Geoscience, Master of Science (072)
Department website: https://www.wku.edu/eeas/graduateprogram.php
Program Coordinator
Jason Polk, jason.polk@wku.edu, (270) 745-5015
The M.S. Geoscience program in the Department of Earth, Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences at WKU is interdisciplinary in nature, bringing together research perspectives from across the human-physical spectrum. The Department’s internationally recognized graduate faculty conduct research on a variety of human-environment interactions. The graduate program in Geosciences provides advanced professional training for careers as hydrologists, environmental resource managers, city and regional planners, engineering geologists, geophysical and geochemical geologists, meteorologists and climatologists, earth science teachers, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists, consultants in business and industry, and professional educators. The program also provides a scientific foundation for graduate students who plan to continue advanced studies leading to the Ph.D.
Graduate Assistants and Graduate Research and/or Teaching Fellows work with designated faculty on research projects, teach introductory courses, and provide mentoring support for undergraduates. We aim to make your experience in the M.S. Geoscience program educational, rewarding, inspiring, fun, and productive. The department offers a wide range of supporting funding, equipment, and facilities, including resources at the Kentucky Climate Center, Disaster Science Operations Center, Kentucky Mesonet, Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies, Crawford Hydrology Laboratory, Reynolds Geological Sciences Laboratory, StrataMax Laboratory, and Landscape Geodynamics Laboratory to facilitate student training and applied experiences.
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.
Program Admission
- A resume or CV
- Focused 1-2 page description of research interests, including potential research topics with an identified theme, defined problem, and/or potential questions that demonstrate knowledge of a field of interest within the Geosciences and how these intersect with current faculty expertise within the Department
- Written evidence of an agreement from a graduate faculty member in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences willing to supervise the proposed research project
- Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
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The following is recommended, but not required:
- An additional writing sample (e.g., a paper, manuscript, thesis, etc.)
- Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)1
- 1
Admitted students who have provided GRE scores in prior years typically scored 4.0 or higher on the analytical writing subtest. However, each applicant will be evaluated individually and on a holistic basis; inclusion of the GRE with a strong analytical writing score may be beneficial for students looking to offset weaknesses in their application.
Graduate School Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate School admission requirements.
Program Requirements (30 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GEOS 500 | Geoscience Research and Literacy | 3 |
| GEOS 502 | Geoscience Research Methods | 3 |
| GEOS 520 | Geoscience Statistical Methods | 3 |
| GEOS 599 | Thesis Writing and Research | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 15 hours from GEOS, GEOL, GEOG graduate courses appropriate to support the thesis research project and approved by the thesis director: 1 | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
A maximum of six hours of advisor approved electives that are consistent with the student's research focus may be selected from other departments.