Graduate Student Master Degrees

M.S. Degree with thesis in Geosciences

The M.S. in Geosciences with thesis is typically a nonterminal degree completed by some students before seeking Ph.D. candidacy. This means that the Department of Geosciences expects the candidate to continue forward for a Ph.D. program. All requirements for the M.S. degree must be completed within a period of three years after entry. There are no residence or language requirements.

1. Course Requirements:

Students must successfully complete a program of 30 graduate credits, including a minimum of 18 credits in approved academic courses. A student must achieve a 3.0 overall grade point average in all graduate courses taken at Stony Brook to receive a degree.

2. M.S. Thesis:

An M.S. thesis proposal of no more than two pages must be submitted to the graduate committee at the end of the first year. The proposal must be signed by two faculty members, one of whom must be designated as a potential sponsor of the research and research advisor. After the proposal has been accepted, the student may proceed with the preparation of the M.S. thesis.

When the M.S. thesis is nearing completion, the student's advisor asks the graduate committee to appoint a defense committee. This committee consists of three experts in the field who hold Ph.D.s, at least two of whom must be members of the program faculty. Within two weeks of receiving the thesis, the defense committee decides whether the thesis is defensible. If it is, an oral thesis defense is scheduled.

The M.S. thesis defense consists of a short public presentation of the major results of the thesis. This is followed by a closed examination that may cover any topic within the student's general field of study, but generally concentrates upon the thesis topic. The thesis defense committee may vote to accept the thesis, return it to the student for revisions, or reject it outright.

• The M.S. degree in Geosciences is typically not a terminal degree. Many students seeking Ph.D. candidacy first earn an M.S. degree. Students become candidates for the Ph.D. in Geosciences by completing preparatory work leading to successful completion of the Ph.D. preliminary examination. For information on the Geo Ph.D program, Click Here.

M.S. Degree with a concentration in Hydrology

The non-thesis M.S. program with a concentration in hydrogeology is designed to give those with a B.S. degree in physical sciences a solid foundation of theoretical and practical graduate training emphasizing the physical and geochemical aspects of hydrogeology. Coursework and a final research project totaling 30 graduate credits are arranged to accommodate working professionals, with most courses taught in the evenings. This is a part-time degree program. A formal thesis is not required. Coursework includes groundwater hydrology, aqueous geochemistry, rock and soil physics, numerical hydrology, statistics and probability, and organic contaminant hydrology. Final research projects are arranged individually with faculty supervisors and are designed to give students experience in field, laboratory, or theoretical approaches. 

Download the M.S. Program with Concentration in Hydrology Guide for more details.

M.A.T. Degree in Earth Science

The Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Science leads to provisional certification for teaching earth science in secondary schools in New York State. It also prepares the student for the examination for permanent certification. There is no residence requirement. Students must complete at least one year of college-level study of a foreign language. Students interested in the M.A.T. program must apply through the School of Professional Development. Apply here: School of Professional Development.
Further information on the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Earth Science See link: M.A.T. in Earth Sciences
and contact Professor Gilbert Hanson, Room 310 ESS Building, Tel. (631) 632-8210, Email: gilbert.hanson@sunysb.edu

• Formal Coursework:

Students are required to complete with an average grade of B or higher 15 credits in earth science courses and 27 credits in pedagogical courses and teaching experience. The departmental M.A.T. advisor, in consultation with the student, will determine a set of earth science courses for the M.A.T. degree in Earth Science.

• Recommendation of the Department for the M.A.T.:

When all program requirements are completed, the departmental M.A.T. advisor will consult with the director of the Science Education Program to determine whether all state-mandated education courses have been completed. If they conclude that all requirements have been met, they will inform the associate dean of the School of Professional Development that the requirements for provisional certification have been fulfilled and recommend to the dean of the Graduate School that the M.A.T. degree should be granted.

• Time Limit:

Although full-time students can complete all requirements for the M.A.T. degree within three semesters, part-time students will require additional time to complete the degree requirements.

Final responsibility for adhering to degree requirements and meeting all deadlines rests solely with the student.

Further information on the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Earth Science
See link: M.A.T. in Earth Sciences