• Definition of an original scientific problem
• Collection of data
• Interpretation of results

Clear presentation of results and interpretation in writing with clear figures

 

Thesis Readers:

• Theses must be approved by two readers -- your advisor and one other reader (called the "second reader") of your choice. Your advisor must be a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Geology. The second reader may be another graduate faculty member in the department, or may be an adjunct member of the faculty, or may be a member of another department in the University. Both readers must approve and sign the thesis in order for it to be officially accepted.
• You may have a third reader from a relevant campus unit (e.g., the ISGS or another department) or from off campus -- i.e., the third reader is optional. The third reader can help advise the work, and may sign the thesis, but does not vote on its acceptibility.
• Be sure to choose the second reader (and third reader, if desired) early during your research. Keep all readers up to date on your progress. It is best to show both your advisor and the other reader(s) chapters of your thesis as you proceed, so there are no surprises.

Completion Procedures for the M.S. Standard Option:

Thesis Colloquium: When you have completed your research to the point where you can communicate the important conclusions, you must schedule a thesis colloquium (do this with Barb Elmore). The thesis colloquium lasts for 30 to 50 minutes, during which you make an oral presentation describing your thesis work, your results, and your interpretation to your fellow students and interested faculty. The thesis colloquium must be presented during a spring or fall semester while classes are in session.

Students should generally plan to give their thesis colloquium during the academic year. In rare cases when a student must present the colloquium during the summer session, they must petition the Graduate Studies Committee (internal departmental petition) for approval. In general, the thesis colloquium comes after your advisor and second reader have read the thesis. But if the thesis will not be completed until the summer, and the advisor approves, the student may present the thesis colloquium in the spring before their writing is totally complete.

Thesis Completion and Signing: After you complete your oral presentation (in many cases, immediately after), you must meet with your advisor and your second reader, preferably at the same time. If your oral presentation occurs significantly before you complete the written thesis, the meeting will be delayed until the written thesis is complete. During this meeting, the readers will discuss any remaining questions about the research, and point out any final changes in the thesis that need to be made. If there are no changes needed, they will sign the red-border form (available from Barb Elmore). This signifies acceptence of the thesis. They may, alternatively, request that you make some changes, and can delay signing until you have made the corrections. Finally, you must obtain the signature of the Department Head on the red-border form.

Depositing your Thesis: The University requires that thesis meet certain format criteria. You formally complete the requirements for the degree when you deposit at the Graduate College. You must deposit multiple copies. See Barb Elmore so that she can do a format check and can provide you with the official college ("red bordered") signature pages.

Applied Geology Option

The option is intended as a terminal degree for students training for professional work in environmental and engineering geology and applied geophysics. After completion of this degree option, admission to the Ph.D. program can only be obtained by reapplying for admission. Students with strong backgrounds (e.g., graduates from the geology, environmental, and geophysics undergraduate options in Geology at UIUC) may be able to complete this option in one academic year and one summer session, but generally it will take two years. Students in this option may do their research projects with staff from the ISGS. Students must declare their intent to pursue the non-thesis option at least one semester prior to completing the degree requirements.

Advisor Requirement:

The student's program must be developed with the academic advisor and approved by the advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee. The advisor is responsible for monitoring the student's program and indicating that all the degree requirements have been satisfied.

Basic Program:

10 units of credit required, including at least 8 units of formal course work

• 1 unit of research/independent study (Geology 493) required, with a written report
• At least 3 units of the formal course work must be completed in the Department
• At least 3 units must be completed at the 400 level
• No more than 2 credits are allowed for 300-level courses required in any of the options of the Curriculum in Geology and Geophysics at UIUC (i.e., students with insufficient backgrounds should not be allowed to pursue this option)
• Credits from UIUC undergraduate work cannot be included

Written Report:

The written report for the Applied Geology Option is not as involved as a thesis, but must demonstrate the student's ability to work independently, communicate scientific ideas, and present a polished written product. The report must be read by the advisor and a second reader (the second reader may be from the Geology Department or from a relevant campus unit, e.g., the ISGS or the Civil Engineering Dept.). Both readers should be kept informed of the students progress throughout the project.

Reports are generally between 20 and 40 pages in length, including figures. The report may be:

• A documented case study with well supported conclusions
• A "report to management" with supported recommendations
• A description of the students research in a thesis format ("mini-thesis")

The report must represent an original piece of work. Rehashed term papers from courses are not acceptable. As always, good scientific writing practices should be followed.

 

Report Completion and Signing: Upon completion of the report, and after the readers have had an opportunity to read the report, the student must make a 20 to 30 minute oral presentation of the report to the two readers. This presentation can be open to the department at the option of the student. This presentation will be followed by a meeting with readers. If, at this time, the readers consider the report to be acceptable, they will sign the departmental signature sheet (obtained from Barb Elmore). The readers may, alternatively, require corrections before signing, or they may reject the report. Once the report has been signed by the two readers, the student must then obtain the signature of the Department Head. The signed copy must be deposited with Barb Elmore who will place the report in the department's files. Upon deposit, the requirements for the applied geology option are complete.

Teaching of Earth Sciences Option

This degree option is intended for those intending to teach earth science or physical sciences at the high school level.

• 8 units required, including 4 units in geology/geophysics
• 2 units required in other earth science areas (e.g., Astronomy, Geography, or Atmospheric Science)
• 2 units required in education
• At least 3 units at the 400 level are required
• Must fulfill requirements to be certified to teach secondary school in Illinois
• Credits from UIUC undergraduate work cannot be included

A written report or thesis is not required for this degree.

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