science, engineering, biology, and health fields. Developments in technology and new innovative approaches have transformed graduate study in many areas within Geosciences, and students participate in research utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation and facilities.           

Graduate students may choose among degree programs with emphasis in different areas in Geosciences. Ph.D. and M.S. thesis-based programs are offered with concentrations in areas including seismology and tectonics, mineral and rock physics, crystal chemistry, geochemistry, petrology, sedimentary geology, planetary geosciences, and hydrogeology (described in more detail below). Also offered is an M.A. in Teaching Earth Science, which leads to provisional certification for teaching earth science in secondary schools of New York State.

Graduates in geoscience have broad backgrounds in Earth sciences or geography. There are concentrations available in geology and geography, and requirements are flexible enough to allow students to customize the curriculum.

There are about 40 professional geoscientists in residence on campus, and graduate students normally participate in the ongoing research of these professionals. Teaching and research assistantships are available to graduate students in many of these areas.

The Master of Science in geology is a unique program that allows students to further develop their scientific knowledge and skills. Students choose a specific area of focus to design and conduct quality research, which leads to travel, networking opportunities and preparation for a rewarding career.

Can you picture yourself roaming the Alaskan wilderness looking for new sources of gold, copper, and other economic minerals? Are you interested in investigating and helping to solve the environmental problems associated with exploiting hydrocarbon energy resources using state-of-the-art procedures such as fracking and horizontal drilling? Would you like to help communities develop new groundwater supplies?

The emphasis of the 30-semester-hour MS program in geology is in coastal geology, environmental geology, hydrogeology, and solid Earth geology. It attracts students, in part, due to the location near North Carolina's coastal system that includes extensive barrier islands and the second largest estuarine system in the United States. However, because our civilization is based upon acquisition and wise development of natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals, increased emphasis has recently been placed on these sub-disciplines.

Students in the program conduct research that contributes to the discovery and proper management of these resources and are encouraged to take advantage of state-of-the art laboratories, analytical equipment (X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, ICAPES), field equipment, and research vessels enabling pursuit of a wide variety of projects. The department teaches and trains students in areas of great societal and global significance, such as environmental geology, economic geology, hydrogeology, climate change, structural geology, and petroleum geology. The importance of geology to the nation's future is reflected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate of an 18-percent job growth for earth scientists from 2008 to 2018.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) answers the “what” and “where”. Whereas, Geographic Information Science (GISc or GIScience) is concerned with the “how”. GISc encompasses all aspects of GIS such as remote sensing, surveying, mathematics, programming and geography. But, GISc takes GIS a step further by conceptualizing how to store spatial information and analyze data.

UND's online graduate certificate program in Geographic Information Sciences is designed for working professionals. You'll develop a solid theoretical foundation in GISc and the technical skills needed to digitally model landscapes and enable the mathematical characterization of spatial and temporal processes.

This online program emphasizes the development of graduate-level GISc professionals who are highly qualified to work in:

• Education
• Government
• Private industry

Geospatial intelligence informs and influences policy, military, diplomatic, environmental and disaster relief and recovery decisions, and operations by governments at every level. Increasingly, in non-governmental sectors, it is informing and influencing public health, business, infrastructure, energy, regulatory, and advocacy decisions.

The Geospatial Intelligence Program unites three fields of study: the history of geospatial intelligence; the science and mathematics of digital geography and its related databases; and the art of converting geospatial data into written, spoken, and visual intelligence. Students analyze historical intelligence examples to understand the development of the concepts and practices behind collection, analysis, reporting, and technology. They also will focus on current challenges in the profession, among them the analytics and technology needed for the volume of current and future collection, the challenges of new sensors, and the development of new non-governmental geospatial communities.

The master of science in geo-information science is a multi-disciplinary program of advanced study of geospatial technology and its applications whose purpose is to develop geospatial professionals that are proficient in the acquisition, analysis, use, and management of spatial information. GIS and related geospatial technologies, such as remote sensing from satellites and aircraft, are integral to a variety of applications, including mapping and surveying, environmental analysis and natural resource management, transportation and urban planning, business planning, crime analysis, and disaster management, to name only a few areas. An integrated and applied curriculum provides practical, real-world training in the utilization of leading geospatial technologies for research, planning, spatial data management, and project implementation.

The geological engineering program at Missouri University of Science and Technology offers an on-line masters of engineering degree in geotechnics. This web-based degree is designed for working professionals, whose upward mobility requires an advanced degree, but who do not wish to take an extended leave of absence to physically attend college. The program is an interdisciplinary master’s degree program without a required research component. Courses in geological, civil, and mining engineering can be applied to the degree. The program is offered using distance-education methods and therefore there is no formal residency requirement.

The Master of Science in Geology is designed to provide strong preparation in geological sciences, focused directly on geological study and research. The program is designed so that it can potentially be completed in two years of full-time work. This program is intended for students who wish to pursue graduate level work as a prelude for doctoral studies, or as professional preparation for careers in geological fields.

Students in the Master of Science program can follow the "standard" (or thesis) option or the "applied geology" (or non-thesis) option. The non-thesis option is intended as a terminal degree for students preparing for professional work in environmental and engineering geology or in applied geophysics and who have already been admitted to the program. We do not currently accept new students for the non-thesis master's degree. Admitted students must declare their intent to pursue the non-thesis option at least one semester prior to completing degree requirements.

The M.S. degree in geoscience is regarded by most hiring agencies as the working degree. The master's program in geoscience prepares students for employment in industry or for doctoral study.