Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Earth Sciences M.S.Department of Earth Sciences
College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, John T. Tate Hall-Suite 150, 116 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-1333; fax: 612-625-3819)
Email:
esci@umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The modern earth sciences are a remarkable synthesis of the physical and biological sciences. They are at the forefront of inquiry into and solutions of most of the major issues involving the global environment: climate, oceans, freshwater in all its forms, natural resources, and natural disasters. Like no other field, they integrate all the systems, from surface to great depth, from physics to chemistry to biology, and over all of geologic time and all geographic scales. The program includes the fields of structural geology, tectonics, petrology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, sedimentology, surface processes, geochemistry, geobiochemistry, geobiology, chemical oceanography, mineralogy, mineral and rock magnetism, rock and mineral physics, geodynamics, seismology, geostatistics, planetary geology, and geophysics and applied geophysics. Students may accommodate other areas of interest such as engineering geology, environmental geology, materials science, soil science, and paleoecology by choosing a minor or supporting field from outside the program.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
A bachelor's degree in geology, geophysics, earth and material sciences, chemistry, physics, biology, or environmental science.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
At least one year each of study in calculus, chemistry, and physics is required. In general, an outstanding academic record is expected.
Special Application Requirements:
Materials required for a complete application file include the student's statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, official GRE scores, and the Application for Admission. Applications are considered at any time; however, to be considered for financial aid, all materials must be submitted by December 15. Studies may begin in any semester or summer session, although fall semester is preferable.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
14
major credits,
6
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
14 to 22
major credits and
8 to 16
credits outside the major.
The final exam is written and oral.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:Students must demonstrate familiarity with the tools of research or scholarship in their track, the ability to work independently, and the ability to present the results of their investigation effectively, by completing one or more projects, which may take the form of a research paper, presentation of research results, or completion of a faculty-supervised research experience. The Plan B project(s) should involve a minimum combined total of approximately 120 hours (the equivalent of three full-time weeks) of work.
Plan C: Plan C requires
14 to 21
major credits and
9 to 16
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At the onset of studies, a coursework "compact" will be developed with the student, their advisor, and the graduate studies committee. The compact will be reviewed annually to assure timely progress and revise as needed.
The master’s degree is offered under Plan A (thesis), Plan B (project), or Plan C (coursework). Plan A and Plan B students must choose one of five tracks in the earth sciences program: geology, geophysics, biogeology, hydrogeology, or earth sciences. Plan C students may only choose the hydrogeology track. Tracks carry coursework requirements that are part of the student's course compact.
Coursework taken A/F must be completed with an average grade of B or better.
Outside Coursework (6 to 9 credits)
Plan A students select 6 credits, Plan B students select 8 credits, and Plan C students select 9 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor. Other courses may be applied to this requirement with director of graduate studies approval.
ANTH 5403 - Quantitative Methods in Biological Anthropology
(4.0 cr)
CEGE 4501 - Hydrologic Design
(4.0 cr)
CEGE 4512 - Open Channel Hydraulics
(3.0 cr)
CEGE 5541 - Environmental Water Chemistry
(3.0 cr)
CEGE 5551 - Environmental Microbiology
(3.0 cr)
CEGE 5552 - Environmental Microbiology Laboratory
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 4501 - Introduction to Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Statistical Mechanics
(3.0 cr)
CSCI 5304 - Computational Aspects of Matrix Theory
(3.0 cr)
CSCI 5521 - Machine Learning Fundamentals
(3.0 cr)
CSCI 5609 - Visualization
(3.0 cr)
EE 5531 - Probability and Stochastic Processes
(3.0 cr)
EE 5571 - Statistical Learning and Inference
(3.0 cr)
EEB 5053 - Ecology: Theory and Concepts
(4.0 cr)
EEB 5407 - Ecology
(3.0 cr)
EEB 5601 - Limnology
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 5402 - Biometeorology
(3.0 cr)
FNRM 5114 - Hydrology and Watershed Management
(3.0 cr)
FNRM 5131 - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources
(4.0 cr)
FNRM 5203 - Forest Fire and Disturbance Ecology
(3.0 cr)
FNRM 5262 - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment
(3.0 cr)
LAAS 5311 - Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy
(3.0 cr)
LAAS 5425 - Atmospheric Processes I: Thermodynamics and Dynamics of the Atmosphere
(3.0 cr)
LAAS 5426 - Atmospheric Processes II: Radiation, Composition, and Climate
(3.0 cr)
LAAS 5515 - Soil Formation: Earth Surface Processes and Biogeochemistry
(3.0 cr)
LAAS 5621 - Environmental Genomics and Microbiomes
(3.0 cr)
MATH 5485 - Introduction to Numerical Methods I
(4.0 cr)
MATH 5486 - Introduction To Numerical Methods II
(4.0 cr)
MATS 5517 - Microscopy of Materials
(3.0 cr)
MATS 8001 - Structure and Symmetry of Materials
(3.0 cr)
MATS 8002 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics
(3.0 cr)
MATS 8003 - Electronic Properties
(3.0 cr)
STAT 8101 - Theory of Statistics 1
(3.0 cr)
STAT 8102 - Theory of Statistics 2
(3.0 cr)
Electives
Select courses from the following, as needed to complete the minimum number of course credits required.
