Master’s Degree in Geology

A scientist who studies the solid and also the liquid matter that constitutes our planet as well as the history and processes that has shaped it is named a geologist. Usually geologists engage in studying geology. Studying mostly an applied science and not a theoretical one, geologists should approach geology using knowledge in physics, biology and chemistry as well as other nature sciences.

Masters in Geology

Compared to scientists engaged in other fields, geologists, are usually more exposed not to staying in laboratories but to the outdoors activities; although, of course, some geologists prefer to perform most of their studies in the laboratories.

Geologists are often engaged in working for mining companies in search and exploration of oils, metals, and other natural resources. Geologists are also in the forefront of natural disasters and hazards – mitigation and warning, studying volcanic activity, earthquakes, weather storms, tsunamis, and the like; their studies are very often used to warn the general population of the occurrence of these unfortunate events.

Currently, geologists are also the scientists who are most engaged in the discussion of climate change. They are being the ones who hold the history and evidence for this Earth process.

Geology Specified Fields for Master’s Degree

Geologists may choose the more specifies field of studies and work or research in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Economic geology: the study of ore genesis, and the mechanisms of ore creation, geostatistics.
• Engineering geology: application of the geologic sciences to engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for;
• Geophysics: the applied branch deals with the application of physical methods such as gravity, seismicity, electricity, magnetic properties to study the earth.
• Geochemistry: the applied branch deals with the study of the chemical makeup and behaviour of rocks, and the study of the behaviour of their minerals.
• Geochronology: the study of isotope geology specifically toward determining the date within the past of rock formation, metamorphism, mineralization and geological events (notably, meteorite impacts).
• Geomorphology: the study of landforms and the processes that create them
• Hydrogeology: the study of the origin, occurrence and movement of groundwater water in a subsurface geological system.
• Igneous petrology: the study of igneous processes such as igneous differentiation, fractional crystallization, intrusive and volcanological phenomena .
• Isotope geology: the study of the isotopic composition of rocks to determine the processes of rock and planetary formation.
• Metamorphic petrology: the study of the effects of metamorphism on minerals and rocks.
• Marine geology: the study of the seafloor; involves geophysical, geochemical, sedimentological and paleontological investigations of the ocean floor and coastal margins. Marine geology has strong ties to physical oceanography and plate tectonics.
• Palaeoclimatology: the application of geological science to determine the climatic conditions present in the Earth’s atmosphere within the Earth’s history.
• Palaeontology: the classification and taxonomy of fossils within the geological record and the construction of a palaeontological history of the Earth.
• Pedology: the study of soil, soil formation, and regolith formation.
• Petroleum geology: the study of sedimentary basins applied to the search for hydrocarbons (oil exploration).
• Sedimentology: the study of sedimentary rocks, strata, formations, eustasy and the processes of modern day sedimentary and erosive systems.
• Structural geology: the study of folds, faults, foliation and rock microstructure to determine the deformational history of rocks and regions.
• Volcanology: the study of volcanoes, their eruptions, lavas, magma processes and hazards.

A master’s degree in geology leads to both well paid and exciting jobs in the science, oil industry or engineering. Very often the Departments of Geology in the universities cooperate with famous industrial partners in the fields of research and education. After the education is completed, master degree student is awarded with qualification Master of Science in Geology. Admission to the master´s program in geology in most cases requires a bachelor’s degree in geology. It can also be another degree following a program of study of, at the very least, three years.

Geology Master’s Study Program

Also it must be taken in consideration that specialization in geology is required. Usually, an average mark of “C” or better is being required on the bachelor’s degree or other program for the admission basis. The master’s study program usually inludes the following lines of study: Structural Geology, Sedimentology and Quarternary Geologym Arctic Marine Geology and Geophysics. Completed master´s degree studies can qualify for admission to PhD-studies in geology. It depends on satisfactory marks in the bachelor’s and master’s degree.

By the start of the first semester, each master degree in Geology or Geophysics student will have a main advisor who will help to select, according to wishes of the student, additional member or members of the Guidance and Evaluation Committee. To attend, each candidate must have a thesis advisor and not later than the start of his/her second semester in graduate study.

The usual Master’s degree program in geology takes no longer than two years to finish; candidates working towards a single master degree should obtain their degrees at the latest by the end of 5 full semesters of credit (and summers are excluded). The Guidance and Evaluation Committee (consists of continuing students only) after that will decide whether or not the student is being approved to continue toward the Ph.D. degree in geophysics or geology.