DEGREE PROGRAM
The Master of Science degree in Geology provides advanced training in the study of earth history and the environment. The degree is interdisciplinary and includes course work in allied sciences and environmental management. Many students will work with local industry and government organizations, as well as on faculty-sponsored research. The Center for Earth and Environmental Science offers Masters students unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research in the environmental sciences.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A baccalaureate degree in geology, a minimum of a B (3.0) average in geology courses, and the GRE general test are required for consideration for admission. Students with baccalaureate degrees in other disciplines are eligible for admission, provided that they complete a core geology and science curriculum. Each student must submit three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and an application packet by January 15^th to receive full consideration for Fall admission.

FINANCIAL AID
Several forms of financial aid are available each year. Most degree candidates are funded by individual faculty on grant-supported research assistantships. The Center for Earth and Environmental Science and Department of Geology have a series of environmental research and service co-operative positions with local agencies and environmental consulting firms. Finally, some degree candidates may be appointed as teaching assistants in introductory level geology courses. Both departmental and school-wide fellowships are also available.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Each student admitted to the program will be assigned a 3-member advisory committee that will prescribe a study program to suit the individual’s interest and needs. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available. Both options require at least 18 credit hours of non-research course work in geology and up to 6 credit hours in courses from related disciplines. The thesis option requires the completion of 30 credit hours. The non-thesis option requires the completion of 36 credit hours, 3 of which consist of an independent research project.

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
Research in geology has become more interdisciplinary, especially in the environmental field. Geology graduates, especially those educated beyond the baccalaureate level, need to develop strengths not only in one or more sub-disciplines of geology, but also in a related field such as biology, chemistry, geography, or environmental policy and management. Analytical laboratory experience and computer-based data analyses are important in geology and its related fields, yet an understanding of the earth requires combining these skills with fieldwork. Thesis and research projects undertaken by faculty and students in the Geology Department at IUPUI reflect this perspective.

Examples of Recent Masters Theses:

• Carnahan, J.W. (1998). Determination of germanium/silicon in freshwater diatoms: separation, cleaning, dissolution and analysis of biogenic opal from an alpine lake sediment core.
• Latimer, J.C. (1998). Dust inputs and biogeochemical cycling in the Southern Ocean on glacial/interglacial time scales.
• Perkins, S.M. (1998). Trace metal contamination of wetland sediments at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana.
• O’Neal, M.A. (1999). A pollen zonation of Southwest Florida using multivariate statistical methods.

CEES FACULTY

RESEARCH FACILITIES
Laboratories

The Department’s research equipment includes an x-ray diffractometer, an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES), an Ion Chromatograph, a UV-VIS scanning spectrophotometer, mercury analyzer, an analytic SEM with wavelength- and energy-dispersive spectrometers for simultaneous micro-structural and chemical imaging, a carbon analyzer, isotope extraction lines, wet-chemistry facilities, fluorescence microscopy and standard polarizing and binocular microscopes, slab saw and thin-sectioning apparatus, vacuum chambers for resin impregnation, soil- and water-analysis equipment. Research equipment shared with other departments includes gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs; infrared and mass spectrometers; transmission electron microscope, and a high-scattering spectrophotometer.