Geoscience, M.S.
The geology research facilities at Saint Louis University include a network of seismograph stations surrounding the New Madrid fault zone, state-of-the-art seismic observatories that transmit data by satellite from sites distributed across a broad region of the central United States; excellent computing facilities consisting of LINUX, Solaris, MAC and PC workstations; rock preparation and mineral separation facilities; a stable isotope geochemistry lab; a remote sensing lab; and a digital image analysis lab.
Extensive research is conducted at the Saint Louis University Earthquake Center and the Seismic Analysis and Remote Sensing Laboratories.
Curriculum Overview
The non-thesis option requires 30 credits to complete; the thesis option requires 24 credits to complete, plus six thesis credits.
Three concentrations are available:
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Environmental geoscience
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Active research areas in geophysics include earthquake seismology, tectonics, those in geology include tectonics, remote sensing, sedimentary geology and sedimentation, igneous and metamorphic petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, geomorphology and fluid-rock interaction, while those in environmental geosciences include river/reservoir sustainability, land use effects on water quality, contaminant transport, wetland biogeochemistry, hydro-geochemistry, fluvial geomorphology, coastal geomorphology and processes.
Careers
The master of science program prepares students for careers in private industry and government agencies or for further advanced studies. After graduating, alumni might pursue a career as an earthquake hazard analyst, environmental consultant or an exploration geophysicist.
Admission Requirements
Successful applicants possess sufficient test scores, a sufficient GPA and sufficient TOEFL scores (for international students).
Geology Concentration
Prerequisites include mineralogy, petrology, sedimentology and structural geology. One year each of calculus, physics and chemistry is desirable.
Geophysics Concentration
Prerequisites include structural geology, college physics, mechanics and mathematics through differential equations.
Environmental Geosciences Concentration
Prerequisites for the master’s degree: an undergraduate degree in a STEM discipline with at least one semester each of calculus, physics, biology, chemistry, and geoscience; a second semester of calculus or one semester of statistics.
Application Requirements
- Application form and fee
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcript(s)
- Professional goal statement
- GRE scores
- Résumé
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application and Assistantship Application Deadlines
Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their applications by Feb. 1.
U.S. students should apply for the fall semester by July 1 and for the spring semester by Nov. 1. International students should apply for the fall semester by May 1 and for the spring semester by Oct. 1.
Review Process
Faculty committee members examine qualified applicants' materials and make recommendations.
Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships, applicants should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and health insurance for the duration of the award.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
- Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories or research methodologies in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
- Graduates will be able to apply knowledge from the earth and atmospheric sciences to address problems in broader contexts.
- Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in oral forms.
- Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in written forms.
- Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly or professional integrity in earth and atmospheric sciences.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EAS 4500 | Scientific Communications | 3 |
| EAS 5900 | Geoscience Journal Club | 1 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| EAS 5190 | Seminar in Geoscience | 2 |
| or EAS 5390 | Seminar in Seismology | |
| Concentration Elective Courses | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 24 | |
Thesis Option | ||
Select Concentration Electives from the following: | ||
EAS 5990 | Thesis Research | |
Non-Thesis Option | ||
Select Concentration Electives from the following: | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Geology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| EAS 5060 | Physics of Solid Earth | 3 |
| Concentration Choice | ||
| EAS 5170 | Divergent & Convergent Margins | 3 |
| or EAS 5180 | Trans Margins & Plate Interior | |
| Concentration Elective Courses 1 | ||
