The Combined B.S./M.S. program is designed to permit a superior student to earn both the Bachelor's and the Master's degrees following five years of study. The combined program is an integrated experience of undergraduate and graduate work. Nine credits of graduate courses taken as an undergraduate can be counted towards both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. The master's thesis may be a continuation of work begun as part of the undergraduate senior thesis.

Eligibility

Acceptance into the Combined B.S./M.S. normally would occur after the end of the sophomore year. The minimum requirements for acceptance into this program are similar to those for the Geology Honors program, namely an overall GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the sophomore year and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major.

Applications

Interested eligible students must provide the following material to be considered:

1. At least three letters of recommendation.
2. An essay or statement of purpose.
3. An interview with the undergraduate Honors Director and the Graduate Director.

Based on this, students may provisionally be accepted into the program. Students so accepted will be permitted to enroll in appropriate graduate-level courses. The Combined B.S./M.S. program allows 9 credits of graduate courses (600-level or above) to be counted towards both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. A grade of "B" or better must be earned in each of these courses. Acceptance is provisional, however, pending satisfaction of the following:

1. Completion of the undergraduate curriculum.
2. A GPA of 3.5 or better in GEOL 393 and GEOL 394.
3. Maintenance of a 3.0 overall GPA and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major.
4. Successful completion of the General GRE exam, usually taken during the fall term of the senior year.
5. Formal application and admission to the Graduate School.

Logistics

Potential applicants are advised that a "combined B.S./M.S." program is not a a course of study separate and distinct from the traditional B.S. and M.S. Students in the combined B.S./M.S. program will, at any given time, be either undergraduate or graduate students. Rather, the program provides the opportunity for a superior student to telescope these degrees by taking up to nine graduate credits while still an undergraduate and counting them toward both degrees. Under optimal circumstances, one might complete both degrees in five years. Actual completion time will vary depending on one's individual circumstances.