Earth and Environmental Sciences

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Mailing Address:
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MC 186)
845 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7059

Campus Location: 2440 SES
Program Codes: 20FS1174MS (MS); 20FS1174PHD (PhD)
Telephone: (312) 996-3154
E-mail: klnagy@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/depts/geos/
Head of the Department: Neil C. Sturchio
Director of Graduate Studies: Kathryn L. Nagy

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers work leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Both programs are based in an earth and environmental science curriculum, but applicants with interdisciplinary natural science backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants should meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Baccalaureate Field Earth science, environmental science, other natural or physical sciences, or engineering (also applies to those applicants having an MS degree). Students from other areas are also encouraged to apply if their backgrounds indicate a reasonable chance for success in the program.
Prerequisites Students entering with an MS degree in the sciences can receive up to 32 hours of credit toward the PhD. Highly qualified students lacking in one or more of the prerequisites may be considered for admission under “limited standing” with specific additional prescribed courses. Prerequisites for all applicants are listed below:

Baccalaureate degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences, related science or engineering field, or other (in special cases)
Chemistry (1 year)
Physics (1 year)
Calculus (1 year)

Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
Tests Required GRE General. (For PhD, individual scores of at least 600. For master’s, combined verbal and quantitative scores of at least 1100).
Minimum English Competency Test Score

TOEFL For PhD, 600 (paper-based); 250 (computer-based). For master’s, 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.

Letters of Recommendation Three required, preferably from professors familiar with the applicant’s academic work. Letters should be sent to the director of graduate studies.
Personal Statement Required. Personal statement should be sent to the director of graduate studies.
Deadlines February 1 for fall semester admission and July 15 for spring semester admission. To be considered for fellowships, submit all materials at least two weeks before these deadlines.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
Course Work Twelve of the 32 hours must be in the student’s major area, as set forth in the departmental graduate handbook. No more than 4 of these hours may be taken in EAES 596. Twelve additional hours must be taken in departmental courses from outside the major area. With departmental consent, 400- or 500-level courses outside the department may be taken to fulfill this requirement. Each course must be taken for a letter grade, not on a credit / no credit basis. At least 9 of the 32 hours must be in 500-level courses, excluding EAES 595, EAES 596 and EAES 598.
Comprehensive Examination None.
Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis required. No other options are available.
Thesis: No more than 8 hours of EAES 598 can be applied to the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

Minimum Semester Hours Required 104 past the baccalaureate are required (44 thesis hours, 8 seminar hours, and 52 course hours).
Course Work Out of the 52 course hours, at least 24 hours are to be selected from the list of core courses, and at least 20 hours are to be selected as elective courses in EAES or from the relevant offerings of other departments and colleges. Each course must be taken for a letter grade, not on a credit / no credit basis. At least 24 hours must be taken at the 500-level, excluding EAES 599 and EAES 595. Entering students are required to have completed courses in physics, chemistry, and calculus. A maximum of 32 hours of course work may be transferred in from a previous master’s.
Examinations Departmental Qualifying Examination: Required.

Preliminary Examination: Required.
Dissertation Required. Students must earn at least 44 semester hours in EAES 599 (dissertation research).