A&S—Geology and Planetary Science
The department offers programs that lead to the MS or PhD in geology and planetary science and an MS in geographical information systems. The principal objective of the graduate programs is to provide a broad and strong foundation upon which students may base careers. The PhD program is designed to educate scientists for basic or applied research and teaching. Graduate research may involve specialization in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, planetary science, and environmental science. Contact Information
- Department Chair: William Harbert
- Main Office: 200 Space Research and Coordination Center
- 412-624-8780
- Fax: 412-624-3914
- E-mail: geology@pitt.edu
- www.geology.pitt.edu, http://pro-ms.geology.pitt.edu
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Research and Facilities
Please visit www.geology.pitt.edu/research.html
to find out more about the Department of Geology and Planetary
Science research projects and facilities. Details of our Alfred
P. Sloan Foundation–supported Professional Master’s in
Geographical Information Systems can be found at
http://pro-ms.geology.pitt.edu.
Prospective graduate students must meet School of Arts and Sciences
requirements for entrance into graduate programs.
Financial assistance for graduate students is provided in the form of teaching and research appointments, fellowships, traineeships, tuition scholarships, and loans.
Requirements for the Master’s Degree in Geology and Planetary Sciences
The Master of Science requires completion of a minimum of 24 credits of which 18 must be formal lecture classes. Six credits of thesis research are also required, as is a comprehensive examination. Students must present a thesis showing marked accomplishment in the field of their major subject and competency in the methods and techniques of scientific investigation. The thesis is to be the result of an independent investigation conducted by the student. There is an oral defense of the thesis as well as a formal departmental seminar presentation. All MS theses shall serve as sources of published material. All graduate students must be on active status and registered in the term of graduation. Active status is defined as one credit of registration in a 12-month period.
The Professional MS degree requires completion of 41 credits; details are provided at the above link. A thesis is not required for this degree. Students in the program are not eligible for financial assistance through the department.
Requirements for the PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy requires completion of 72 credits of which 36 must be formal lecture and laboratory courses. Completion of a preliminary evaluation by the beginning of the second year is required in order to guide selection of remaining courses. Upon successfully completing the preliminary evaluation and required course work, and after beginning dissertation research, the comprehensive examination must be taken before the end of the third year; students entering with a master’s degree should take the exam during the second year. The comprehensive examination consists of two parts: preparation of two written research proposals and an oral examination. The comprehensive examination must be passed at least eight months before the PhD is awarded. If the degree is not completed within three calendar years after passing the examination, students must repeat the examination unless exempted upon the recommendation of their doctoral committee with the approval of the department chair.
After completion of the comprehensive examination, students should consult with their major advisor and propose a dissertation committee. After the specific dissertation topic has been chosen and data collection begun, the student must schedule a dissertation overview. The student shall schedule a dissertation overview once per year.
Each student must write and present a dissertation. The dissertation shall be defended during a departmental meeting with the dissertation committee and shall be presented at a public departmental seminar. The degree shall be awarded upon submission of the results for publication as a peer-reviewed article in an acceptable journal.
There is no formal language requirement, although individual advisors may require a reading knowledge of a foreign language.
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