| Select 18 credits of the following: | 18 | |
EAS 5040 | Potential Theory | |
EAS 5070 | Advanced Coastal Processes | |
EAS 5080 | Dynamics of the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5090 | Physics of the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5110 | Computing in Atmospheric Science | |
EAS 5120 | Time Series Analysis in Geophysics | |
EAS 5150 | Properties of Earth Materials | |
EAS 5170 | Divergent & Convergent Margins | |
EAS 5180 | Trans Margins & Plate Interior | |
EAS 5190 | Seminar in Geoscience | |
EAS 5200 | Numerical Method of Prediction | |
EAS 5220 | Geophysical Data Processing | |
EAS 5230 | Boundary Layer Meteorology | |
EAS 5240 | Tropical Meteorology | |
EAS 5260 | Synoptic & Dynamic Meteorology of the Jet Stream | |
EAS 5270 | Meteorology of Severe Storms | |
EAS 5280 | Environmental Geochemistry | |
EAS 5290 | Mesometeorology | |
EAS 5330 | Communicating in Research | |
EAS 5340 | Cloud Physics | |
EAS 5360 | Principles of Radiative Transference | |
EAS 5380 | Stat Methods in Meteorology | |
EAS 5390 | Seminar in Seismology | |
EAS 5400 | Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation | |
EAS 5420 | Advanced Structural Geology | |
EAS 5430 | Isotope Geochemistry | |
EAS 5440 | Advanced Sedimentary Geology | |
EAS 5450 | Advanced Petrology | |
EAS 5460 | Geodynamics | |
EAS 5470 | Turbulence | |
EAS 5510 | Seismic Exploration Methods | |
EAS 5520 | Seismic Exploration Lab | |
EAS 5540 | Potential and Electrical Exploration Methods | |
EAS 5610 | Satellite Meteorology | |
EAS 5650 | Radar Meteorology | |
EAS 5700 | Convection in the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5720 | Seismological Instrumentation | |
EAS 5750 | Land-Atmosphere Interaction | |
EAS 5800 | Synoptic-Mesoscale Circulation | |
EAS 5981 | Independent Study | |
EAS 5930 | Special Topics | |
EAS 5970 | Research Topics | |
EAS 5980 | Graduate Reading Course | |
EAS 5990 | Thesis Research | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| 1 | The non-thesis option requires 17-18 credits of Electives; the thesis option requires 11-12 credits plus 6 credits of thesis research. |
Geophysics Concentration
The Master of Science (Thesis) in Geoscience with Geophysics concentration requires a minimum of 24 credits plus a written thesis of 6 credits. The Master of Science in Geoscience (non-Thesis) with a Geophysics concentration, coursework option, requires a minimum of 30 credits and independent study.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| EAS 5060 | Physics of Solid Earth | 3 |
| Concentration Choice #1 | ||
| EAS 5170 | Divergent & Convergent Margins | 3 |
| or EAS 5180 | Trans Margins & Plate Interior | |
| Concentration Choice #2 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
EAS 5040 | Potential Theory | |
EAS 5400 | Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation | |
EAS 5510 & EAS 5520 | Seismic Exploration Methods and Seismic Exploration Lab | |
| Concentration Elective Courses 1 | ||
| Select 12 credits of the following: | 12 | |
EAS 5040 | Potential Theory | |
EAS 5070 | Advanced Coastal Processes | |
EAS 5080 | Dynamics of the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5090 | Physics of the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5110 | Computing in Atmospheric Science | |
EAS 5120 | Time Series Analysis in Geophysics | |
EAS 5150 | Properties of Earth Materials | |
EAS 5170 | Divergent & Convergent Margins | |
EAS 5180 | Trans Margins & Plate Interior | |
EAS 5190 | Seminar in Geoscience | |
EAS 5200 | Numerical Method of Prediction | |
EAS 5220 | Geophysical Data Processing | |
EAS 5230 | Boundary Layer Meteorology | |
EAS 5240 | Tropical Meteorology | |
EAS 5260 | Synoptic & Dynamic Meteorology of the Jet Stream | |
EAS 5270 | Meteorology of Severe Storms | |
EAS 5280 | Environmental Geochemistry | |
EAS 5290 | Mesometeorology | |
EAS 5330 | Communicating in Research | |
EAS 5340 | Cloud Physics | |
EAS 5360 | Principles of Radiative Transference | |
EAS 5380 | Stat Methods in Meteorology | |
EAS 5390 | Seminar in Seismology | |
EAS 5400 | Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation | |
EAS 5420 | Advanced Structural Geology | |
EAS 5430 | Isotope Geochemistry | |
EAS 5440 | Advanced Sedimentary Geology | |
EAS 5450 | Advanced Petrology | |
EAS 5460 | Geodynamics | |
EAS 5470 | Turbulence | |
EAS 5540 | Potential and Electrical Exploration Methods | |
EAS 5610 | Satellite Meteorology | |
EAS 5650 | Radar Meteorology | |
EAS 5700 | Convection in the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5720 | Seismological Instrumentation | |
EAS 5750 | Land-Atmosphere Interaction | |
EAS 5800 | Synoptic-Mesoscale Circulation | |
EAS 5981 | Independent Study | |
EAS 5930 | Special Topics | |
EAS 5970 | Research Topics | |
