Geoscience, M.S.

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Andrea Hawkes

The Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in geoscience. The primary goal of the program is the development of professionals capable of conducting research and applied work in the geosciences through the broad study of modern and ancient Earth and ocean processes as well as human-environment interactions. The program includes thesis and portfolio options, both of which provide a foundation for advanced study or employment in the geological, geospatial technology, oceanographic and environmental fields, as well as the mineral and energy industries and government agencies. Specific goals of the program are to provide advanced research and education opportunities in the geosciences, and to prepare geoscientists for solving contemporary geoscience problems. Specific objectives are: 1) to develop competence in the geosciences through advanced course work and research; 2) to develop professional competence in the assessment of geoscience problems through the integrated analysis of geological, oceanographic, and geographical data using advanced technologies; 3) to develop a level of research competence in the geosciences that encourages continued effort towards an advanced (e.g., doctoral) degree, professional licensure, or employment as a geoscientist; and, 4) to provide the scientific community with meaningful geologic, geographic, and oceanographic data. The Department offers teaching assistantships on a competitive basis. The majority of students awarded assistantships also receive out-of-state tuition remissions. To be considered for assistantship funding applications should be submitted prior to January 31st (midnight EST). Assistantship funds for students entering the program in the spring semester are rarely available.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program in geoscience:

Should have a strong overall academic record with a “B” or better average on all course work prerequisite to geoscience.
Must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a discipline appropriate to advanced study in the geosciences.
Upon entrance into the master’s program, the student’s advisor may identify deficiencies and recommend remedies. All deficiencies must be removed before a student is accepted as a candidate for the degree.

Applicants are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

An online application for graduate admission; including the statement of interest.
Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields.
Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of six credit hours of graduate credit may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution. All transfer credit must be approved by the department or program. Grades earned on transfer work must be equivalent to “B” or better.

Degree Requirements

The MS Geoscience program requires satisfactory completion of core requirements and a concentration in either: 1) geology, 2) geospatial science or 3) earth processes and global change. Students may pursue the thesis option (30 credit hours) in any concentration or portfolio option (30 credit hours) in the geology or geospatial science concentrations. Students may not take more than 6 credit hours of GEO 591 - Directed Independent Study . A minimum of 24 graduate credit hours must be taken at UNCW.

Core Requirements (15-16 credits)

Students are required to take GEO 501 - Research Methods in Geoscience and GEO 502 - Technical Communication in Geoscience .
Students are required to take 1 course (3 to 4 credits each) from each of the three thematic areas:

Earth Processes and Global Change:
GLY 520 - Global Climate Change Credit Hours: 3
GLY 526 - Geohydrology Credit Hours: 3
GLY 539 - Paleoclimatology Credit Hours: 3
GLY 553 - Ocean Technology Credit Hours: 2
GLY 573 - Isotope Geochemistry Credit Hours: 3
GLY 575 - Marine Biogeochemistry Credit Hours: 3
GLY 585 - Relative Sea Level Credit Hours: 3
Geology:
GLY 510 - Sedimentary Environments Credit Hours: 3
GLY 540 - Regional Geology of North America Credit Hours: 3
GLY 543 - Tectonics Credit Hours: 3
GLY 550 - Marine Geology Credit Hours: 3
GLY 565 - Introduction to Geophysics Credit Hours: 3
GLY 593 - Advanced Topics in Geology Credit Hours: 1 To 3
Geospatial Science:
GGY 520 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems Credit Hours: 3
GGY 521 - Spatial Programming Credit Hours: 3
GGY 522 - Remote Sensing in Environmental Analysis Credit Hours: 3
GGY 523 - GIS Modeling Credit Hours: 3
GGY 524 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems Credit Hours: 3
GGY 526 - Environmental Geographic Information Systems Credit Hours: 3
GGY 528 - Advanced Remote Sensing Credit Hours: 3
GGY 529 - Aerial Drone Applications in Geosciences Credit Hours: 3
GGY 593 - Advanced Topics in Geospatial Science Credit Hours: 1 To 3
GLY 551 - Seafloor Mapping Credit Hours: 4

Thesis Option (14-15 credit hours)

Each student must write a thesis prospectus that is approved and signed by the student’s advisor and thesis committee.
Each student must successfully pass a comprehensive oral examination.
Each student is required to complete a minimum of three, but no more than six credit hours of Thesis (GEO 599 ).
Each student must complete, present and defend a thesis, based on original research, acceptable to the committee, prior to graduation. The thesis presentation is open to the public.
A total of three credit hours of GEO 598 and GGY 594 can be taken
A total of nine credit hours of GEO 591 , GEO 598 , and GGY 594 can be taken.

Thesis Concentration Requirements

Geology Concentration - Thesis Option

In addition to completing the requirements listed above for the thesis option, students must complete:

Nine graduate credit hours of geology courses (GLY prefix)
Additional graduate credit hours of GEO, GGY, GLY or other courses approved by the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator.

Geospatial Science Concentration - Thesis Option

In addition to completing the requirements listed above for the thesis option, students must complete:

Nine graduate credit hours of Geospatial courses from the Geospatial Core list above.
Additional graduate credit hours of GEO, GGY, GLY or other courses approved by the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator.

Earth Processes and Global Change Concentration - Thesis Option

In addition to completing the requirements listed above for the thesis option, students must complete:

14-15 graduate credit hours of GEO, GGY, or GLY courses.
Additional graduate credit hours approved by the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator.

Portfolio Option (14-15 credit hours)

Each student must complete three credit hours of GEO 597 (Final Project), which includes an approved project proposal by the advisor and portfolio committee.
An additional three to six credits of internship (GEO 598 ) may be applied to the degree, as electives, with approval of the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator.
Each student must pass a written comprehensive examination after the successful completion of all required coursework with the exception of GEO 597 .
Each student must prepare and present a degree portfolio documenting the completion of GEO 597 .
A total of three credit hours of GGY 594 can be applied. A total of nine hours of GEO 591 , GEO 598 , and GGY 594 can be applied.

Portfolio Concentration Requirements

Geology Concentration - Portfolio Option

In addition to completing the requirements for the portfolio option listed above, students must complete:

Nine additional credits of GLY courses.
Additional graduate credit hours of GEO, GGY, GLY or other courses approved by the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator.

Geospatial Science Concentration - Portfolio Option

In addition to completing the requirements for the portfolio option listed above, students must complete:

Nine additional graduate credit hours of the Geospatial Core listed above.
Additional graduate credit hours of GEO, GGY, GLY or other courses approved by the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator.