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PAPERWORK TRAIL TO M.S. GRADUATION IN GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

(or How to get an M.S. in 11 Easy Steps)
  1. Attain classified graduate standing
    - students admitted as classified should skip to step 2). Other students should have a list of the deficiencies which must be completed and the date for completion. Deficiencies generally include undergraduate classes for nongeology B.S. students. Once the deficiencies have been completed file a Change of Status Form (students admitted with conditional classified status) or an Application for Classified Graduate Standing (CGS) (for students admitted with postbaccalaureate unclassified status)

    2. YOU MUST BE CLASSIFIED PRIOR TO ALL OTHER PAPERWORK

  2. Submit an Official Program for the Master's Degree to Graduate Division At this point you should have selected a thesis advisor. The program lists your course work (already taken and future courses) and should be filled out in consultation with your thesis advisor. Grades for coursework completed should be listed. The 30 units total for the M.S. degree must include GEOL797 (3 units Cr/NC), GEOL799A Thesis (3 units, Cr/NC), 18 units of approved 600-level geology courses, and 6 units of either upper division (500-level) electives or graduate (600-level) electives approved by the departmental advisor. Hydrogeology and geophysics may include GEOL797, GEOL799A, 12 units of 600-level geology classes, 12 units of upper division (500-level) electives (no more than 6 units of 500-level geology classes). Your thesis advisor should place her/his initials next to the coursework to indicate approval. The form is then signed by you and the graduate advisor, Kathy Thorbjarnarson, and a copy made by or for the graduate secretary, Marie Ayers in Dept. office, before sending off to the Graduate Division. Any subsequent changes to the program must be made by filing a Change of Official Program form.

    3. FILL FORM OUT ASAP BUT NO LATER THAN THE SEMESTER PRIOR TO ANTICIPATED GRADUATION. A special waiver is needed (more paperwork!) if you have less than 9 units of coursework remaining to be taken on submittal of this form - try to turn in form in first year of graduate study.

  3. Attain Advancement to Candidacy - this requires no paperwork on your part &: To be advanced to candidacy, the following requirements must be met (1) your official program must have been approved - process generally takes 3 weeks from submittal of Official Program, (2) you must have completed at least 12 units of coursework listed on the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0, (3) must have no grade less than 2.0 in a program course, and (4) have completed all undergraduate deficiencies. A minimum of 9 units of courses listed on the official program of study must be enrolled in and completed concurrently with or after advancement to candidacy. You may not complete steps 4 and 5 until you have been advanced to candidacy.

    4. NEW FALL 2001 - You can no longer graduate the same semester that you have advanced to candidacy. GET YOUR OFFICIAL PROGRAM IN AT LEAST 1 SEMESTER BEFORE YOU ANTICIPATE TO GRADUATE. You will typically fill it out when half of your coursework is completed.

  4. Submit A One- to Two-Page Thesis Proposal to the Department Faculty and Prospective Committee Members - the proposal should include background information on why the study is important or needed, goals of the study, general methodology and key references (ONLY 1 to 2 PAGES total). Upon approval of the proposal by your thesis advisor, submit a copy to Marie Ayers and request placement in the faculty mailboxes. The faculty are given 10 days to comment.
  5. Submit a Thesis Committee Form and Rights to Thesis Data Form to Graduate Division - once you have finalized a thesis topic with your advisor and completed the above steps, you must select second and third committee members. The selection of committee members should be done in conjunction with your advisor. Click here for university guidelines. You must also discuss data ownership and publication plans with your advisor. The title of the thesis on the form should be generally recognizable to its final form (same key words). Members of the committee and the graduate advisor must sign the first form. When you turn this form in at the Graduate Division counter you can pick up the course codes for 797 or 799A. We recommend you turn in this form as soon as the committee is formed. However, these forms can be turned in the same semester as you register for 799A - see step 6.
  6. Sign up for 797 (3 units) for Research
    7. - obtain form from Marie Grace in department office
  7. Sign up for 799A (3 units) or 799B (extension with 0 units) During Semester You Plan to Submit Your Thesis - schedule numbers for these courses are obtained from the Graduate Division. Student's generally sign up for 797 before 799A but these two courses can be taken concurrently.
  8. Apply for Graduation and Pay Fee at the Cashier's Office - deadline generally in the first few weeks of the semester
  9. Complete your Written Thesis and Coordinate with Thesis Advisor and Graduate Division Deadlines - Obtain the Master's Thesis and Project Manual for guidelines on the formatting of the thesis OR plan on paying a thesis formatter for their services in correctly formatting the thesis. Consult with your thesis chair on deadlines for submission of first draft, time entailed for subsequent revisions. Also, check with your second and third committee members on their availability and time deadlines for thesis review (most require a minimum of two weeks review time before scheduling a defense). The class schedule will include deadline dates for (1) application for graduation, (2) without-risk deadline for thesis submittal, (3) at-risk period for thesis submittal and (4) clearance deadline through Customized Materials.
  10. Schedule a Thesis Defense Time - defense dates for M.S. students are the last day of classes for each semester. Schedule times with Marie Ayers Grace.
  11. Submit a Final Version of your Thesis to Thesis Review - signature page must be signed by committee members. The required text for 799 is the 2000 edition The Master's Thesis and Project Manual (purchase at bookstore). Correct formatting is critical as thesis review will now reject incorrectly formatted theses. If you have turned in such a thesis at the end of the semester, you will probably have to apply for graduation and pay fees a second time.
    12.
    We do not have an official department style guide - for reference formatting, we typically use the style from a journal within your subdiscipline (hydrology, geophysics, etc.) and provide a copy of the formatting to the thesis reviewers.

 
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