The Master of Science in Applied Geosciences is an advanced, postgraduate degree that prepares students for careers in private industry, government, or teaching in community colleges, or for continuing postgraduate studies leading to a doctoral degree at another university. The graduate program also provides an opportunity for practicing geoscientists to update and upgrade their disciplinary knowledge and skills. There are no formal concentrations within the program, but students choose an area of research from within the fields of the geologic, atmospheric, or oceanographic sciences. During the application process, students must select a course of study, in consultation with the graduate coordinator.
The Geosciences Department includes faculty with expertise in geology, meteorology, and oceanographyÑfields that are critical to understanding many environmental problems, such as air and water contamination, coastal erosion, and climate change. A major focus of the graduate program is study of the environment of the San Francisco Bay area. Courses are offered in sedimentology and stratigraphy, landscape evolution, active tectonics, quaternary geology, hydrogeology, groundwater contamination, engineering geology, coastal oceanography, and applied meteorology with a coastal emphasis. The program requires that all students complete three core courses. One of these (GEOL/METR 700) is a multidisciplinary seminar that exposes students to current geoscientific research and literature. The other two core courses (GEOL/METR 701 and 702) provide students with skills for thesis research and writing. The program emphasizes a rigorous grounding in the sciences and, particularly in geology, extensive laboratory and field work.
To be considered for admission to the master's program as a classified graduate student, applicants must:
Letters of recommendation and statement of purpose should be submitted directly to the appropriate graduate coordinator in the Department of Geosciences. Other materials should be submitted to the Graduate Studies Division of the university. Materials should be submitted by March 1 for admission the following fall semester and by October 1 for the following spring semester.
Applicants lacking the appropriate background (i.e., a degree in one of the geosciences) may be admitted as conditionally classified graduate students. These students must complete additional course work that will not be counted toward the graduate requirements. Conditionally admitted students may take courses but cannot file a Graduate Approved Program until any deficiencies have been satisfied.
Each graduate student is required to demonstrate an acceptable level of written English proficiency on two levels:
Level One: satisfied by demonstrating adequate writing skills in GEOL/METR 701. If remedial work is necessary, the student will be expected to complete additional course work in English. Level Two: satisfied by completion of a written thesis (GEOL or METR 898).
To be advanced to candidacy, each student must:
|
Courses |
Units |
|
|
GEOL/METR 700 |
Research Methods in Applied Geosciences (1) |
|
|
GEOL/METR 701 |
Seminar in Applied Geosciences |
|
|
GEOL/METR 702 |
Quantitative Methods in Applied Geosciences |
|
|
GEOL 897 |
Research Project (6) |
|
|
GEOL 898 |
Master's Thesis |
|
|
Upper division or graduate elective courses on advisement |
14 |
|
|
Minimum total |
30 |
|
All students must present an oral thesis defense
Elective units are chosen from courses offered by the Department of Geosciences or other university departments, and must be selected by students in consultation with their faculty advisers. At least six of these units must be courses numbered 700 or higher, and at least six must be courses offered in the Geosciences Department.
Some students may choose, with their thesis advisers' approval, to complete thesis research under the auspices of a local governmental agency or geoscientific or environmental firm. Those who choose this option must still complete all the requirements for a thesis, but do so in the context of an internship relationship with an outside agency.
Students can receive their graduate degree when they complete all course requirements and the thesis committee approves the written thesis and oral thesis defense.