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Prospective Graduate Students

The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering offers graduate students quality class room education and state of the art research opportunities in a variety of geologic and engineering areas. The Faculty and Facilities links provide information on current research and resources within the program. Opportunities also exist for interdisciplinary research with faculty in other university departments, and with research scientists at the Mississippi Minerals Research Institute and the USDA National Sedimentation Laboratory located here in Oxford.

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The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering offers studies in the following graduate degrees:

• Master of Science in Engineering Science with emphasis in Geology
  
• Master of Science in Engineering Science with emphasis in Geological Engineering
  
• Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science with emphasis in Geology
  
• Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science with emphasis in Geological Engineering

The Department also supports graduate degrees in Hydrology:

• Master of Science in Engineering Science with emphasis in Hydrology
  
• Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science with emphasis in Hydrology

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Geology/Geologic Engineering distinctions

Geology

Geology is the branch of science that studies a wide variety of Earth systems including (1) the origins and history of the Earth, (2) extraction of earth resources such as coal, oil and natural gas, (3) natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanism and landslides, (4) global climate change, (5) hydrology, and (6) interactions between the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

Geological Engineering

Geological engineering combines the two challenging disciplines of geology and engineering, which makes for a rewarding career. In planning a construction project, the "geologist" part looks for the most stable, ideal piece of land for building. The location is identified by examining factors like the slope of the land and the composition of the soil and rocks beneath the surface to assess erosion or unstable conditions. The geological engineer then relies on his or her engineering training to evaluate how the structure to be built will affect the environment as well as the structural design considerations related to data from analyzing the geology of the site.

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Information regarding admissions for both Geology and Geological Engineering is available on the School of Engineering's Prospective Graduate Students webpage. For information on fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships, contact the Department directly.

Additional information concerning graduate degree requirements and deadlines can be found on the Graduate School webpage. International students should visit the International Programs Office webpage.

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Should you decide to visit the Department, please contact us prior to your visit of simply drop by. The following are directions of the two closest metropolitan areas.

From Memphis, TN

• Take I-55 SOUTH for approximately 60 miles
• Take the MS-6 EAST exit towards Oxford, exit #243A
• Continue EAST on MS-6 for about 23 miles
• Take OLD TAYLOR ROAD exit
• Continue NORTH on Old Taylor Road for 0.9 miles
• Turn LEFT onto UNIVERSITY AVE
• Proceed through 4-WAY STOP to GUARDHOUSE
• Continue EAST on UNIVERSITY AVE for 0.25 miles
• Bear RIGHT on UNIVERSITY CIRCLE
• Continue AROUND circle past the Lyceum
• Park near CARRIER HALL on SOUTH side of circle
• Department is in CARRIER HALL, ROOM 118

From Jackson, MS

• Take I-55 NORTH for approximately 147 miles
• Take the MS-6 EAST exit towards Oxford, exit #243A
• Continue EAST on MS-6 for about 23 miles
• Take OLD TAYLOR ROAD exit
• Continue NORTH on Old Taylor Road for 0.9 miles
• Turn LEFT onto UNIVERSITY AVE
• Proceed through 4-WAY STOP to GUARDHOUSE
• Continue EAST on UNIVERSITY AVE for 0.25 miles
• Bear RIGHT on UNIVERSITY CIRCLE
• Continue AROUND circle past the Lyceum
• Park near CARRIER HALL on SOUTH side of circle
• Department is in CARRIER HALL, ROOM 118

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