Examples of specific faculty interests include geologic history and recent sedimentation in the Lake Champlain Basin, processes and chronology of glaciation, stable and cosmogenic isotopic studies, water quality and pollutant transport, crystal chemistry and crystallography, microbial ecology and geochemical cycling, tectonic evolution of deformed continental margins and interiors, petrofabric and structural analysis of deformed rocks, partial melting processes, mineral structure analysis, stratigraphy and sedimentary environments of lower Paleozoic sandstones and carbonates. The geology graduate experience is enhanced with our facilities and specialized research equipment, and skills embedded throughout the Geology curriculum.

Bachelor's degree in Geology or related field from an accredited institution with year-long courses in chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics preferred. The M.S. program is also open to undergraduate majors in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering or mathematics who have accumulated 12 semester hours of coursework in geology. Required remedial course-work in geology, if any, will be established by the student and the faculty during the admission process and during advising at the beginning of the first semester. Strong undergraduate record, letters of recommendation, and satisfactory basic GRE scores. Applicants should identify a potential faculty advisor (or advisors) and include research interests in the application statement. Application to the program is a competitive process and admission is dependent upon available Teaching and/or Research Fellowships.