Geography Bachelors Thinking about Geology Masters, What should I do?

Graduate School
1

Okay, so I’d like to ask what I can do to improve my chances of getting into a master’s program in Geology, given my situation. Which is as follows:

I am a geography major at the University of North Texas. I intend to do a concentration in Earth Science (probably known as Physical Geography to most), minor in Geology, and get the Certificate in GIS.

UNT does not offer a major in Geology. In the process of doing all this, I’ll probably end up taking all the geology courses offered. These mostly emphasize Geomorphology, and Hydrology. There’s not really any hard rock emphasis from what I can see.

My credit load is getting a little full, so I intend to take at community college what I can’t take at UNT, post graduation if needed. Specifically these classes I intend to take to bolster my science background:

General Chem I and II. University Physics I and II (Mechanics, and Electricity&Magnetism), Calculus I and II for sure, maybe more if possible. I’d also like to take a year of Bio but I’m not sure what, the Dallas community college system offers Bio I and II for “Science Majors” among other things.

The community college system also offers “Mineralogy and Petrology I and II”, though not every year. Oceanography and Physical Geography are also offered.

I may not even want to do Geology, because I may like GIS for instance, but I want to plan for the future as if I want to be a geologist.

What else can I/should I do? I will of course talk to my professors at UNT for advice. Should I be able to get into a program? What about a good program like UT Austin? What should I do to learn more about other areas of geology, since it looks like I’ll learn about geomorph and hydrology, and that’s about it?

The truth is, I’m still pretty green and may have a lot of interests so I’m shooting broad to let myself taste a lot.

Do I need to transfer to a program with a geology major? I really would rather not transfer, I have gathered too many college credits as is and would like to keep my degree from stretching out past 4 years (when my scholarship ends.)

Thanks for reading this, and any advice at all would be awesome.

2

What is the purpose you might need a grad degree in geology for, did you identify that? I think a grad program will at least want to be assured you have a direction and idea what and why you want to study a particular area.

Spend some time on the UT and other college grad pages before you talk to your professors. Certainly you would have to have the foundational classes you mention and you would also be expected to have some research and field experience, perhaps you can apply for a REU, but you are missing so much preparation it seems.

UT:. Applicants to our graduate program are expected to have completed a minimum of two college-level courses in calculus and 4 courses completed in at least 2 of the following areas: physics, chemistry, biology and computer science. All of these courses must have received a C or better. Additional courses in geological sciences, including field training appropriate for the subject of interest, depend on the particular area within the geosciences that a student wishes to study. Specific programs may require additional prerequisite coursework. Any deficiencies in these areas must be addressed early in a student’s program. Other areas of study that are identified by a student’s mentor and examining committee as deficient should also be addressed early in a student’s program.

3

I’ve been looking at a lot of program’s pages, thus my long list of science classes to start filling in the gaps. There are many fascinating looking careers in all sorts of areas related to geology, geography, earth and environmental sciences. I haven’t figured out what I want to focus on yet, but I can say that the more rigorously scientific look like a long shot, so it seems wise to start preparing for them now, in case I lean that way. They are the paths that will require me to look beyond what I’ll have to fulfill for my degree as far as coursework goes. Lots of MS degrees seem to exist currently with the goal of creating professionals in the various fields of earth science to work in the industry, so I feel relatively confident coming that I can find a grad program that matches my interests, which are professional. I haven’t worked out what I want to focus on yet, and will narrow down what I’m interested in, probably quickly, with experience. I guess part of my question is fielding what all else I can do? Many programs, for instance SMU’s invite applicants from chemistry, physics, engineering, and biology majors. I can’t help but wonder how a biology major would really be better prepared for geology than a geography major who has focused on a lot of physical geography and geology. Especially if I take the standard science fare everyone takes.

I guess my impression is Geology Masters are somewhat flexible as to who they admit. The very fact that a high ranked school like UT mentions pre-requisite catch-ups suggests to me that they don’t just admit Geology majors.

I’d really like to hear how much work someone had to do who came into a geology masters from a non-geology background.

I’m willing to do the work for this, if it’s what I really want, which I will probably determine soon enough. But I want to start preparing now, because it’s hard to know where the heart my settle.

For reference to my odd situation, I just finished my sophomore year. I’ve completed all my core. My greenness is due to having been a music major prior to all this. During core I re-discovered geography and really enjoyed it, and found possibly a scientific path that I could still take without being buried in pre-requisites. During the geography class, we did several chapters on geology, and I really enjoyed that, but UNT doesn’t have a Geology major. I’ll be taking pretty much pure geography/geology from here on out, to graduate on time, and because I’ve taken everything else I need. That is why I say that I’ll find out my interests soon enough. I’ll be immersed in GIS, Geomorph, Human Geography, and Geology starting next week in fact.