Program Information

The Department of Geological Sciences offers programs leading to the Master of Science (thesis), the Master of Science in Teaching (non-thesis), and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees in geology. Minimum requirements for these degrees are described in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

For admission to graduate status in the Department of Geological Sciences, a student must have a baccalaureate degree with a major in geology or a related field or its equivalent. Deficiencies in undergraduate preparation can be corrected by completing the undergraduate courses without credit while enrolled as a graduate student.

Applicants should take the GRE general test. The scores of this examination must be reported to the Department of Geological Sciences. Three letters of recommendation are also required for admission to the doctoral program and for financial aid applications at any level.

A minimum of 32 semester hours of graduate level courses are required for the Master of Science in geology. At least 24 hours must be in organized graduate-level geology courses (excluding research, teaching, special projects, etc.). Six hours of thesis research credit are required. All master’s degrees are terminal; a separate and new application for admission to the doctoral program is required.

For the Master of Science in Teaching degree, a minimum of 36 semester hours are required; including at least 24 hours in organized graduate-level geology courses, 2 in Seminar (6931) and 6 hours of Internship in College Teaching (6943). Master’s Research (6971) can not be used toward the degree. At least one course in each of the following: Social Foundations of Education, Psychological Foundations of Education, and Community College curriculum are required. These courses may be used to comprise a minor in Education (6 hours will count toward the total of 24 geology courses). The remaining hours must be in approved electives. Passage of a final oral examination that covers the field of Geology and the students minor is required of all candidates. No thesis is required.

90 semester hours of graduate-level class work are required for the Ph.D., including organized course work, individual work, supervised research and teaching, advanced research, dissertation, special projects, or courses in a related field.

The Department offers a combination bachelor’s/master’s degree program. Contact the graduate coordinator for information.

For more information, please see the program page below and our department website: http://geology.ufl.edu.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Geology

• Doctor of Philosophy
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Hydrologic Sciences
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Wetland Sciences
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science
• Master of Science
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Hydrologic Sciences
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Wetland Sciences
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science
• Master of Science in Teaching
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Wetland Sciences
    • optional second concentration in Climate Science

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Geology Program Courses

Geological Sciences Departmental Courses

Geology (PHD)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Students will articulate orally and in writing the results and applications of their research and scholarship, using the basic concepts, theories, and observational findings related to Earth materials and processes, as they pertain to the student's research

SLO 2     Skills     
Students will analyze data in the published literature; synthesize analog and digital datasets to produce original geologic maps and/or datasets; apply the scientific method to analysis of published and self-generated data

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Students will conduct research in an ethical and responsible manner

Geology (MS)   

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Students will articulate orally and in writing the results and applications of their research and scholarship, using the basic concepts, theories, and observational findings related to Earth materials and processes, as they pertain to the student's research.

SLO 2     Skills     
Students will analyze data in the published literature; synthesize analog and digital datasets to produce original geologic maps and/or datasets; apply the scientific method to analysis of published and self-generated data.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Students will conduct research in an ethical and responsible manner.

Geology (MST) 

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Students articulate orally and in writing the results and applications of their scholarship, demonstrating a proficiency in the basic concepts, theories, and observational findings related to Earth materials and processes, as they pertain to educational standards established at the state or national level.

SLO 2     Skills     
Students will create, select and implement: (1) specific learning goals, (2) appropriate pedagogy and instructional materials and (3) evaluation strategies aligned with goals, using knowledge of subject matter, learners and classroom management.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Students will conduct research and teach in an ethical and responsible manner