Graduate Degree Information
See ISU's Office of Graduate Studies for ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.
ISU Geosciences Students
The Geoscience program at Idaho State University has approximately 25 graduate students. Most come from colleges and universities across the country, with a few from Idaho and a few from overseas. Some students enroll immediately after completing their undergraduate degree while others worked for several years before returning to school. This variety of backgrounds increases the diversity and expertise of the department and adds an important dimension to our program.
Graduate students typically complete their MS degree in 4-5 semesters. Coursework and RA or TA duties occupy their time during the first year, while thesis research is progressively more emphasized during the second year. As time permits, students pursue the numerous outdoor recreation opportunities which abound in the Pocatello region.
After graduation, all students in recent years have obtained positions in the Geosciences, generally within 2-6 weeks of completing their degree. Many obtain employment with environmental consulting firms or government agencies responsible for environmental stewardship. A few students pursue careers with mining and petroleum companies, some find teaching positions, and about 15% of our students go on to Ph.D. programs.
Student Support and Costs
The Department of Geosciences has several teaching assistantships available to graduate students, for which both entering and enrolled students may apply. Complete applications for Teaching Assistantships are due on February 15th for the following September. The University offers scholarships and tuition waivers to students on the basis of both academic achievement and need. Research Assistant positions are available depending on current grant funding. Work-study positions are available in the Department of Geosciences to qualified students. Information regarding scholarships and work-study positions may be obtained through the Financial Aid office at Idaho State University. Students have obtained part-time work with mining, soil-testing or other companies based in Pocatello and nearby cities.
Entrance Requirements and Academic Procedures
Applicants must hold the degree of Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts or the equivalent as determined by the Department. Students who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements (described below) or with incomplete applications or with large numbers of deficiencies can be admitted on a conditional basis. Conditional status can be changed to classified status after one or two semesters if performance is satisfactory and specific requirements are met. Students with undergraduate degrees who wish to take graduate classes but do not wish to pursue a graduate degree should apply to be an unclassified graduate student.
The student's course of study will be determined by consultation and possibly an entrance examination. One or more faculty advisors will assist the student in choosing and pursuing a research topic. Continued enrollment in the program is contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 grade point average and upon making satisfactory progress toward the degree.
Admission
A complete graduate application for classified status in the Department of Geosciences consists of the following minimum requirements.
| Please contact main geoscience office and inform them that you have sent application material to the graduate school ! ! ! Call at 208-282-3235 or email geology@isu.edu. |
An ISU Graduate School application form.Fall semester enrollment application deadline is July 1st.Spring semester enrollment application deadline is December 1st.Summer session enrollment application deadline is May 1st. |
These 3 items are required by the ISU Graduate School.Mail items to:Office of Graduate StudiesIdaho State UniversityStop 8075Pocatello, ID 83209 |
Official Copies of transcripts |
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A $55.00 non-refundable application fee |
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Minimum 3.0 undergraduate G.P.A. for the last two years of undergraduate study |
These are required by the Department of Geosciences for admission into the program.
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GRE aptitude scores |
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A letter of intent and a statement of goals |
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Three letters of recommendation-(no specific form) |
Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Applied Science
This Ph.D. program is available to students wishing to study geoscience applied to problems in subsurface science. The complete program description appears at the following link: http://www.isu.edu/engineer/phd.html .
Master of Science in Geology
The M.S. degree is offered to those students with Bachelor's degrees in Geology who have demonstrated the potential for research and a professional career. Classified admission to the program is decided by the Graduate Faculty of the Department of Geosciences in accordance with standards set by the Graduate School . Applicants are evaluated based upon the quality of their undergraduate education, the strength of recommendation letters, and the letter of intent. GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores in excess of 50% are generally required.
An M.S. student in Geology must complete at least 30 credits of course work. At least 17 credits (including 6 thesis credits) must be at the 600 level in Geosciences. The remaining 13 credits may be earned at the 500 or 600 level, and may include as many as 8 credits in one or more related fields. In addition to the 30 credits, each student must take two approved courses from outside the Geosciences Department or opt to take a foreign language reading challenge exam at the elementary level. The student must also complete an original research project and submit their findings in the form of a written thesis, present at least one geology colloquium dealing with their thesis topic, and pass a final, comprehensive oral examination.
All graduate students are required to take GEOL 591 - Seminar 1 cr, GEOL 601 - Advanced Physical Geology 2 cr, and GEOL 603 - Geologic Writing Seminar, 1 cr. Normally GEOL 591 and GEOL 601 are taken in the first fall semester and GEOL 603 in the first spring semester. Graduate students may not register for GEOL 650 (Thesis) until a thesis prospectus has been approved by the thesis committee. GEOL 403/503 will be accepted only as an "out-of-department" course. GEOL 404/504 will be accepted an either an "out-of-department" or part of the 30 required graduate credits.
Deficiency scheme for Geology M.S. Students
Matriculating students should have (1) completed a minimum of 2 semesters of Calculus, 2 semesters of Physics, and 2 semesters of Chemistry at the undergraduate level; (2) satisfactory writing skills; (3) completed Geology Field Camp; and (4) taken eight classes from the following list, with at least two in each group:
Group 1
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Group 2
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Group 3
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Students will be required to complete any deficiencies before completion of their MS degree. One upper-division deficiency may be fulfilled at the graduate level as part of the 30-credit hour graduate program. Other deficiencies must be taken outside of the 30-credit hour graduate program.
