Geology
MS
Application Deadlines
Fall:February 1
Contact Information: 
S-389 ESC
801-422-3918
geology@byu.edu
Website
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:

  • 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

Publishable thesis.

Examinations: (A) comprehensive oral examination on course work; (B) final oral defense of thesis.

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

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.

Program Stats

Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students 36
International 2
Female 8
LDS 34
Non-White 4
BYU Undergraduate 25
Three Year Average Test Scores of Admitted Student
GRE Composite Score 314.1
GRE Quantitative Score 155.7
GRE Quantitative Percentile 61.9
GRE Verbal Score 158.4
GRE Verbal Percentile 76.1
GRE Analytical Score 4.2
GRE Analytical Percentile 63.3
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree 2.6
Graduated Per Year 11.8
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year 28.0
Admitted Per Year 15.8
Percent Admitted 56.43
Average GPA 3.63