D e p a r t m e n t   o f  G e o g r a p h y  a n d   G e o l o g y ----- G r a d u a t e    S t u d i e s    i n   G e o s c i e n c e

Courses
Plan A (thesis) Tracks
Plan B (non-thesis) Faculty
MA Education Graduate Program
Graduate Catalog News & Info
Request Info FAQ Geo-Careers
Geo-Careers Resources

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN GEOSCIENCE
Plan A: Traditional Thesis Option

Check-list of Major Steps:
1. Admission: Office of Graduate Dean, Form A, and an official transcript from other schools.
2. Submit statement of research interest to the Department Head, detailing what research you are interested in conducting.
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Before admission.
4. Conference with Departmental Graduate Coordinator.
5. Declaration of Intent, Form B/C. File with Graduate College during the first semester of coursework.
6. Receipt of a Program Schedule form to assist students in planning their study.
7. Research Tool: Reading knowledge of a modern foreign language or special Techniques Course (such as a GIS course or computer programming course).
8. Admission to Candidacy, Form D. File after 12 hours of classes and research tool are completed and before the semester of graduation.
9. Application for Degree. File at the beginning of the semester of graduation.
10. A final draft of the thesis submitted to the Committee Chair at least seven weeks before graduation (see timetable).
11. A Final Draft of the thesis submitted to the full Committee at least four weeks before graduation.
12. Final copies of the thesis ready at least three weeks before graduation for submission to the Graduate School reader.
13. Comprehensive written and oral examinations. Taken after a final draft of the thesis is approved.

______________________________________________________________________________

I. Recommended Preliminary Preparation
Undergraduate major or minor (or at least 18 hours) in Geoscience, Geography, Geology, or other acceptable program with a grade point average of approximately "B" (3.0 on 4.0 scale). Students lacking an adequate preparation in the geosciences may be required to take preparation courses before commencing enrolling in graduate-level courses. Suggested preparation courses include 3-6 hours in general geography, at least 4 hours in a lab-based geology course, 3 hours in an introductory GIS course (either GEOG 317 or 319) and a Spatial Statistics course (GEOG 391). Students cannot enroll for GEOG 520 (a core course in the Geoscience Master's program) without completing GEOG 391 and GEOG 317 or 319. An overall undergraduate grade-point average 2.5 is required for admission. Students not eligible for this program may be eligible for the Master of Arts in Education program in which as many as 18 hours may be taken in Geoscience. Undergraduates within 6 hours of the bachelor's degree at Western may be admitted to graduate study if they are eligible for unconditional admission.

II. Admission to the Graduate School
Apply to the Dean of the Graduate School (on Form A) at least 4 weeks before registration.
Submit an official transcript of all college work done at any school other than Western.
File Declaration of Intent (Form B) with the Graduate School.

III. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Should be taken and results sent to the Graduate School prior to admission.
Advanced content GRE tests are not required. See the Graduate Studies Office in Wetherby Administration Building for information about the GRE test.

IV. Conference with Departmental Coordinator
After conference at the Graduate College consult with the Geography and Geology Department's Graduate Coordinator, Room 304, EST. The student's Graduate Advisory Committee will be set up after this meeting or during the first semester of study.

V. Course Requirements
Minimum of 30 hours, including 6 hours of thesis credit. At least 15 of the 24 hours of course work (excluding Geography 599, Thesis Research and Writing), must be done in graduate-only (500-600 level) courses. Geoscience 500, 502, and 520 (12 hours) are required of ALL Geoscience graduate students. All courses must be taught by members of the Graduate Faculty if they are to count for graduate credit. Such 400-level courses carry a G designation in the class schedule and only 9 hours of G-designated courses are allowed. A maximum of 12 hours credit for other graduate coursework may be transferred from another institution. See the current Graduate Bulletin for a statement of University regulations for transfer work.
No correspondence work can be applied toward the degree. Graduate students may not enroll for more than 15 hours in a semester or 12 hours in a summer term of 11 weeks -- or 6 hours in a term of 5 weeks. Graduate assistants are limited to a total of 9-12 hours per semester.

