Master of Science in Geosciences

Chair: George W. Kipphut.
Faculty: Cetin, Homsey, Hong, Kipphut, Ortmann, Wesler, Yorke, Zhang.

The Department of Geosciences offers the Master of Science in Geosciences degree with thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires 30 credit hours of course work including six hours of thesis. The non-thesis option includes 33 hours of course work plus written and oral examinations. Both options require proficiency in statistical analysis. The program prepares students for positions in the public and private sectors or for additional graduate study.

The Masters in Geosciences focuses upon remote sensing, digital image processing, and geographic and archaeological information systems. Graduate students work closely with faculty on research projects that provide valuable practical experience, enhance employment opportunities, and support continued graduate education. The Department has close ties with the Mid-America Remote sensing Center (MARC), a center dedicated to teaching, research, and service to the community in remote sensing and GIS. Research opportunities are also available at the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, the Murray State Archaeology Laboratory, and the Watershed Studies Institute (WSI) where water-related research is conducted.

Prospective applicants should consult the MSU Graduate School website for general requirements and admissions procedures. The Geosciences department accepts applications for enrollment in fall semester, because our fall classes are the foundation for all further work. Admission in the spring is restricted to students who have a very strong background in remote sensing and GIS already. We do not admit students for a summer session, because we do not teach graduate classes in the summer. No prospective student should apply without first contacting the Graduate Coordinator for additional information and guidance.

Graduate Coordinator: Kit W. Wesler
     Location: 355 Blackburn Science Bldg.
    Phone: (270) 809-3457
    E-mail: kwesler@murraystate.edu

Chair: George W. Kipphut
     Location: 335 Blackburn Science Bldg.
     Phone: (270) 809-2847
     E-mail: gkipphut@murraystate.edu

Suggested Program for Grads

Master of Science Degree in Geosciences

Requirements for Admission
Applicants must meet the Murray State University requirements (see Chapter 2). The Department requires submission of three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a letter discussing the applicant’s background and reasons for being interested in the program before an application will be reviewed. Additional requirements for unconditional and conditional admission are as follows.

Unconditional
To qualify for unconditional admission, an applicant must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in a geoscience (or related) field and a composite GRE score (V+Q) of 1,000 old scale or 300 new scale.

Conditional
Students admitted conditionally are admitted to full standing after completing (1) any remedial courses required by the graduate faculty and (2) one semester of graduate work with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.

THESIS TRACK

Total Course Requirements 30 hours

GSC 612 Introduction to Remote Sensing

GSC 619 Seminar in Research Techniques
GSC 621 Geographic Information Systems
GSC 640 Advanced Remote Sensing
GSC 680 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GSC 696 Understanding Scientific Communication
GSC courses at 600-level (3 hrs)
GSC or related courses at 600-level (2 hrs)
GSC 698-699 Thesis Research

Other Degree Requirements
• Proficiency in quantitative methods through MAT 665.
• Oral defense of thesis.

NON-THESIS TRACK

Total Course Requirements 33 hours
Same as above with the following substitution for thesis:

GSC courses, at 600-level increase to 6 hrs
GSC or related courses at 600-level increase to 8 hrs

Other Degree Requirements
• Proficiency in quantitative methods through MAT 665.
• Written and oral comprehensive examinations.

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