Geochemistry
Degrees Offered
- Professional Masters in Environmental Geochemistry
- Master of Science (Geochemistry)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry)
Program Description
The Geochemistry Program is an interdisciplinary graduate program administered by the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering and the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry. The geochemistry faculty from each department are responsible for the operations of the program. Students reside in either the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering or the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry.
The program comprises a core group of courses, required of all students unless individually exempted by the Geochemistry Committee of the Whole based on previous background. Descriptions for individual classes may be found in the sections of the Graduate Bulletin for each of the participating departments. For classes with "CHGC" and "CHGN" prefixes see the section for Chemistry and Geochemistry; for classes with "GEGN" and "GEOL" prefixes see the section for Geology and Geological Engineering.
Students determine their program of study in consultation with the advisor or thesis committee. Students entering with background in chemistry will take more coursework in geology to strengthen their backgrounds in this discipline; the converse is true for students with a background in geology.
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
Prerequisites
Each entering student will have an entrance interview with members of the Geochemistry faculty. Each department recognizes that entering students may not be proficient in both areas. A placement examination in geology and/or chemistry may be required upon the discretion of the interviewing faculty. If a placement examination is given, the results may be used to establish deficiency requirements. Credit toward a graduate degree will not be granted for courses taken to fulfill deficiencies.
Requirements
The Master of Science (Geochemistry) degree requires a minimum of 36 semester hours including:
| Course work | 24.0 | |
| Research credits | 12.0 | |
| Total Hours | 36.0 | |
To ensure breadth of background, the course of study for the Master of Science (Geochemistry) degree must include:
| CHGC503 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOCHEMISTRY | 4.0 |
| CHGC504 | METHODS IN GEOCHEMISTRY | 2.0 |
| Master of Science (Geochemistry) students select two of the following: | 3-4 | |
| ADV PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO AQUEOUS GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| MINERALOGY AND CRYSTAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| GEOCHEMISTRY THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS | ||
| NUCLEAR AND ISOTOPIC GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
In addition, all students must complete a 1-2 hour laboratory course selected from several available. Master of Science (Geochemistry) students must also complete an appropriate thesis, based upon original research they have conducted. A thesis proposal and course of study must be approved by the student's thesis committee before the student begins substantial work on the thesis research.
The requirement for the Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) program will be established individually by a student's thesis committee, but must meet the minimum requirements presented below. The Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) program will require a minimum of 72 credit hours. At least 24 hours must be research credit and at least 18 hours must be course work. Up to 24 hours of course credit may be transferred from previous graduate-level work upon approval of the thesis committee. Research credits may not be transferred. Students who enter the Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) program with a thesis-based Master of Science degree from another institution may transfer up to 36 semester hours, upon approval of the thesis committee, in recognition of the course work and research completed for that degree.
Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) students must take:
| CHGC503 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOCHEMISTRY | 4.0 |
| CHGC504 | METHODS IN GEOCHEMISTRY | 2.0 |
| CHGC514 | GEOCHEMISTRY THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS | 3.0 |
| Laboratory course | 1.0 | |
| Select two of the following: | 3-4 | |
| ADV PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO AQUEOUS GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| MINERALOGY AND CRYSTAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| NUCLEAR AND ISOTOPIC GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) students must also complete an appropriate thesis, based upon original research they have conducted. A thesis proposal and course of study must be approved by the student's thesis committee before the student begins substantial work on the thesis research.
Master of Science (Geochemistry) and Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) students resident in the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry or the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering shall adhere to the seminar rules and requirements of the department of residence.
Qualifying Examination
Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) students must take a qualifying examination. It is expected that this exam will be completed within three years of matriculation or after the bulk of course work is finished, whichever occurs earlier. This examination will be administered by the student's thesis committee and will consist of an oral and a written examination, administered in a format to be determined by the thesis committee. Two negative votes in the thesis committee constitute failure of the examination.
In case of failure of the qualifying examination, a re-examination may be given upon the recommendation of the thesis committee and approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Only one re-examination may be given.
Tuition
The Master of Science (Geochemistry) and Doctor of Philosophy (Geochemistry) programs have been admitted to the Western Regional Graduate Program. This entity recognizes the Geochemistry Program as unique in the region. Designation of the Geochemistry Program by Western Regional Graduate program allows residents of western states to enroll in the program at Colorado resident tuition rates. Eligible states include Alaska, Arizona, California ,Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Professional Masters in Environmental Geochemistry
Introduction
The Professional Masters in Environmental Geochemistry program is intended to provide:
- an opportunity for CSM undergraduates to obtain, as part of a fifth year of study, a Master in addition to the Bachelor degree; and
- additional education for working professionals in the area of geochemistry as it applies to problems relating to the environment.
This is a non-thesis Master degree program administered by the Geochemistry program, and may be completed as part of a combined degree program by individuals already matriculated as undergraduate students at CSM, or by individuals already holding undergraduate or advanced degrees and who are interested in a graduate program that does not have the traditional research requirement. The program consists primarily of coursework in geochemistry and allied fields with an emphasis on environmental applications. No research is required though the program does allow for independent study, professional development, internship, and cooperative experience.
Application
Undergraduate students at CSM must declare an interest during their third year to allow for planning of coursework that will apply towards the program. These students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0. Students majoring in other departments besides the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering and the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry may want to decide on the combined degree program option earlier to be sure prerequisites are satisfied. Applicants other than CSM undergraduates who are applying for this non-thesis Master degree program must follow the same procedures that all prospective graduate students follow. However, the requirement of the general GRE may be waived.
