Dec 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Geosciences, M.S., Water Sciences Concentration


A strong demand exists in public and private sectors for understanding of aquatic systems, hydrological processes, and water resources. The M.S. degree program with a Water Sciences concentration is designed to provide students with expertise in the quality, quantity, storage, and flow of water in diverse environments; techniques to assess, model, and remediate aquatic environmental problems; and paradigms for understanding the social contexts and implications of water governance. Thesis research and capstone projects with faculty are carried out in the following broad areas: aqueous geochemistry, hydrogeology, watershed hydrology, water resources, ecohydrology, urban hydrology, water governance, meteorology, and applied climatology. Thirty-six hours are required for completion of this degree. Further information is provided at geosciences.gsu.edu.

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 Credit Hours)


Group I: Department Requirements (16 Hours)


Take all courses from Group I:

Group II: Core Required Water Sciences Courses (6 Hours)


Select two courses from Group II:

Group IV: Related Geoscience Skills Courses (Minimum 6 Hours)


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
  • GEOS 8990   - Capstone Practicum 3 Credit Hours 
  • Successfully present the capstone project and pass written comprehensive exam carried out in GEOS 8990

Graduate Assistants


Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours each for the fall/spring semesters and 9 credit hours for the summer semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional directed study, teaching practicum, and graduate research hours of GEOS 8999, GEOS 8989, GEOS 8097, GEOS 8060, and GEOS 8055.

International Students


In order to maintain legal immigration status, international students are required to register for no less than 9 graduate credit hours per semester, of which only 3 credit hours can be online courses.