Master of Science in Geology with Emphasis in Environmental Geoscience
A Geology M.S. degree may be awarded with the annotation "Emphasis in Environmental Geoscience" added, if the student completes the requirements for an M.S. Geology degree plus at least 9 credits in approved graduate-level courses in the general area of Environmental Geoscience. The curriculum may be developed in, but is not limited to, the following areas: surface and groundwater hydrology, environmental geochemistry, surficial geologic processes; geomorphology, volcanic, earthquake and other geologic hazards: environmental geophysics; assessment and remediation of hazardous waste sites;: Neogene and Quaternary geology. Courses in related science and engineering disciplines may also be included. The curriculum must be approved by the student's graduate committee, and may include components taken at Boise State University and/or the University of Idaho. Inter-university graduate committees are encouraged.
Master of Science in Geographic Information Science
The GeoTechnology program is a relatively new program of study within the Department of Geosciences at Idaho State University. The program was developed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities in the GeoTechnologies (GIS - geographic information systems, GPS- global positioning system, and Remote Sensing) necessary to compete in today's high-tech world. The complete program is described at this link: http://giscenter.isu.edu/geotech/
Masters of Natural Science in Geology (M.N.S.)
The Master of Natural Science Degree in Geology is designed primarily for teachers and prospective teachers who wish to broaden their understanding of geologic processes, the nature of natural resources, and the effect of humans on their environment. This is a non-thesis program of study with an emphasis on subject matter that will enhance the ability of the teacher to give students interesting, up-to-date classes in Earth Science or Geology. Those interested in the program must possess, or be working toward a standard secondary teaching certificate. Requirements include completion of a prescribed program of study of 30 credits approved by a departmental committee selected by the student in consultation with the student's major professor and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, and satisfactory performance on final written and oral examinations. See Master of Natural Science for details of M.N.S. degree.
Cooperative ISU-Boise State University Master's Degree in Geology
Graduate students admitted to the ISU Geology M.S. program may, subject to the approval of their thesis committee, transfer up to 12 credits of graduate credit from BSU. Students originating from BSU must also be admitted to the ISU Graduate School. The thesis committee consists of three or more people: an ISU Geosciences faculty member, a graduate faculty representative from ISU, a Geosciences and Geophysics faculty member from BSU (must be member of ISU graduate faculty), and an additional Geosciences graduate faculty as desired by the student.
Thesis research can be conducted under auspices of faculty at BSU or ISU, but registration must be for ISU Geology 650 (Thesis) totaling six credits. Students can register for GEOL 650 only after a thesis prospectus has been approved. Normally students must spend at least one semester at ISU. Students may apply up to ten credits of GEOL 648 (Research Problems - ISU credit), taught by BSU faculty, to their degree. Student residents at BSU can register for ISU credits with department and instructor's approval.
The total credits required for the cooperative degree are the same as for a normal ISU Geology M.S. degree (at least 17 at 600- level; at most 13 at 500 level). The requirement of two approved courses from outside the field of geology can be met at either ISU or BSU. Presentation of at least one Geosciences colloquium at ISU is required.
Cooperative "ISU - Boise State University " Master's Degree In Applied Geophysics
Graduate students admitted to the Boise State University M.S. program in applied geophysics may, subject to the approval of their thesis committee, transfer up to 12 credits of graduate credit from ISU. For details of this cooperative program, the student should consult the BSU graduate bulletin and the BSU Department of Geosciences and Geophysics or for specific entrance requirements, contact the Department of Geosciences and Geophysics, Boise State University , Boise , ID. 83725.
Cooperative "University of Idaho - Boise State University - ISU" Master's Degree in Hydrology
Access to the University of Idaho M.S. program in hydrology is provided to ISU and BSU graduate students via the offering of University of Idaho hydrology classes at Boise State University . Students interested in the University of Idaho hydrology degree should consult the U. of I. graduate bulletin and the U. of I. Department of Geology.
Interdisciplinary M.S. In Environmental Science and Management at ISU with Geology as a First or Second Field of Emphasis
Waste Management and Environmental Sciences is one of the most rapidly growing of the professional fields. However, because of the complex nature of associated environmental problems, entry into the field requires a unique combination of technical skills. The purpose of the program is to provide an integrated package of courses and expertise from several academic disciplines specifically tailored for entry into this field.
Geology is one of several areas of emphasis available for students wishing to enroll in the Waste Management and Environmental Sciences program. This emphasis would include development of skills in such areas as groundwater and unsaturated zone systems, hydrogeology, water-rock interactions, and earthquake and volcanic hazards. Students may pursue their degree with geology as the first or second field of emphasis. Admission requirements and degree program options are on the Office of Research pages or in a PDF booklet .
Depending on the student's choice of Geology as the first or second field of emphasis, the following additional requirements apply.
First field requirements: - these are in addition to the general requirements outlined above.a) Courses required for B.S. in Geology at ISU, orb) Courses required for B.A. in Geology at ISU and additional course work in the natural sciences or math as approved by the Department of Geoscience.c) Second field in one of the other participating departments (e.g., Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, etc.) |
Second field requirements: - these are in addition to the general requirements outlined above.a) The following courses or their equivalents:GEOL 101 or 109 (Physical Geology) and GEOL 110, and at least 2 credits of approved lower division Geology courses, and permission of the Department of Geosciences. Contact Geosciences Graduate Advisor or Waste Management and Environmental Sciences Coordinator for specifics.
b) First field in one of the other participating departments(e.g., Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, etc.) |