Master of Science Degree. The department offers advanced study and research opportunities leading to the MS degree in Geology. There are two MS degrees offered in the Department of Geology.  The first is a traditional, Plan A (Thesis) option, which requires the completion of a significant original research project.  The second is a Plan B (non thesis) option in Applied Environmental Geoscience (AEG), which requires additional coursework from several units on campus, including the Department of Geology, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Plant, Soils and Climate, Department of Watershed Sciences, Department of Biology and Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Geology requires original research in a specific area of geology, demonstration of a breadth of understanding in geology, as well as a depth of understanding in his or her chosen area(s) of emphasis. Potential students must show an ability to do creative research. This research should be carried out over a significant period of time (i.e., at least one year or three semesters in residence). Thus, each successful PhD candidate will produce a significant piece of original research, presented in a written dissertation and defended in an oral examination. This work should be of such scope and quality that more than one journal or conference article can be derived from it.

There are two program specializations/tracks for this degree: academic and professional. The academic specialization is designed to prepare graduates for a career in academia or other teaching-related settings; it includes classroom teaching experience under the supervision of a faculty teaching mentor. The professional specialization is designed to prepare graduates for work in professional careers in the extractive or environmental industries. It may include computational coursework relating to information systems or spatial analysis, and completion of an industry internship is encouraged.