Geology Concentration

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The M.S. degree program with a Geology concentration offers a broad range of courses that prepare students for research and professional careers. Research efforts in either thesis or capstone projects are in the following broad areas: geochemistry (analytical, aqueous, environmental, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary), mineralogy, hydrogeology, petrology, sedimentology, structural geology, and geoinformatics. Students that pursue the Geology concentration find employment in environmental consulting, mining and energy resource industries, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and related opportunities that utilize foundational skills and knowledge in geology. Thirty-six hours are required for completion of this degree. Further information is provided at geosciences.gsu.edu.

Concentration Requirements

Thesis Track (Minimum of 36 Hours)

Group I: Department Requirements (16 Hours)

Take all courses from Group I:

GEOS 8002 - Geoscience Research Methods 3 Hours
GEOS 6095 - Colloquium in the Geosciences 1 Hours
GEOS 8999 - Thesis Research 1 to 9 Hours (only 9 hours can count towards the 36 hour program of study)
Three additional semester hours coursework at the 8000 level 3 Hours
Proficiency in a world language or an approved research skill - requirement can be fulfilled by taking an approved course or by taking an examination.
Successfully defend thesis in public presentation

Group II: Core Required Geology Courses (6 Hours)

Take one course from geochemistry sequence and one from either instrumentation or water sequence:

GEOS 6003 - Principles and Applications of Environmental Geochemistry 3 Hours
or
GEOS 6004 - Advanced Environmental Geochemistry 3 Hours
GEOS 6042 - Environmental Instrumentations I: Aqueous Media 4 Hours
or
GEOS 6043 - Environmental Analytical Methods and Instrumentations 2: Solid Media 4 Hours
GEOS 6010 - Groundwater hydrology 3 Hours
or
GEOS 6002 - Hydrogeology 4 Hours

Elective Geology Courses (Minimum 9 Hours)

Any course from Group II above not already taken
GEOS 6000 - Advanced Topics in Physical and Historical Geology 3 Hours
GEOS 6005 - Geology of Georgia 3 Hours
GEOS 6006 - Sedimentary Environments and Stratigraphy 4 Hours
GEOS 6008 - Rock Fracture and Fluid Flow 3 Hours
GEOS 6009 - Applications of Chemical Tracers in Hydrology 3 Hours
GEOS 6011 - Principles of Paleontology 4 Hours
GEOS 6013 - Structural Geology 4 Hours
GEOS 6097 - Topics in Geographical Sciences 1 to 3 Hours
GEOS 6120 - Basic Field Geology 4 Hours
GEOS 6121 - Advanced Field Geology 4 Hours
GEOS 8001 - Nanominerals in Geochemical Environments 4 Hours
GEOS 8002 - Geoscience Research Methods 3 Hours
GEOS 8097 - Directed Study in Geology 1 to 15 Hours
Other Geology-related elective courses in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Related Geosciences Skills Courses (Minimum 6 Hours)

GEOS 6518 - Digital Cartography 3 Hours
GEOS 6530 - Introduction to Remote Sensing 4 Hours
GEOS 6532 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4 Hours
GEOS 6534 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems 4 Hours
GEOS 6123 - Geoinformatics 3 Hours
GEOS 6520 - Quantitative Spatial Analysis 3 Hours (Or approved statistics substitute)

Remaining Courses Taken in Consultation with the Student’s Advisor.

Capstone Track

All above requirements, except GEOS 8999 and thesis defense under section 1.
An additional 6 (or more) credits of GEOS graduate courses
Pass a written comprehensive examination
GEOS 8990 - Research Practicum 3 Hours
Successfully present the capstone project carried out in GEOS 8990