VI. Research Tool Requirement
The ordinary elementary language courses (French 120, 121; German 130, 131, etc.) do not satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Two courses -- French 122 and German 132 -- have been specifically set up to prepare a student to read adequately enough, after a single semester, to pass normal proficiency exams including the Princeton exams. Normally, the proficiency exam is administered at the conclusion of these two courses, since the courses themselves do not constitute the exam. Techniques courses such as Technical Writing, Advanced Math, Computer Programming, Advanced GIS, Remote Sensing, and other applicable courses (with the approval of the Department Head) can satisfy the Research Tool requirement. Consult with your advisor for other appropriate Techniques courses that might satisfy the Research Tool requirement.

VII. Time Limit
All requirements for the degree must be completed within a period of six consecutive years from the date of first enrollment.

VIII. Grade Requirements
Average of B (3.0) in all graduate work.
No credit will be given for D work.
No credit will be given for excess undergraduate work or work taken as a special post- graduate student.

IX. Filing the Graduate Degree Program
The Graduate Degree Program (Form C) must be filed prior to or upon completion of 12 hours of graduate credit. If there are no deficiencies, the student is eligible for admission to full graduate standing. The tentative degree program is worked out as a part of this form. Changes may be made in the program with the approval of the Graduate Advisor on forms available at the Graduate Studies Office.

X. Admission to Candidacy
Admission to Candidacy (Form D) is acted upon by the Graduate Council after the completion of 12 hours and before the semester of graduation with a 3.0 average and the approval of the student's Advisory Committee and the Graduate Dean. Any course required for the research tool must be completed before Admission to Candidacy is approved.

XI. Writing the Thesis
1. The student registers for Geography 599, Thesis Research (3 hours) and Thesis Writing (3 hours), no later than the semester in which he or she graduates. The grade is "Incomplete" until the thesis is accepted. Students cannot commence research or enroll in Thesis hours until a completed and approved Thesis Proposal (Form G) has been submitted.
2. The student should discuss suitable topics with appropriate professors. After these preliminary discussions, the student meets with the Graduate Advisor to discuss and select the thesis topic. Students CANNOT commence research before a thesis proposal has been approved by the committee and a Form G signed and submitted to the Committee Chair (see Timetable form attached).
3. The student's thesis committee is appointed by the Department Head upon the recommendation of the Graduate Advisor. If all of the student's work is in Geoscience, the committee will usually consist of three people of the student's choosing, with a fourth person added by the Department Head. The director of the thesis must be a member of the Graduate Faculty.
4. As soon as possible, and after a close consultation with the thesis director, the student will provide each member of the committee with a detailed thesis proposal (preferable an extension of the proposal completed as part of the requirements for GEOG 500) that:
(a) indicates the nature and scope of the proposed topic and (b) indicates the major sources of research materials which will be used for the study. A member of the committee who has reservations about the topic or the sources or both should make known his or her objections at this stage.
5. As soon as the thesis director is reasonably well satisfied with the thesis draft, the student will circulate it to the other members of the committee for detailed criticism of form, content and method. Later drafts will also circulate if necessary.
6. A complete draft of the thesis is circulated to all members of the committee at least four weeks before the date of graduation. If the steps outlined above have been followed, changes at this stage should be minor. The thesis will follow the style guidelines of the Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition.
7. The Graduate School has a guide sheet for the front pages of the thesis and for mechanical details. Ask for the Guidelines for Master's Thesis and Specialist Project.
8. Three copies of the final thesis must be submitted to the Committee and the original must be submitted to the Graduate School reader at least 3 weeks prior to the date of graduation.
9. If not enrolled in graduate course work, the student must enroll in GEOG600, Maintaining Matriculation, during any semester or summer term in which the thesis is being actively reviewed or the degree is attained.

XII. Comprehensive Written and Oral Examinations
These are oral and written examinations which cover the student's entire graduate program, including the thesis. Neither the written nor the oral exam can be taken until a final draft of the thesis has been approved. See the Graduate Advisor about scheduling the exams. In the written and oral examinations, students will be responsible for demonstrating a detailed knowledge of their research area, the literature pertaining to that research area, and for general knowledge acquired (or expected to be acquired) during the student's graduate training.

XIII. Application for the Degree
Application for the Degree must be filed with the Registrar by the dates established by the Registrar each semester. Students should first check their record with the Graduate Dean. The graduation fee must be paid by this time at the Business Office. The cap and gown are ordered at the College Heights Bookstore at the beginning of the semester in which the degree is to be conferred.

Home Page | Top of Page | Graduate Program

Last Revised: November 14, 2006.
All Contents COPYRIGHT 2006, Western Kentucky University
For comments contact: Department Head-Geography/Geology Department.