Graduate Degrees

Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Geology and Geophysics

Our graduate program features advanced coursework coupled with cutting-edge research.

The master’s degree can be earned with a thesis or a non-thesis option. The Ph.D. requires a detailed dissertation and publication of original works.

Research emphasis areas at the graduate level include the following:

  • Aqueous and environmental geochemistry and water resources
  • Economic geology and petrology
  • Geophysics, tectonics and geodynamics
  • Sedimentology, stratigraphy limnology, and paleoclimatology
  • Paylonology and micropaleontology
  • Petroleum systems

For more information, check out the university catalog:

Graduate Degree in Geology and Geophysics

The master of science degree with thesis requires a minimum of thirty hours of graduate credit. The plan of study (Form 1/1-A) must include a minimum of eighteen credit hours of 4000-, 5000-, and 6000-level lecture courses (1000/2000-level courses cannot be included).   A minimum of six credit hours of the required coursework must come from the group of 6000-level lecture courses. Additionally, a minimum of six credit hours of graduate research is required. If a student has co-advisors in different departments, the student’s graduate research credit may be shared by all departments involved.

All Geology and Geophysics MS students are required to take the Professional Geosciences Skills course (GEOLOGY 5100) and either Advanced Physical Geology (GEOLOGY 5111) or Global Tectonics (GEOPHYS 5096). For students whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 79 TOEFL, or a minimum of 53 PTE, or a minimum of 6.5 IELTS is required for admission. GRE scores are not required.

View Course Catalog

General Information

The non-thesis Master of Science program in Geology and Geophysics at Missouri University of Science and Technology offers a flexible curriculum designed to provide students with advanced knowledge in theoretical and applied earth sciences. The program emphasizes key areas such as low-temperature and environmental geochemistry, mineralogy and petrology, geophysics and seismology, structural geology and tectonics, paleontology and sedimentology, GIS and remote sensing, and mineral and hydrocarbon exploration.

The program is offered in-person, with some courses potentially available online, providing flexibility for working professionals. Graduates of this program are well-equipped for careers in the private sector and government agencies, addressing essential challenges such as critical mineral exploration, environmental protection, mitigating the impacts of global climate change, and predicting and addressing natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  Enrolling in this program provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, expert faculty, and strong industry connections, making it an excellent choice for aspiring geoscientists.

Geology and Geophysics is one of three programs in the Earth Sciences and Engineering Department at Missouri S&T, comprising one natural science degree program (Geology and Geophysics) and two engineering programs (Geological Engineering and Petroleum Engineering). Students in all three programs benefit from interdisciplinary education that spans both science and engineering domains, enhancing their skill sets and marketability in diverse industries, including energy, mining, and environmental consulting.

Admission Requirements

  • BS or BA degree in an earth or physical science
  • GPA: 3.0 for regular admission and 2.75 for probationary admission
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts required
  • English proficiency test score requirements (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo)

(international students only)

