Geology B.S./M.S. (IU degrees)

Earth sciences encompasses the study of earth material (rocks, sediment, soil, petroleum), water (oceans, groundwater, water quality), and the atmosphere (climate change, air quality), as well as the relationships between material, water, air, their interaction with biologic life, and their changes through time.

Earth science (which includes geology and environmental science among other sub-disciplines) is a great field to study because:

• It combines the strengths of biology, geography, physics, chemistry, and biology and applies them to our knowledge of the Earth.
• The career opportunities are very diverse. Some geologists spend most of their time outdoors, others spend their entire time in the laboratory, and many spend a mixture of time outside, in the lab, and at their desk.
• As a smaller discipline of study, faculty and advisors can give one on one attention to each and every student.
• Employment opportunities are spread evenly across the U.S., both in rural and urban areas, with the highest concentration in large metro areas like Indianapolis.
• Students can easily advance to the graduate level and earn a Masters or PhD degree.

The faculty research in our department speaks of the diversity. Several faculty are researching climate change and global warming, which has involved trips on ocean research ships and Antarctica. Other faculty are researching water quality issues and behavior in Central Indiana, while another faculty member researches the geologic history of mountain building in southern California. Some faculty do their research entirely in the laboratory or by computer, but most require some field work to collect samples that are then processed in our laboratories.

What's the difference between Geology & Environmental Science?

The job market provides a good balance between the number of earth science graduates and the number of job openings in earth science, and many graduates have the exciting possibility of continuing on in graduate school to earn a Masters degree or Ph.D. Across the U.S. most earth science graduates who perform well as undergraduates can attend any one of hundreds of graduate programs across the US that typically offer tuition waivers and a stipend of $12-$18K.

The common perception of a geologist is someone who hunts for oil or gold. While petroleum and mining geologists are the highest paid and most recognized field within geology, they are outweighed by the many geologists and environmental scientists employed in business, industry, and education across the U.S. Mean salaries are $45,000 to $60,000 depending on the employer, the type of specialization, and whether you have a Masters degree--an environmental consultant may pay a starting salary of $35,000 while a petroleum exploration company may pay starting at $60,000. Many earth scientists work in county, state, and federal government to conduct research in earth sciences or to implement and manage environmental regulations and public policy.

Learn more about career possibilities and employers of IUPUI Earth Sciences grads.

The BSMS curriculum includes the core undergraduate courses that are currently required for the BS in Geology, and all the graduate courses that are currently required for the MS in Geology.

• The total credit hours for this integrated degree program will be 138 credit hours for a thesis MS, and 147 credit hours for a non-thesis MS.
• Research reading and data collection begins in the summer prior to the senior year of undergraduate study, and will be completed in the following summer.
• The fifth year of study is devoted to graduate course work and completion of the M.S. thesis.

The link below includes a degree checksheet and a sample degree map illustrating a semester-by-semester plan of study. A separate degree map is included for a thesis MS and a non-thesis MS, with overlapping course credit indicated.

• BSMS Geology Degree CheckSheet and Plan of Study

Undergraduate students admitted to the program will be assigned a three person provisional advisory committee at the completion of the third year or 90 credits of undergraduate work.

• The provisional committee will prescribe an academic program of study for the MS program and assist the student in developing a research plan, in consultation with the principal research advisor.
• A B (3.0 GPA) average must be maintained in the fourth year of study to continue in the BSMS program.

At the beginning of the student's fourth year or 90 credits of undergraduate work, the student will submit an official graduate school application, statement of interests and career plans, official GRE scores, and letters of recommendation to the graduate committee of the Department of Earth Sciences.

• Following admission, all rules and regulations of the Indiana University MS program in Geology at IUPUI will be applicable to completion of the student's research thesis and program of study. 
• Interested students should meet wth the undergraduate academic advisor to discuss their intent to complete the BSMS degree, and to complete an internal application to the degree program.

Prospective students should have completed three years of an undergraduate degree program in geology, with a minimum B (3.0 GPA) average. Interested students should meet wth the undergraduate academic advisor to discuss their intent to complete the BSMS degree, and to complete an internal application to the degree program.