MS
Geology
Application Deadline
Contact Information
Admission Requirements
Required Test
GRE
Additional Requirements
3.0 overall GPA in all physical science courses
Upload a list of upper division Geology courses you have taken. Applicants should have taken the equivalent of courses in this list:
Geol 351 – Mineralogy
Geol 352 – Petrology
Geol 370 – Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Geol 375 – Structural Geology
Geol 420, 421, 422 – Geology Field Studies
Applicants with Foreign Credentials
Applicants with foreign credentials must complete a foreign credential evaluation BEFORE the application deadline in order for their application to be considered complete. We recommend using IERF and that you request to have the official evaluation report sent electronically to BYU Graduate Studies. Please plan accordingly as this process may take 6 weeks or longer to complete.
GRE
Additional Requirements
3.0 overall GPA in all physical science courses
Upload a list of upper division Geology courses you have taken. Applicants should have taken the equivalent of courses in this list:
Geol 351 – Mineralogy
Geol 352 – Petrology
Geol 370 – Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Geol 375 – Structural Geology
Geol 420, 421, 422 – Geology Field Studies
Applicants with Foreign Credentials
Applicants with foreign credentials must complete a foreign credential evaluation BEFORE the application deadline in order for their application to be considered complete. We recommend using IERF and that you request to have the official evaluation report sent electronically to BYU Graduate Studies. Please plan accordingly as this process may take 6 weeks or longer to complete.
Program Requirements
Pursuit of the MS degree not only helps prepare students for exciting career opportunities in areas of distinct benefit to mankind, but it also allows them to experience the challenges and rewards of modern scientific research. It is expected that the thesis work will culminate in new understanding of a problem of scientific significance and that results will be published in a reputable scientific journal.
Areas of specialization: Earth Science Education, Environmental Geology, and Geology.
Requirements for Degree.
Credit hours (30): minimum 24 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (Geol 699R); 1 hour of Geol 591R.
Courses include:
Examinations: (A) comprehensive oral examination on course work; (B) final oral defense of thesis.
Areas of specialization: Earth Science Education, Environmental Geology, and Geology.
Requirements for Degree.
Credit hours (30): minimum 24 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (Geol 699R); 1 hour of Geol 591R.
Courses include:
- Geology: Geol 601 and others to be determined in consultation with advisor.
- Environmental geology: Geol 601, 635, 636; 9 hours from Geol 411, 435, 445, 521, 560, 590R (approved by graduate committee), PWS 511, Ch En 411, CE En 545, 555, 641, 654. Recommended: Stat 511
- Earth science education: Geol 697R (approved by graduate committee); 6–9 hours from Geol 411, 435, 440, 445, 460, 480; 6 hours from IP&T 560, 564, 620, 652, 661
- Any additional graduate courses in geology approved by graduate committee may be taken to satisfy remainder of 24 course work hours
Examinations: (A) comprehensive oral examination on course work; (B) final oral defense of thesis.
Program Outcomes
Effective Investigation and Communication
Demonstrate competency in scientific investigation, writing, and oral presentation.
Professional Preparation
Be employable in geology-related fields or able to further their education in graduate programs.
Teamwork Skills
Develop the ability to work independently or in teams on research problems.
Specialized Thesis Project
Become specialized in at least one geological subdiscipline, generally related to the thesis project and graduate course work.
Demonstrate competency in scientific investigation, writing, and oral presentation.
Professional Preparation
Be employable in geology-related fields or able to further their education in graduate programs.
Teamwork Skills
Develop the ability to work independently or in teams on research problems.
Specialized Thesis Project
Become specialized in at least one geological subdiscipline, generally related to the thesis project and graduate course work.
Program Stats
Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students
32.0
International
2.0
Male
23.0
Female
9.0
LDS
31.0
BYU Undergraduate
14.0
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree
1.89
Graduated Per Year
18.6
GMAT Quantitative Percentile
67.5
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year
11.8
Admitted Per Year
10.4
Percent Admitted
88.14
Average GPA
3.44
Courses and Faculty