Prerequisites
Each entering student will have an entrance interview with members of the geochemistry faculty. Each department recognizes that entering students may not be proficient in both areas. A placement examination in geology and/or chemistry may be required upon the discretion of the interviewing faculty. If a placement examination is given, the results may be used to establish deficiency requirements. Credit toward a graduate degree will not be granted for courses taken to fulfill deficiencies.
Requirements
A minimum of 30 credit hours are required, with an overall GPA of at least 3.0. The overall course requirements will depend on the background of the individual, but may be tailored to professional objectives.
A 10 credit-hour core program consists of:
| GEGN466 | GROUNDWATER ENGINEERING * | 3.0 |
| CHGC503 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOCHEMISTRY | 4.0 |
| CHGC509 | INTRODUCTION TO AQUEOUS GEOCHEMISTRY | 3.0 |
| Total Hours | 10.0 | |
| * | If this course is transferred from the undergraduate program, another course out of the core areas listed below must be substituted. |
In addition, 14 credit hours must be selected from the list below, representing the following core areas: geochemical methods, geographic information system, geological data analysis, groundwater engineering or modeling, hydrothermal geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, physical chemistry, microbiology, mineralogy, organic geochemistry, and thermodynamics. This selection of courses must include at least one laboratory course.
| CHGN503 | ADV PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I | 4.0 |
| CHGC504 | METHODS IN GEOCHEMISTRY | 2.0 |
| CHGC506 | WATER ANALYSIS LABORATORY | 2.0 |
| GEOL512 | MINERALOGY AND CRYSTAL CHEMISTRY | 3.0 |
| CHGC527 | ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF FOSSIL FUELS AND ORE DEPOSITS | 3.0 |
| GEOL530 | CLAY CHARACTERIZATION | 1.0 |
| GEGN532 | GEOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS | 3.0 |
| GEOL550 | INTEGRATED BASIN MODELING | 3.0 |
| CHGC555 | ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3.0 |
| CHGC562 | MICROBIOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | 3.0 |
| CHGC563 | ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY | 2.0 |
| CHGC564 | BIOGEOCHEMISTRY AND GEOMICROBIOLOGY | 3.0 |
| GEGN575 | APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3.0 |
| GEGN581 | ADVANCED GROUNDWATER ENGINEERING | 3.0 |
| GEGN583 | MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS | 3.0 |
| ESGN586 | MOLECULAR MICROBIAL ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | 3.0 |
| CHGC610 | NUCLEAR AND ISOTOPIC GEOCHEMISTRY | 3.0 |
| GEGN683 | ADVANCED GROUND WATER MODELING | 3.0 |
Laboratory courses:
| CHGC506 | WATER ANALYSIS LABORATORY | 1-2 |
| or GEOL530 | CLAY CHARACTERIZATION | |
An additional 6 credit-hours of free electives may be selected to complete the 30 credit-hour requirement. Free electives may be selected from the course offerings of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry, or the Environmental Science and Engineering Division, and may also be independent study credits taken to fulfill a research cooperative, or other professional development experience. A course program will be designed in advanced through consultation between the student and an advisor from the Geochemistry Committee of the Whole.
| CHGC503 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOCHEMISTRY | 4 |
| CHGC504 | METHODS IN GEOCHEMISTRY | 2 |
| CHGC505 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CHGC506 | WATER ANALYSIS LABORATORY | 2 |
| CHGC509 | INTRODUCTION TO AQUEOUS GEOCHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CHGC511 | GEOCHEMISTRY OF IGNEOUS ROCKS | 3 |
| CHGC514 | GEOCHEMISTRY THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS | 3 |
| CHGC527 | ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF FOSSIL FUELS AND ORE DEPOSITS | 3 |
| CHGC555 | ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CHGC562 | MICROBIOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | 3 |
| CHGC563 | ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY | 2 |
| CHGC564 | BIOGEOCHEMISTRY AND GEOMICROBIOLOGY | 3 |
| CHGC598 | SPECIAL TOPICS | 1-6 |
| CHGC610 | NUCLEAR AND ISOTOPIC GEOCHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CHGC698 | SPECIAL TOPICS | 1-6 |
Professors
Wendy J. Harrison, Geology and Geological Engineering
Murray W. Hitzman, Charles F. Fogarty Professor of Economic Geology
Richard F. Wendlandt, Geology and Geological Engineering
Associate Professors
John D. Humphrey , Geology and Geological Engineering, Department Head
James F. Ranville, Chemistry and Geochemistry
John R. Spear, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Bettina M. Voelker, Chemistry and Geochemistry
Professors Emeriti
John B. Curtis, Geology and Geological Engineering
Donald L. Macalady , Chemistry and Geochemistry
Patrick MacCarthy, Chemistry and Geochemistry
Samuel B. Romberger, Geology and Geological Engineering
Thomas R. Wildeman, Chemistry and Geochemistry
Associate Professors Emeriti
L. Graham Closs, Geology and Geological Engineering
E. Craig Simmons, Chemistry and Geochemistry
Assistant Professors
Nigel M. Kelly, Geology and Geological Engineering
Thomas Monecke, Geology and Geological Engineering
Jonathan O. Sharp, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Alexis Navarre-Sitchler, Geology and Geological Engineering