University of Northern Colorado

Program Information

Degree Offered

M.A.-Earth Sciences

Format: Campus

Program Description:

Be part of a high quality yet flexible program that provides opportunities for investigating the earth as a system by integrating studies in geology, meteorology, astronomy, and oceanography. Programs of study take into account students’ academic backgrounds and career objectives and are designed to meet individual needs.

The program is for:
- Students who want to become earth science teachers at the secondary or community-college level.
- Elementary teachers who want to broaden and deepen their knowledge in the earth sciences.
- Students with bachelor’s degrees in earth science disciplines or other science/technical fields who wish to extend or refocus their knowledge.
- Instructors of outdoor-education programs who want a content-rich, graduate-level education in the earth sciences.

Instruction is provided in:
- Astronomy
- Geology
- Meteorology
- Oceanography
- Research skills related to the earth sciences
- Science education and curriculum development

The program has a 30-credit minimum requirement that can be completed in 2 years. Students choose between a thesis or non-thesis option. The thesis option is a focused program emphasizing research skills; the non-thesis option provides a customized multidisciplinary study of content.

Unique Facts:
- Students can develop a sequence of courses that builds on their previous experience and focuses on their goals.
- Students desiring to teach in Colorado public schools can earn teacher certification while completing the program.
- UNC’s location is ideal for studies in earth sciences. Greeley is situated in the western Great Plains close to the Rocky Mountains, and several national parks and monuments are within a day’s drive. Clear nights support astronomical observations, and the region is noted for interesting weather phenomena.
- The program has extensive facilities/resources including an X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, mineral separation laboratory, petrographic microscopes, telescopes, portable core drilling equipment, rock, mineral and fossil collections, meteorological instrumentation, and a Linux computer network that accesses online weather data systems.

Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Eligibility Requirements:

If you do apply to UNC Graduate School, please write an additional letter informing us that you have applied and stating your educational objectives. In your letter, specifically discuss why UNC meets your needs for a M.A. in Earth Sciences. Also include a discussion of your research interests and your eventual career plans. This letter is very important. Also in the letter, state whether or not you wish to apply as a lab teaching assistant in geology, meteorology, or astronomy, and the qualifications you have for that work (these are paid jobs and may come with a partial or full tuition waiver). There may also be scholarships and fellowships available from time to time as faculty and various offices at UNC get grants that support graduate students.

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER TO: DR. EMMETT EVANOFF, EARTH SCIENCES, CAMPUS BOX 100, UNC, GREELEY, CO 80639 or call 970-351-2437 THANK YOU!!

International Student Requirements:

• An international student is neither a citizen of the United States nor classified by United States Immigration and Naturalization Service as a Lawful Permanent Resident or Permanent Resident Alien. • International undergraduate, transfer, and graduate applicants must meet English Language proficiency requirements before being fully admitted to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). One option to demonstrate English Language proficiency is to successfully complete the UNC Intensive English Language Program (IEP). Please see the UNC IEP website for more information (http://www.unco.edu/cie/iep.html) • International student Undergraduate/Transfer and Graduate applications (on-line submission) with accompanying instructions are found on the UNC website as well. Applications and supporting documents are due at least 90 days prior to the semester to which students plan to enroll, or prior to their major program deadline (if any) for Graduate students.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Intensive

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Small City

Size & Settings: 10,000 - 19,999