Master of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Students can choose a program of study leading to either the designated master's degree (with thesis) or the undesignated master's degree (without thesis). General requirements for both degrees are found in this catalog under "Information for Graduate Students." In either program of study, students can specialize in atmospheric chemistry, aerosols, and clouds; dynamics of weather and climate; geochemistry; geophysics; oceanography; paleoclimate; planetary science; and remote sensing. With approval of the School's faculty, multidisciplinary programs of study are also permitted. Students entering the master's degree program need an academic background that includes a minimum of one year of university-level courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics. Students who lack this academic background are required to complete appropriate remedial courses, for which they will not receive graduate credit.

 

Thesis Option

Core Courses12
EAS 6000-level or above
Elective courses in major area
EAS 4000-level or above6
Undesignated courses (may include thesis hours)6
EAS 7000Master's Thesis6
Total Credit Hours30
1

A maximum of 3 credit hour may be taken under the Pass/Fail designation (except for thesis hours)

2

Thesis hours are only taken on a Pass/Fail designation and cannot be used to fulfill the credit hour requirements for a non-thesis degree

Non-Thesis Option

Core Courses12
EAS 6000-level or above
Elective courses in major area
EAS 4000-level or above6
EAS 6000-level or above9
EAS 8901Special Problems 13
Total Credit Hours30
1

Course under the form of a research project supervised by the student's EAS advisor and culminating in a written final report

BS/MS Option

The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers a BSMS Option available to undergraduate students in the BS in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, BS in Environmental Science, or BS in Solid Earth and Planetary Sciences programs.

To be eligible for the BS/MS option, students must submit a formal application and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants are also required to complete at least 90 undergraduate credit hours prior to applying. 

Students must maintain a cumulative 2.7 GPA once admitted as per Institute Master’s requirements.

Students may apply up to 6 credit hours of EAS courses (or, courses outside of EAS as approved by EAS advisors) completed at the undergraduate level to the Master's degree.