Professional Master's Degree in Geoscience to be offered in Fall 2014

SOEST geoscientist sets up beach profile equipment. Credit: SOEST/UHM.

Two geoscientists deploy an infrared camera to study shoreline phenomena. Credit: SOEST/UHM.

Students may pursue a Professional Master’s Degree in Geoscience (MGeo) within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa starting in Fall 2014. Providing Master's-level training and practical experience in applied geoscience, the MGeo is intended to prepare students to pursue a career in a variety of fields including geological and environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, hydrology, natural hazard mitigation, climate change adaption, natural resource exploration and renewable energy development.

The program was designed in collaboration with professionals already working in geosciences fields in Hawaiʻi.  The emphasis is on applied geoscience coursework, with key courses scheduled in the evenings or remotely accessible, facilitating studies for working professionals with full-time jobs.  To put knowledge into practice, a student will complete a final work-related project with a local company or agency.

"Whereas our M.S. (Master’s of Science) degree is our research degree track, the MGeo is a new option for individuals who wish to pursue, or who are already in, careers in applied geoscience,” said Dr. Garrett Ito, Professor in the UHM Department of Geology and Geophysics.  “MGeo students will take courses that emphasize applications and gain real work experience as part of their capstone project."

This streamlined, professional graduate degree is envisioned to elevate the capacity of the local workforce. "Because enrollment is not limited by the availability of extramural funds like our M.S. program, the MGeo provides opportunities for advanced training to a larger number of students," stated Ito.

For more information, including admission requirements, visit http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/academics/gg_mgeo.html or contact the Department of Geology and Geophysics Graduate Admissions at (808) 956-6105 or vgp@soest.hawaii.edu.