Offered by: College of Science, Geological Sciences
Program Description
Our Master’s program in Geology prepares graduates for employment in all fields of Geological Science, and teaching at secondary and community college levels. Emphasis is placed on applied skills demanded by potential employers. Fundamental to the program is a thorough understanding of basic geologic principles rooted in field and laboratory experiences. The geologic framework provided by the M.S. degree will enable graduates to meet the intellectual challenges of their professional or academic careers and assume leadership roles in their profession. The program is sufficiently flexible to meet student interests in the application of geology to the solution of hydrologic, geophysical, environmental, geoengineering, or resource extraction problems facing our society. As a polytechnic university we are dedicated to the “Learn by Doing” philosophy and stress practical interactions between students, faculty and industry/government professionals.
The Geological Sciences Department is a member of IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology, http://www.iris.edu/hq/, and is involved in the California State University Water Resources and Policy Initiative, http://www.calstate.edu/water/. Faculty research endeavors are supported by grants from such agencies as National Science Foundation, USGS National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, Southern California Earthquake Center, Department of Education, and JPL/Caltech. The department maintains a robust alumni network, including many individuals who work in local geosciences industries and government agencies.
www.cpp.edu/~sci/geological-sciences/masters-program/
Jonathan A. Nourse, Graduate Coordinator
Location
Our location in a unique geologic and urban environment provides a dramatic natural laboratory in which to conduct geological research. Frequent occurrences of earthquakes, landslides, storms, floods, wildfires, and human-induced environmental mishaps in the densely populated region surrounding Cal Poly Pomona present significant challenges that require rapid response and evaluation. All Geological Sciences faculty play an important role in community issues like natural hazards mitigation, site investigation, resource management, and public outreach or education. Many of our graduates are placed locally as scientists in geotechnical firms and water agencies or as teachers in primary or secondary schools. Hence, the Geological Sciences Department and its programs have great value and relevance to the University and the community.
Our Target Audience
A Master’s degree in Geology greatly enhances the job opportunities and career advancement for Earth scientists with BS degrees. We target both working professionals and traditional graduate students (i.e., those finishing BS degrees and perhaps seeking a stepping stone to a PhD program). Both cohorts would benefit equally from our thesis-based Master’s program with an affordable fee structure. Course scheduling will accommodate both groups; e.g., afternoon and evening classes with many laboratories and field trips offered on weekends.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates from the Geology Master’s degree program should be able to:
- Participate effectively in seminar-style discussions of current Geoscience topics
- Synthesize details of published Geoscience literature and present oral synopsis to graduate peers and faculty
- Utilize contemporary equipment, laboratory techniques and computer technology to solve geologic problems
- Develop and present scientific proposal for Master’s thesis
- Conduct original research related to Master’s thesis
- Write Master’s thesis document
- Defend results of Master’s thesis research with a formal oral presentation to graduate peers and thesis committee
