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WVU Morgantown

Geology, Ph.D.

  • Overview
  • Learning Outcomes

Degree Requirements

  • Credit Hours: Students are required to complete a minimum number of nine credit hours of coursework at the 400-level or above. Additionally, students will complete a minimum of eight additional credits in research and seminar. A maximum of three credit hours at the 400-level may be applied.
  • Grade Point Average:  Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in courses applied to the degree.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
CORE COURSES:
GEOL 696 Graduate Seminar4
GEOL 505Scientific Writing (Must be taken in the first Fall semester)3
GEOL 509Deep Time Earth Systems3
GEOL 601Graduate Professional Development and Scientific Integrity (Must be taken in the second Fall semester)3
Data Analytics and Presentation Skills Course3
Select one of the following:
GEOL 506
Graphic Design for Scientists
GEOL 510
Computer Aided Subsurface Interpretations
GEOL 588
Aqueous Geochemistry
GEOL 659
Quantitative Methods in Geoscience
GEOG 520
Methods for Open Science
GEOG 657
Open-Source Spatial Analytics
RESEARCH **12
GEOL 697
Research (at least 12 credits)
COURSEWORK9
Graduate coursework at the 500-level or above*
Total Hours37
*

Excludes GEOL 600, 697, 700, and 797. Courses will be selected in consultation with an advisor. 

**

Students must complete at least 12 hours, however students may complete more than 50 credit hours of research.

Major Learning Outcomes

Geology

Students obtaining a doctorate in geology degree will be able to:

  • Communicate geologic concepts orally and in writing
  • Apply research skills to analyze geologic questions
  • Propose, produce and defend original research of publishable quality
  • Explain geologic principles as they relate to their area of research
  • Effectively communicate the state of knowledge in their research area
  • Identify research questions in geology
  • Critique and assess peer-reviewed literature
  • Applied Statistics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Communication Studies
  • Cultural Resource Management
  • English
  • Forensic and Investigative Science
  • Geography
  • Geology
    • Geology, M.S.
    • Geology, Ph.D.
  • GIS and Spatial Analysis
  • History
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • Women's and Gender Studies

WVU Morgantown

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P.O. Box 6878
Morgantown, WV 26506
Email: registrar@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: 304-293-5355

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