Master of Science [M.S] [Geoscience] From University of Iowa

Students and faculty of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences study the Earth’s interior, surface, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere in real and deep time using modern observational, analytical, and computational methods. Our curriculum provides students with hands-on experience studying earth materials, often in a small classroom, laboratory, and field settings. We provide the academic foundation for graduate education, and a variety of employment opportunities including resource and environmental corporations, educational organizations, and government agencies.

M.S. thesis students are responsible for obtaining their advisory committee’s approval of a suitable program of course work and for satisfactory development of research plans as outlined in a thesis proposal, which should be completed and approved by the department chair before the end of the second semester of full-time study. Thesis students must deliver a half-hour public presentation of their thesis, followed by an oral defense. M.S. students are also required to present their research at a local, regional, national, or international meeting approved by the DEO before graduating from the program

Individuals interested in pursuing the M.S. without thesis must obtain the department chair’s permission. The program is designed for students with extensive geological background and experience. Requirements for the nonthesis option are similar to those for the M.S. with thesis, except that in place of the thesis, nonthesis students submit a manuscript that their thesis committee deems acceptable for submission for publication. The student may choose to submit a previously published manuscript. Nonthesis students also must take a final examination that covers course work and the work done in place of the thesis.