EAS 5980 | Graduate Reading Course | |
EAS 5990 | Thesis Research | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| 1 | The non-thesis option requires 11-12 credits of Electives; the thesis option requires 5-6 credits plus 6 credits of thesis research. |
Environmental Geosciences Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Elective Courses 1 | ||
| Select 24 credits of the following: | 24 | |
EAS 5040 | Potential Theory | |
EAS 5060 | Physics of Solid Earth | |
EAS 5070 | Advanced Coastal Processes | |
EAS 5080 | Dynamics of the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5090 | Physics of the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5110 | Computing in Atmospheric Science | |
EAS 5120 | Time Series Analysis in Geophysics | |
EAS 5150 | Properties of Earth Materials | |
EAS 5170 | Divergent & Convergent Margins | |
EAS 5180 | Trans Margins & Plate Interior | |
EAS 5190 | Seminar in Geoscience | |
EAS 5200 | Numerical Method of Prediction | |
EAS 5220 | Geophysical Data Processing | |
EAS 5230 | Boundary Layer Meteorology | |
EAS 5240 | Tropical Meteorology | |
EAS 5260 | Synoptic & Dynamic Meteorology of the Jet Stream | |
EAS 5270 | Meteorology of Severe Storms | |
EAS 5280 | Environmental Geochemistry | |
EAS 5290 | Mesometeorology | |
EAS 5330 | Communicating in Research | |
EAS 5340 | Cloud Physics | |
EAS 5360 | Principles of Radiative Transference | |
EAS 5380 | Stat Methods in Meteorology | |
EAS 5390 | Seminar in Seismology | |
EAS 5400 | Continuum Mechanics in Wave Propagation | |
EAS 5420 | Advanced Structural Geology | |
EAS 5430 | Isotope Geochemistry | |
EAS 5440 | Advanced Sedimentary Geology | |
EAS 5450 | Advanced Petrology | |
EAS 5460 | Geodynamics | |
EAS 5470 | Turbulence | |
EAS 5510 | Seismic Exploration Methods | |
EAS 5520 | Seismic Exploration Lab | |
EAS 5540 | Potential and Electrical Exploration Methods | |
EAS 5610 | Satellite Meteorology | |
EAS 5650 | Radar Meteorology | |
EAS 5700 | Convection in the Atmosphere | |
EAS 5720 | Seismological Instrumentation | |
EAS 5750 | Land-Atmosphere Interaction | |
EAS 5800 | Synoptic-Mesoscale Circulation | |
EAS 5981 | Independent Study | |
EAS 5930 | Special Topics | |
EAS 5970 | Research Topics | |
EAS 5980 | Graduate Reading Course | |
EAS 5990 | Thesis Research | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| 1 | The non-thesis option requires 23-24 credits of Electives; the thesis option requires 17-18 credits plus 6 credits of thesis research. |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Geology Roadmap
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Elective | Advanced Petrology | 3 |
| Physics of Solid Earth | 3 | |
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Elective | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Convergent Divergent Margins | 3 | |
| Scientific Communication | 3 | |
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Elective | Environmental Geochemistry | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Delete summers if not needed | ||
| Thesis Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Seminar in Geoscience | 2 | |
| Journal Club | 1 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Thesis Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Geophysics Roadmap
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Advanced Seismology I | 3 | |
| Physics of Solid Earth | 3 | |
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Convergent Divergent Margins | 3 | |
| Scientific Communication | 3 | |
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Delete summers if not needed | ||
| Thesis Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EAS 5040 | Potential Theory | 3 |
| Seminar in Geoscience | 2 | |
| Journal Club | 1 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Continuum Mechanics | 3 | |
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Thesis Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Environment Geosciences Roadmap
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Elective | Principles of Biostatistics | 3 |
| Elective | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Elective (Electives are chosen with advisor to tailor to student needs) | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | Water Treatment Systems | 3 |
| Scientific Communication | 3 | |
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Elective | Soil Ecology | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Delete summers if not needed | ||
| Thesis Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | Programming for Remote Sensing/GIS | 3 |
| Seminar in Geoscience | 2 | |
| Journal Club | 1 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Journal Club | 0 | |
| Thesis Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |