The Geoscience program from University of North Carolina Wilmington includes both a thesis and non-thesis option, both of which provide a foundation for employment in the geological, geospatial technology, and environmental fields, mineral and energy industries, and government agencies. 

In addition, the thesis option prepares students for advanced study leading to the doctoral degree while the non-thesis option provides a foundation for employment as entry-level professional geoscientists. Completion of the non-thesis option with a geology concentration assists students toward professional licensure in geology.

Specific goals of the program are to provide advanced research and educational opportunities in the geosciences, and to prepare geoscientists for solving contemporary problems in Earth, ocean and environmental science. 

Specific objectives are: 

• to develop research competence in geoscience; 

• to develop professional competence in the assessment of water, energy and mineral resource potentials through the integrated analysis of geological and geographical data using advanced technologies; 

• to develop a level of research competence in geoscience that encourages continued effort towards the doctoral degree; and, 

• to provide the scientific community with meaningful geologic, geographic, and oceanographic data.