The combined BS/MS (Master of Science) or BA/BS/MST (Master of Science for Teachers) degree programs in the Geological Sciences allows qualified students to earn both degrees in a shorter time than is normally required. The accelerated program for highly qualified undergraduate Geology students allows them to complete their Masters degree within approximately two and a half years after beginning their senior year.
Students accepted into the accelerated BS/MS program can begin research projects during their senior year and thus gain advanced research and analytical skills more quickly. The combined BS/MS degree allows students who expect to pursue a Ph.D. degree to attain that goal more expeditiously. The accelerated BS or BA/MST allows students who plan to enter the education field to progress more rapidly through that program. The MST degree is a non-thesis program, but requires additional classes in Education.
The accelerated program is designed to benefit exceptional students who, via advanced placement or summer school beyond the minimum, can accumulate at up to twelve (12) graduate credits prior to the start of their first semester in our graduate program. All regular 5000 and 6000-level Geology graduate courses may be double-counted for credit up to 12 hours. This allows students to count 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the BA/BS and MS or MST degrees. Hence, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 144 hours instead of the 156 required if the degrees were pursued separately. Students are expected to complete a thesis as part of the program unless they have chosen to complete a MST degree upon application to the program.
Students may apply to the program during the first or second semester of their junior year for admission during their senior year. Entry into the program requires prior admission to the Graduate School and approval by the Department of Geological Sciences. Interested students should consult with the Graduate Coordinator at the earliest possible time concerning requirements for acceptance and the application procedures.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is competitive; meeting the stated minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Entry to the program requires prior admission to the Graduate School and approval by the departmental Graduate Admissions Committee.
Eligibility
This program is open to UF Geology majors in the BA or BS program with:
- Completion of at least 24 semester hours at the University of Florida
- Minimum GPA of 3.2 and a 3.5 in Geology
- Minimum GRE (verbal + quantitative) score of 1100
- At least 20 hours of undergraduate geology courses, including those taken in the semester of application
- Letters of recommendation from at least two faculty in the Department of Geological Sciences
Application
Application should be made prior to or during the second semester of the junior year to the Graduate Admissions Committee after conferring with the Graduate Coordinator. Application forms are available from the Graduate Coordinator or Departmental secretary. Typically, students should submit an application for graduate school to the Registrar’s Office during the second semester of the junior year. On the application form, each student must specify his/her intention to apply to the accelerated program. The GRE scores must be available prior to graduate admission.
Retention in the Program
In order to remain in good standing in this program, the student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better in all course work. With the aid of their faculty advisor, MS students should prepare a research prospectus and form a supervisory committee (consisting of the advisor and 2 other faculty members) before the beginning of their third semester in the program. MST students should select an advisor and an advisory committee (which may include a member of the Education faculty if an Education minor is chosen) before the end of the second semester of study.
Support
A $1000 scholarship will be awarded to each student upon successful completion of the first semester of their fifth year, or after 15 or more hours in the accelerated program have been successfully completed at the graduate level.
Program Requirements
In order to complete the accelerated program each student must complete all undergraduate major requirements, including the courses that are double-counted; and complete all remaining MS (or MST) classes and requirements as stated in the graduate catalog and Departmental guidelines as outlined below.
- MS
A minimum of 33 semester hours are required; including at least 24 credit hours in organized 5000 and 6000 level geology courses, a total of 3 in Seminar (6931), and six credit hours of Master’s Research (6971). Students who elect to have a Minor in another field must take at least 6 hours of organized class work in another department, obtain approval by that department’s graduate advisor, and add a faculty member from that department to their supervisory committee. During a student’s final semester, they must be enrolled in at least 3 hours of Master’s Research. Successful defense of a thesis is required of all candidates
- MST
A minimum of 36 semester hours are required; including at least 24 hours in organized graduate-level geology courses, 2 in Seminar (6931) and 6 hours of Internship in College Teaching (6943). Master’s Research (6971) can not be used toward the degree. At least one course in each of the following: Social Foundations of Education, Psychological Foundations of Education, and Community College curriculum are required. These courses may be used to comprise a minor in Education (6 hours will count toward the total of 24 geology courses). The remaining hours must be in approved electives. Passage of a final oral examination that covers the field of Geology and the students minor is required of all candidates. No thesis is required.
Awarding of degrees
- The BS/BA will be awarded in the semester that all BS/BA requirements are completed;
- The MS (or MST) will be awarded by the Graduate School after all BS and MS (MST) requirements are completed.