  • Other requirements: Resume/CV, Statement of Purpose

Program Requirements

  • Total number of credit hours of lecture courses: 30
  • Minimum number of hours of geology or geophysics courses: 21 (listed below)
  • Minimum number of hours of 6xxx courses: 9, at least 6 credit hours of which are geology or geophysics courses. No credit hours of graduate research may be applied toward the plan of study.
Required Core Courses (6 credit hours):
  • GEOLOGY 5100: Professional Geoscience Skills (LEC 3.0, offered every spring)
  • GEOPHYSICS 5096, GEOLOGY 6331, or GEOLOGY 5111: Global Tectonics, Geotectonics, Advanced Physical Geology (LEC 3.0, offered every spring (5096/6331) or fall (5111)
Elective Courses (Select a minimum of 15 credit hours from the following courses; The list below includes the most frequently offered ones. Additional courses can be found from the official university catalogs):
  • GEOLOGY 5111 (if Geophysics 5096/Geology 6331 is taken as the core course): Advanced Physical Geology (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
  • GEOLOGY 5121: Advanced Historical Geology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 5311: Depositional Systems (LEC 3.0, offered spring of odd-numbered years)
  • GEOLOGY 5513: Petroleum Geology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every fall)
  • GEOLOGY 5611: Granites and Rhyolites (LAB 1.0 and LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 5641: Advanced Igneous Petrology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 5661: Advanced Stratigraphy and Basin Evolution (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
  • GEOLOGY 6211: Geodynamics (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 6311: Advanced Structural Geology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 6331 (if GEOLOGY 5111 is taken as a core course): Geotechtonics (LEC 3.0, offered every spring)
  • GEOLOGY 6341: Advanced Remote Sensing and Image Processing (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every summer)
  • GEOLOGY 6511: Advanced Petroleum Geology (LAB 2.0 and LEC 1.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 6551: Global Tectonics and Metallogeny (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 6611: Advanced Palynology (LAB 2.0 and LEC 1.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 6621: Clastic Sedimentary Petrology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOLOGY 6711: Advanced Paleoclimatology and Paleoecology (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
  • GEOLOGY 6811: Sedimentary Basin Analysis (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
  • GEOPHYS 5202: Exploration and Development Seismology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every spring)
  • GEOPHYS 5211: Seismic Stratigraphy (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOPHYS 5231: Seismic Data Processing (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOPHYS 5261: Computational Geophysics (LAB 2.0 and LEC 1.0, offered occasionally in fall)
  • GEOPHYS 5736: Geophysical Field Methods (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every fall)
  • GEOPHYS 5761: Transportation Applications of Geophysics (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOPHYS 5782: Environmental and Engineering Geophysics (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every spring)
  • GEOPHYS 6211: Advanced Seismic Interpretation (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every fall)
  • GEOPHYS 6221: Advanced Geophysical Data Analysis (LEC 3.0, offered every summer)
  • GEOPHYS 6231: Advanced Seismic Data Processing (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOPHYS 6241: The Theory of Elastic Waves (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEOPHYS 6251: Geophysical Inverse Theory (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)

Other 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx courses as approved by the advisor.

Course Availability

A full list of course availability and timing can be found here: https://cec.mst.edu/academics/course-availability/

Please note: During the semester a student will have completed nine hours of graduate credit, the student must formally plan the remainder of their graduate program in consultation with their academic advisor, and submit a Form 1 for approval, first to the department chair and then to the vice provost of graduate education.

Research

Our program has a wealth of equipment and instrumentation for research in geology, geochemistry and geophysics. In addition to our own facilities, we have a large collection of cutting-edge facilities in centers such as the Materials Research Center and the Center for Research in Energy and Environment.  
Research Areas
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Facilities and Instrumentation
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SECURING AN ADVISOR

There are two options in the master's program (thesis option and non-thesis option). The non-thesis option requires coursework only, while the thesis option requires a thesis with your research advisor with less coursework.

Both options are equally considered for admission without preference or priority. For the thesis option, the procedure of how to secure an advisor and seek his or her confirmation is the same as that of Ph.D. (see Doctoral Degree below).

The most important thing for Ph.D. admission is to secure your tentative advisor prior to applying. You can do this by viewing the department's faculty directory* to review each faculty member's research areas and identify your potential Ph.D. advisor. Contact the faculty member by email with your portfolio (CV, transcript, and publication(s)) and a detailed description of what interests you about that faculty’s research. Since faculty receive many emails from prospective students, emails identifying specific topics of interest rather than generic emails are most likely to be answered.

Once you find a potential advisor, specify that you would like to work with that faculty member in your Statement of Purpose in your application. Please note that a faculty member’s interest to potentially serve as your advisor does not mean you’ll automatically be offered financial assistantship. You need to ask the advisor about the availability of assistantships.

*Look for Petroleum Engineering next to the faculty's name to find those in our program.

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FUNDING

There are two major mechanisms of assistantship for graduate students in G&G: Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA). Students can be appointed as GRA or GTA by any rate up to 50% FTE (Full-Time Equivalent), which is the maximum part-time employment rate for students. The monthly wage for 50% FTE is approximately $2,000, which is proportional to the % FTE (e.g. $400 for 10% FTE). Additionally, if students have out-of-state tuition, this is waived if offered at least a 25% FTE or higher.

Graduate degree funding

We value our graduate students. In our commitment to your education, we've put together several funding opportunities to help make your degree an excellent return on investment. Take a look at what we have to offer.
Apply to S&T
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