• The Department of Geological Sciences offers Master of Science (MS) and doctoral (Ph.D.) degree programs.  
  • Typically, entering students have to complete at least 24 semester hours of basic courses in geological sciences and two semesters each of chemistry, physics, and calculus.
  • These are intended as recommendations, rather than strictly enforced requirements for admission. 
  • This is a research-oriented department affiliated with a number of research institutes and research centers, including the Cooperative Institute for Environmental Research (CIRES), the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), the Center for Astrobiology, the Energy and Minerals Applied Research Center (EMARC), and the University Museum.
  • Related areas of study are geography, astrophysical and planetary sciences, atmospheric and oceanic sciences, chemistry, physics, geophysics, microbiology, ecology and evolutionary biology.
  • Degree programs for incoming graduate students are individually designed according to research efforts of the faculty. Because competition for admission is keen, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.