Earth Science Department

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN EARTH SCIENCE

The earth science department offers a Master of Science degree in Physical Sciences with Earth Science emphasis. This degree allows considerable flexibility for students to design individual programs within the framework of earth-system science. Students may select courses and research topics in geology, physical geography, environmental science, paleontology, remote sensing, geographic information systems, meteorology/climatology, hydrogeology or other areas of earth science (ES or GO courses).

During the past several years, M.S. students have experienced excellent career success with governmental agencies and private industry. Several students have gone on to Ph.D. programs at other universities, including University of Delaware, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Arkansas, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, and the University of Waterloo, Canada. Interdisciplinary training and experience are increasingly in demand for all sectors of the earth science profession. The M.S. degree offered at ESU is well-suited for current and future career opportunities.

M.S. Degree Requirements

Upon admission, the student will be assigned a graduate advisor, who will guide the student through program requirements and monitor the student's progress. Students must pass a qualifying exam, which is usually taken during the first year. The degree normally takes two or three years to complete, and students may choose a thesis or research-project option.

Thesis option: Thirty credit hours of graduate courses including up to 8 hours of thesis and research project. At least 6 hours must come from allied sciences, such as biology, chemistry, computer science, geography, mathematics, or physics.
Research project option: Thirty-two hours of graduate courses including up to 6 hours of research project. At least 6 hours must come from allied sciences, such as biology, chemistry, computer science, geography, mathematics, or physics.

A minimum of 60 percent of credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 700 or higher. Satisfactory grades must be maintained--see graduate policies. All requirements for the degree must be completed within a period of seven years from the first enrollment date.

The student is expected to present his/her research at a professional scientific conference or meeting. The seminar may take the form of a poster display, oral lecture, field-trip guide, workshop or other suitable format. Examples of appropriate scientific organizations include the Kansas Academy of Science, Geological Society of America, Midwest Groundwater Conference, and American Association of Geographers. Other acceptable venues include invited seminars at other universities, governmental agencies, museums, or research institutions.

Up to nine graduate credit hours may be accepted via transfer from other universities, upon approval of the student's graduate advisor. For complete degree requirements, contact the earth science department or consult the university's graduate catalog.

Admissions procedures.
M.S. program sheet.

Distance Learning

The M.S. degree and graduate certificate in geospatial analysis (see below) are available for distance-learning students in the United States and abroad. Degree-seeking students come from all parts of the United States: California, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Florida, New York, Texas, etc. We also have distance-learning graduate students from other countries: Canada, Sweden, Estonia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Course and degree requirements are the same as for on-campus students (see above). The following combination of courses may be utilized to earn the M.S. degree.

Graduate courses offered by ESU via Internet.
Up to nine hours of graduate courses transfered from other universities.
Independent research and thesis conducted under faculty supervision.
Summer field classes offered at ESU.

Distance-learning students Audrey Rager (left) and Linda Freeman (center) prepare to enter a lava-tube cave with adjunct professor Bill Hirt (right) from the College of Siskiyous, near Mt. Shasta, California. Click on the small image to see a larger version. Photo date 5/99, © J.S. Aber.

The normal time period for earning an M.S. degree via distance learning is three or four years. Students have completed thesis research on a variety of topics, including remote sensing of Mount Shasta, California; dendrochronology and lichenometry in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado; ground-water movement and contamination associated with oil production and refining, Kansas; remote sensing of forest cover, Kansas; prehistoric ceramic artifacts, Arizona; and tsunami impact on Malaysia. Some distance-learning students have been supported with research assistantships to work on projects with faculty mentors.

Note: Distance-learning students will be considered for admission to graduate degree or certificate programs only after enrolling in or completing at least one online course from ESU.

Graduate Assistants

The department has a continuing need for qualified on-campus graduate teaching assistants to help with undergraduate courses. GTA positions will be paid $7000 per academic year (2007-08) and include a waiver of tuition and fees. See more information on graduate assistantships.

The earth science department has openings for graduate research assistants for academic year, 2007-'08. Departmental research projects are underway in Kansas, Colorado, Canada, Poland, Estonia, Slovakia, and China. Research assistants are needed with backgrounds in remote sensing, GIS, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, paleontology, soil science, and other areas of earth science. Two special awards are available for next academic year. Deadline for applications is around March 1, 2007 for both.

Boylan Award -- The recipient of the award (which is competitive) will receive $2300 in addition to the other financial support.
Academic Achievement Awards -- A $1000 enhancement to teaching or research assistantships.

Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Analysis

Emporia State University has a unique graduate certificate program in the specialty of geospatial analysis (GSA). The certificate program is a collection of courses designed to provide training and competency in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning system (GPS), and related technologies. The GSA graduate certificate can be completed through on-campus courses or by distance learning via Internet. The certificate in geospatial analysis provides valuable technical skills for professional career advancement without the long-term commitment necessary for a Master's degree.

For more information, contact: James S. Aber,
e-mail: jaber@emporia.edu.

Return to Earth science homepage.
Last update Feb. 2007.