• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  1. The University of Mississippi

Geology and Geological Engineering

University of Mississippi

  • About
    • About us
    • Accreditation
    • Career Options
    • Engineering at Ole Miss
    • Giving
  • Academics
    • Our academic programs
    • B.S. in Geology
    • B.S. in Geological Engineering
    • Graduate programs: Geology/ Geological Engineering/ Hydrology & Computational Hydroscience
  • Student Resources
    • Academic Common Market
    • Advising
    • Computer requirements
    • IT support and resources
    • Book a visit
    • Professional licensure
    • Resources and forms
    • Student organizations
    • Scholarships
      • Charles Dunbar King Memorial Scholarship
      • Outstanding Student Awards
      • Krista Dawn Blackledge Scholarship
      • Outstanding Teaching Assistant
      • Boland Scholarship
      • Johnson Scholarship
      • Robert Woolsey Scholarship
      • Franks Geology Fund
      • Other Scholarship Opportunities
    • Tutoring
    • Undergraduate admissions
    • Graduate admissions
    • Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA) Guide
  • Research
  • News
    • Latest news
    • Alumni Spotlight
    • Job Opportunities
    • Bertolet Seminar Series
  • People
    • Faculty and staff
    • GGE Ambassadors
    • Geology and Geological Engineering Advisory Board
    • School of Engineering Contacts

Graduate programs: Geology/ Geological Engineering/ Hydrology & Computational Hydroscience

A graduate degree from GGE will prepare you for a career in industry, research and development, or public/government service

M.S. and PhD in Geology
M.S. and PhD in Geological Engineering
M.S. and PhD in Hydrology and Computational Hydroscience

MASTER IN ENGINEERING SCIENCE

Minimum Total Credit Hours: 30
  • 30-hour program, to include 6 hours of thesis

A M.S. in engineering science prepares a student with advanced technical knowledge and communication skills for pursuing a career in industry, research and development, public service, or for doctoral work.

All M.S. degrees require a minimum of 30 credit hours, including 24 hours of course work and 6 hours of thesis. Up to 3 hours of Engr 695 (seminar) may be counted toward the course work, provided that the seminar schedule includes critiqued presentations by the enrolled students.

Possible courses must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and will be geared towards the student’s field of research. The student must develop and orally defend a written thesis in front of any who wish to attend as well as a chosen committee of 3 faculty members from GGE. 

Ph.D. IN ENGINEERING SCIENCE

Minimum Total Credit Hours:  54
All doctoral programs require completion of a comprehensive examination, dissertation prospectus, and a dissertation.

A Ph.D. in engineering science prepares a student with advanced technical knowledge and communication skills for pursuing a career in academia, industry, research and development, or public/government service. Students entering the program come from a variety of engineering and non-engineering disciplines such as geology, geological engineering, physics, civil engineering, and chemistry.

All Ph.D. degrees require a minimum of 54 credit hours, including 36 hours of course work beyond the B.S. degree and 18 hours of dissertation. (Engr 695, seminar, will not count toward the 36 course hours.)

The selection of courses must be approved by the student’s advisory committee, which includes three tenure or tenure-track faculty within the GGE department and one from a different UM department. Successful completion of both written and oral comprehensive exams is required before completing the dissertation.

 

Minimum undergraduate coursework for those without a B.S. in the emphasis.

It is not uncommon for students to pursue a graduate degree in a discipline in an area that is different than their undergraduate degree. Each graduate degree has a unique list of minimum undergraduate courses that must be completed either before arrival, or concurrent with your graduate classes after arrival. These will not count toward the required course hours for the graduate degree. (course lists for each degree emphasis)

Geology

Physical Geology (Geol 101/103)
Structural Geology (Geol 303)
Sedimentology/Stratigraphy (Geol 314)
Engineering Geology (Engr 340; may be taken at 500-level for graduate credit)

Hydrology and Computational Hydroscience

Math through Differential Equations (Math 353)
Fluid Mechanics (Engr 323)
Chemistry (one year) (Chem 105, 106)
Calculus based Physics (one year) (Phys 211, 212)
A computer programming course in any language (Csci 251)

Geological Engineering

Physical Geology (Geol 101/103)
Two the following:
Mineralogy (Geol 225); may be taken without labs
Structural Geology (Geol 303)
Stratigraphy (Geol 314)
Mechanics of Materials (Engr 312)
Thermodynamics (Engr 321)
Fluid Mechanics (Engr 323)

          Additional courses required but allowed for graduate credit if not already completed:

Hydrogeology or Geophysics
Engineering Geology
Rock, Soil, or Geo Mechanics

 

Requirements for Admission

We are looking for a strong academic background in the engineering sciences or related fields.

An overall B average in undergraduate course work taken at Ole Miss or other approved colleges is required. In unusual cases the rule may be waived with the approval of the appropriate department chair and the dean of the School of Engineering.

The GRE is NOT required

 

Graduate Student Handbook

 

Graduate Program Coordinator

Dr. Brian Platt
bfplatt@olemiss.edu

 

 

Graduate School info request:

https://choose.gradschool.olemiss.edu/inquiryform
Graduate School Inquiry Form

Helpful links

Graduate School website
Apply now
International Students
Academic catalog
Tuition
Scholarships
Research

Download the latest TA and Graduate Student Guide

Ole Miss logo
Enroll at the University of Mississippi and discover your future!
Copyright © University Communications 2025. All Rights Reserved.
EEO Statement Give Us Your Feedback Accessibility Ethics Line UM Creed