Dear Prospective Student:

Thank you for your inquiry concerning the graduate program in Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. On these Web pages, you can find

• information describing the department, our excellent faculty, and our fine facilities;
• a page briefly outlining the degree program that you are interested in;

The following is our application process:

1. All forms should be sent to the following address unless directed otherwise:
         Director of Graduate Studies
         Department of Geological Sciences
         University of Missouri
         Columbia, MO 65211-1380
    
   
2. Complete a Departmental Application Form (in pdf) and return it to the above address (see Item #1) or as an attachment to an email to BennettKA@missouri.edu. Pay particular attention to the section on "Personal History." If applying on-line through the Graduate School's online application, you may directly upload your Personal Statement. Read the departmental information carefully, and see which faculty research interests match your current interest. Describe in as much detail as you can the type of research work you hope to do for your thesis or dissertation.
    
   
3. Distribute three copies of the Letter of Reference Form (in pdf) to three faculty members or others who can comment on your academic performance and likelihood of success in graduate work. Have those people return the forms to the address above (Item #1) or as an attachment to an email to BennettKA@missouri.edu. If applying on-line through the Graduate School's online application, please enter the names of your referees so that we may keep track of the status of your application's completeness.
    
   
4. Complete the University application using ONLY ONE of the following application forms:
   1. Online Form (then click on the Apply Online).
   2. Mail-In Form - Print this out and return to the address above (Item #1). Please note that submitting a hard-copy application will slow the application review process. See the Graduate School's information.

   All applications must be accompanied by an application fee.
    

5. Please have your scores on the Graduate Record Examination for the required verbal, quantitative and analytical writing tests sent to the above address (Item #1). Photocopies of scores are not acceptable.
    
   
6. When all of the above are received by the Department and the University, you will be considered for admission and informed of our decision. If you are accepted, we also will consider you for financial support. The department currently sponsors 13.5 teaching assistantships, which are the principal form of financial support for graduate students. A nine-month teaching assistantship will typically pay $15,000 to an incoming Masters student and $17,000 to an incoming PhD student for the 2007-2008 academic year. These totals include funds from departmental scholarships. A waiver of out-of-state and in-state educational fees is also granted. The present workload for teaching assistants is three introductory geology laboratories per week plus attendance at the relevant lectures. All TAs are given office space within the building. The only fee you pay when you enroll for classes are several miscellaneous fees which total about $200 for a 9-hour semester. Applications should be received by February 15th in order to be guaranteed consideration for departmental financial aid.

   Superior applicants will be encouraged to apply for multiyear University Fellowships. Graduate students may be employed as research assistants if their thesis is part of their adviser's grant-funded research. Summer scholarships also are available.
    

7. International students for whom English is a second language must submit a TOEFL score of at least 530 (paper-based), 197 (computer-based) or 71 (internet) to be considered for admission.

The availability of financial support for Master's theses and Ph.D. dissertations is an important consideration when choosing where to pursue a graduate degree. Some of our faculty have research assistantships with which they support their students. Departmental scholarships to support student research are available in the fields of paleontology, geochemistry, and economic geology. Last year most of our graduate students who were actively working on their thesis or dissertation research received financial support from one of these sources.

Research equipment available in our modern building includes two scanning electron microscopes, an automated X-Ray diffractometer, two stable isotope mass spectrometers, two luminoscopes, an acid lab for conodont extraction, two darkrooms, and equipment for fluid inclusion studies and vitrinite reflectance determinations. In addition, we have our own library (38,500 volumes, 320 periodicals, and 100,000 maps and charts).

You should also know that Columbia, Missouri has been listed for several years among the best cities to live in by Money magazine. Among the benefits of living in Columbia that they listed was the low cost of living. One-bedroom apartments start at approximately $350 per month, two-bedroom apartments start at $450 per month, and there are many moderately priced restaurants in town. Many students walk, bike, or use the city bus system to get to campus, or use shuttle buses provided by outlying apartment complexes.

We look forward to receiving your application materials. After everything has been received, you will be notified regarding acceptance as a degree candidate and whether or not you will be offered a Teaching Assistantship. If you have any additional questions, or would like to schedule a visit to the department, do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely yours,

Robert Bauer
Director of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor of Geological Sciences
 

The Department offers graduate RA and TA positions in all sub-fields covered within the department. For further information, please contact Kristin Bennett (BennettKA@missouri.edu) or the individual faculty member (faculty list) with whom you would like to work.

phone: 573-882-3759
email: BauerR@missouri.edu
 

Last Modified: winter 2008