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, placement into prestigious PhD programs, and teaching at secondary and community college levels. We emphasize applied skills demanded by potential employers and academic institutions. Fundamental to the program is a thorough understanding of basic geologic principles rooted in field and laboratory experiences. The geologic framework provided by the MS 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, geo-engineering, 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. Please see our Geology MS home page for additional information:
http://www.cpp.edu/~sci/geological-sciences/masters-program/index.shtml
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.
Career Opportunities
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 preparation for a PhD program). Through hands-on learning methods, faculty-mentored research, and exposure to current technology, our students acquire skills applicable to careers in the Geosciences and related disciplines. The Department’s programs provide a global perspective for problem solving, decision making and leadership roles in a changing world. Our graduates commonly land jobs in the geotechnical, hydrogeology, and resource development industries; Others enter career paths in natural hazards investigation and mitigation.
Please refer to our Careers web page for some examples of Geoscience jobs:
http://www.cpp.edu/~sci/geological-sciences/students/careers.shtml
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
