This program is administered by the Office of Graduate Studies through the Department of Geosciences, College of Arts and Sciences.
Admission Requirements
Regular graduate admission standards apply. In addition, students are expected to have completed a standard undergraduate curriculum that includes the courses required for an undergraduate degree in geology at UT Permian Basin, as set forth in the Undergraduate Catalog. Students who lack any of these courses are required to complete them before starting any graduate-level course work.
Regular Admission
- Bachelor's Degree in geosciences or closely related field from an accredited college or university.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for all undergraduate work, no exceptions. (The overall GPA for international transcripts will be converted and reviewed by graduate program head.)
- One-page statement of interests in graduate education in the geosciences and related interdisciplinary fields.
- Two letters of recommendation from the applicant's most recent academic advisor, professor, or current supervisor at their place of employment.
Conditional Admission
- Bachelor's Degree in geosciences or related field from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 - 2.75 or a 3.0 - 2.75 in the last 60 credit hours (The overall GPA for international transcripts will be converted and reviewed by graduate program head.)
- One-page statement of interests in graduate education in the geosciences or related interdisciplinary fields.
- Two letters of recommendation, one letter from the applicants most recent academic advisor, and one letter from the applicant's supervisor at their current place of employment.
- At least one year of work experience in the geosciences or the related interdisciplinary field they are interested in pursuing.
- In rare circumstances, an applicant with GPA below 2.75 may be considered if they have substantial work experience (three or more years) in the geosciences or the related interdisciplinary field they are interested in pursuing.
- Other evidence deemed appropriate by the graduate program head.
Options
The program leading to a Master of Science degree in Geology requires a minimum of 30 sch, of graduate level courses in geology. The curriculum of courses selected by each student, in consultation with the graduate faculty, will be chosen to enable them to develop their professional interests and achieve their career goals. In the first semester the student selects an advisor, who together with the student will choose a graduate committee in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate Studies Office. The student should also decide, with the approval of the graduate committee, the proposed option for their MS degree.
The Thesis Option requires 6 semester credit hours of original research resulting in a thesis. The completed thesis must be acceptable to the candidate's graduate committee and written in an acceptable style such as the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Suggestions to Authors. The thesis must also conform to rules established by the Graduate Studies Office at UT Permian Basin. After final approval of the thesis by the graduate committee, the student must present a seminar on the thesis and defend its conclusions orally to the general faculty and representatives of the Graduate Studies Office. Copies of the approval thesis must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office before the degree is conferred. A Thesis student may transfer to the Non-Thesis option provided that they fulfill all the requirements needed for that option.
The Non-Thesis Option, students electing this option need to complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of graduate level courses in geosciences. A Non-Thesis student may transfer to the Thesis option provided that they fulfill all the requirements needed for that option.
GIS and Geospatial Certificate, MS
GIS (Geosciences Information System) and Geospatial Certificate of MS in Geoscience is designed for educating students to gain the skills and expertise in the field of GIS and geospatial technology. The GIS and geospatial certificate can be completed online. To complete this GIS and geospatial certificate, the student must take the following four required courses in the Geoscience program.
Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)
The Geology Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) allows academically qualified students to complete their bachelor's and master's degrees in an accelerated timeline, graduating sooner than in traditional separate consecutive programs. Qualified undergraduate students will be able to complete a portion of the required graduate coursework for the geology master's degree while studying for their geology bachelor's degree. Upon completion of all undergraduate degree requirements, the student is admitted to the geology graduate program, where the remaining master's degree requirements will be fulfilled.
Geology AMP Requirements
(In addition to general AMP requirements)
- Before joining the program, students must meet with both their undergraduate advisor and graduate program head to determine their eligibility and discuss their options.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 and 3.25 in undergraduate major.
- A minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 must be maintained for continuation in the program.
- Students must discuss their options with their undergraduate advisor and AMP coordinator before enrolling in classes each semester. Final decision on which courses to take and how many hours to complete each semester will be determined with the student's academic advisors based on factors like transfer credit, academic history, courses offered, etc.
Geology AMP Withdrawal and Dismissal Policies
(In addition to general AMP withdrawal and dismissal policies)