ESCI 4203 - Environmental Geophysics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4204 - Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4211 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4212 - Geodynamics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4401 - Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4402 - Biogeochemical Cycles in the Ocean
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4501 - Structural Geology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4502 - Tectonic Styles
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4602 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4701 - Geomorphology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 4702 - General Hydrogeology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 4703 - Glacial Geology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 4801 - Geomicrobiology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4911 - Advanced Field Geology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 5093 {Inactive}
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ESCI 5102 - Climate Change and Human History
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5201 - Time-Series Analysis of Geological Phenomena
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5203 - Mineral and Rock Physics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5204 - Geostatistics and Inverse Theory
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5302 - Isotope Geology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5351 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5353 - Electron Microprobe Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5402 - Science and Politics of Global Warming
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5403 - Computer Applications in Earth & Environmental Sciences
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5503 - Advanced Petrology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5705 - Limnogeology and Paleoenvironment
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5805 - Standards and Practices for Professional Geoscienists
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5971 - Field Hydrogeology
(2.0 cr)
ESCI 5980 - Seminar: Current Topics in Earth Sciences
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ESCI 8203 - Environmental Geophysics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8204 - Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8243 - Principles of Rock Magnetism
(1.0-3.0 cr)
ESCI 8353 - Phase Equilibrium in Mineral Systems
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8354 - Igneous Petrology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8355 - Metamorphic Petrology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8401 - Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8402 - Biogeochemical Cycles in the Ocean
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8501 - Structural Geology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 8502 - Tectonic Styles
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8511 - Mechanics of Sediment Transport
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8601 - Introduction to Stream Restoration
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8602 - Stream Restoration Practice
(2.0 cr)
ESCI 8701 - Geomorphology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 8712 - Transport Phenomena and Analytical Geohydrology
(3.0-4.0 cr)
ESCI 8718 - Numerical Methods in Hydrogeology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 8801 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8970 - Seminar: Current Topics in Earth Sciences
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ESCI 8994 - Research in Earth Sciences
(1.0-4.0 cr)
Plan Options
-OR-
Plan B (0-3 credits)
Up to 3 credits of ESCI 8994 may be used for the Plan B project requirement.
ESCI 8994 - Research in Earth Sciences
(1.0-4.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan C
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Biogeology
This sub-plan is limited to students completing the program under Plan A or Plan B.
Biogeology represents a rapidly growing area at the intersection between Earth and the life sciences. It includes research in microbial evolution and biochemistry, microbe/mineral chemical interactions, the role of organisms in basic geological processes, the principles through which organisms or organic compounds can be used to reconstruct surface conditions, biogeochemical cycling, pollution control and remediation, the origin of life on Earth, and astrobiology.
Required Courses (6 credits)
Take the following courses:
ESCI 8402 - Biogeochemical Cycles in the Ocean
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8801 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Earth Sciences
This sub-plan is limited to students completing the program under Plan A or Plan B.
This generalist track exists for students whose curriculum and/or thesis, paper, or project do not fit any of the other four tracks. A curriculum specific to the student will be set through the compact process.
Required Courses (6 credits)
Select 6 credits from the following:
ESCI 4xxx
ESCI 5xxx
ESCI 8xxx
Geology
This sub-plan is limited to students completing the program under Plan A or Plan B.
Geology uses field observation, laboratory work, analog and computer modeling, chemical and biological probes and assays to understand Earth's coupled rock, water and biological systems, the underlying processes, and their history of interaction as evidenced in the rock record.
Geophysics
This sub-plan is limited to students completing the program under Plan A or Plan B.
Geophysics uses remote sensing probes (seismic waves, potential fields, etc.), laboratory simulation of deep earth conditions and computer modeling of fluid and continuum mechanical dynamics to investigate the structure, composition, history and dynamics of solid Earth and other planets.
Required Courses (6 credits)
Take the following course:
ESCI 4211 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Select 3 credits from the following:
ESCI 4212 - Geodynamics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5201 - Time-Series Analysis of Geological Phenomena
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5203 - Mineral and Rock Physics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5204 - Geostatistics and Inverse Theory
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8203 - Environmental Geophysics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8204 - Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
(3.0 cr)
Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology uses direct observation and remote sensing, computer modeling and laboratory simulation to constrain the interaction of water and rock in Earth's shallow subsurface. Freshwater is Earth's most precious and increasingly overexploited resource. Hydrogeology is a key discipline in the effective shepherding of this important reserve. This track establishes a baseline curriculum for hydrogeology at the graduate level. The compact process will identify additional coursework appropriate to the student's prior training and research directions.
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Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 30.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 3501/4501 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3114/FNRM 5114 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3131/FNRM 5131/FR 3131/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3203/FNRM 5203 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3262/FNRM 5262 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4203/ESci 8203 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4212/ESci 8212 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4401/ESci 8401 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4402/ESci 8402 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 3002/ESci 5102 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 5353/MatS 5353 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 3402/ESci 5402 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4971W/ESci 5971 |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4203/ESci 8203 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4204/ESci 8204 |
Prerequisites: | 2201, Phys 1302, [Math 1272 or #] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4401/ESci 8401 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4402/ESci 8402 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4501/ESci 8501 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4502/ESci 8502 |
Prerequisites: | 4501 or 8501 or # |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CE 8511/ESci 8511 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CEGE 8601/EEB 8601/ESci 8601 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CEGE 8602/EEB 8602/ESci 8602 |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4701/ESci 8701 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 32.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 30.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 30.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4402/ESci 8402 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 5353/MatS 5353 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4212/ESci 8212 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4203/ESci 8203 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4204/ESci 8204 |
Prerequisites: | 2201, Phys 1302, [Math 1272 or #] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4971W/ESci 5971 |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |