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Introduction Mission Statement Department Vision Profile of Department Colorado Residency Financial Assistance Graduate Student Organizations Affirmative Action Equipment and Facilities for Graduate Students
General Requirements for Graduate Degree Programs
INTRODUCTION [Return to Index] This Handbook presents information and resources for graduate study in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, and is intended to ease your transition into the Department and your life as a graduate student. This Handbook supplements and is subordinate to regulations in the Bulletin of Colorado School of Mines. It is the responsibility of each graduate student to read and understand information pertaining to graduate study in both this Handbook and the Bulletin. Questions regarding the Handbook and the Bulletin can generally be answered by members of the faculty, the department assistants, or other graduate students.
The mission of the Department is to integrate basic and applied research in educating students with the knowledge and skills needed for leadership in a professional career in the earth sciences and geological engineering (geohydrology, engineering geology, minerals and energy resource exploration and production, and the basic geosciences).
To be the best applied geology and geological engineering department.
The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering emphasizes the study of science and engineering and the application of that knowledge to the solution of petroleum and minerals exploration and development, engineering and environmental problems. The Department offers a B.Sc. degree in Geological Engineering with concentrations in either minerals and fuels exploration engineering or environmental, engineering geology and geotechnics, and ground-water engineering. Graduate degrees are offered in Geological Engineering, Geology, and Geochemistry. The programs are broad enough to prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers in academic, research, or industrial organizations. The faculty is composed of full-time and adjunct geologists and engineers. Currently there are approximately 100 undergraduate students and 130 graduate students in the Department programs.
All out-of-state students are strongly advised to begin to establish Colorado residency before they begin their first semester of study at CSM. The greatest advantage to establishing Colorado residency is a reduction in tuition. To qualify for residency a student must prove that they have lived in Colorado for one year or more immediately preceding the first day of classes for the semester in which resident status is sought. Important steps in establishing Colorado residency are obtaining a Colorado driver's license, transferring motor vehicle and voter registration to Colorado, and rent receipts before the first day of classes this year in order to qualify for resident tuition one year hence. Employment and payment of state income taxes are additional but not essential criteria. There are no absolute requirements for establishing resident status. Cases are considered on an individual basis by the Registrar. For additional information on establishing in-state residency consult the "Residency Qualifications" section in the Bulletin.
The Department and CSM have designated funds for the support of Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, scholarships, and fellowships for graduate study. If you did not receive a financial aid offer at admission, there are also numerous sources of funding outside the school, which students are strongly encouraged to seek. You can obtain assistance from posted notices of funding opportunities, Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies, and Department faculty members. Evidence that you have attempted to solve your financial needs through application for outside grants will be considered in evaluating future requests for department funds. Financial support is also available for graduate students through the School's Financial Aid Office. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Association of University Women, Colorado Scientific Society, Geological Society of America, Sigma Xi, and Society of Economic Geologists have given grants in the past.
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Association of Engineering Geologists (AEG), Society of Economic Geologists (SEG), and American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) all have student chapters on campus. There is also the Association of Geoscience Students (AGS). New students are encouraged to become involved in the activities of these groups. It is a great way to make contacts, learn useful information about the Department and help shape your life and studies at CSM. AEG is open to students in disciplines related to engineering geology, geological engineering, and hydrogeology. The purpose of the organization is to promote activities that expand the experience and knowledge of the student members in these disciplines. Monthly meetings, which feature speakers from industry and government, are held along with field trips and social events. Any student studying the geological sciences is eligible for membership in SEG. Purposes of the Society are to encourage increased knowledge of geology and its application to mining and mineral deposits, to promote professionalism and provide opportunities to meet geological professionals in the mining industry. Activities include technical speakers, field trips, and social events. The student chapter of AAPG is open to any student majoring in geology. The purpose of the chapter is to advance the science of geology, especially as it relates to petroleum and natural gas and to promote and maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Activities include speakers and social events. AGS is open to graduate and undergraduate students interested in the enjoyment of geology and promotion of geologic education. Activities include field trips to mineral localities, historic mining districts, oil fields, museums, mineral shows, professional conventions, and presentations by invited speakers. AIPG is open to all geology students. It is an umbrella organization encompassing all geology disciplines. It focuses on promotion of high standards of professional practice and communication of the importance of geology to society. Monthly meetings are held during the academic year and presentations focus on topical issues such as ethics, junk science, and responsibilities of a consultant.
For Affirmative Action Policy, Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Procedure, Sexual Harassment Policy, and Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure see Appendix in Graduate Bulletin.
Graduate student office space is allotted each semester on a priority basis and coordinated by Marilyn Schwinger, Departmental Administrative Assistant. The order of priority is:
Graduate students may retain their office only during the period in which they hold a TA, RA or are actively engaged in writing their thesis. When no longer entitled to an office, students must vacate the space making it ready for the next occupant and notify Marilyn Schwinger that they have vacated. There will be a waiting list of names for office space and will be awarded on a lottery system when space becomes available. All names, including former TAs and RAs, will be in the drawing. People whose names were drawn will be given the available space. Mailboxes [Return to Index] Each semester every graduate student in the Department is assigned a mailbox located in Room 215 of Berthoud Hall. Graduate students are not to use the Department as their principal mailing address. Mailroom will not deliver incoming or accept outgoing personal mail. Computing Resources [Return to Index] Departmental Computer Facilities
Computer Center - Green Center
Office Personnel [Return to Index] If you have any questions please stop by the office and speak with the office personnel. A brief description of their duties and some office procedures are listed below. The office staff is here to help so please feel free to stop by the main office. Debbie Cockburn
Marilyn Schwinger
Supplies/Copies [Return to Index]
Use of Laboratories and Equipment [Return to Index] The Department has laptop computers and LCD projectors that can be reserved for presentations through Debbie. If this equipment is unavailable from the Department, the Green Center might be able to supply it. There are also slide projectors that can be checked out from the Main Office. Use of various laboratories is monitored by the faculty and/or staff member in charge of each facility. Access to and use of these facilities is controlled by the issuance of keys by Department assistants with written permission from the responsible faculty/staff member. Students must demonstrate their ability to operate specific laboratory equipment independently before receiving a key to that laboratory. Any questions regarding use of any lab should be directed to the designated person listed below. For a listing of analytical equipment and work request procedures see appendices.
John Skok operates the thin section lab, in Room 147A of Berthoud Hall. John will cut, polish, stain (and almost anything but describe) your thin sections. Check with him if you would like special processing of your thin sections. Thirty thin sections per thesis are available at no charge from the Department. A written request for additional thin sections will be considered by the thesis committee for a thesis that requires an unusually large amount of petrographic work. John also checks out Brunton compasses. Bruntons and other types of surveying equipment can also be checked out from the Engineering Department. Travel Expense Support for Technical Presentation at Professional Meetings [Return to Index] Depending on the availability of funds, the department will help defray travel expense for graduate students whose abstracts have been accepted for oral or poster session presentation at regional, national, or international meetings. The department strongly encourages such professional activities. Written requests for such support, with supporting documentation, should be submitted to the Department Head as soon as the abstract has been accepted.
Graduate students must meet a number of responsibilities and fulfill certain requirements during their degree program. This section presents these requirements, deadlines, and suggested guidelines for completing these responsibilities. A two-year Master's program is possible, but only if these deadlines and guidelines are followed closely. The duration of Ph.D. programs is more variable. Examples of the forms referred to below are included in the Appendix. Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC) [Return to Index] The GAC consists of faculty members appointed by the Department Head. The GAC selects new graduate students, awards financial aid, approves leave of absence, approves thesis committees, assures that all students make reasonable progress, and complete degrees in a timely manner. Policy changes affecting graduate programs are first considered by the GAC before submission to the Department Faculty. The GAC makes minor policy decisions and establishes procedures for administering the graduate program. Registration [Return to Index] Registration requirements include the following:
Full-Time Student Hour Requirements [Return to Index] To be deemed full-time during the fall and spring semesters, students must register for 10 or more hours of course, research, and thesis credit combined. However, international students need only register for 6 credit hours per semester during their first year, if they are required to take special language instruction or are accepted in Provisional Status. In the event a student has completed his or her required course work and research credits (36 hours for master's students and 72 hours for doctoral students) and has an approved Admission to Candidacy form on file in the Graduate Office, the student will be deemed full-time if he or she is registered for at least 4 credit hours of thesis. To be deemed full-time during the summer semester, students must register for a minimum of 3 credit hours. Leave of Absence [Return to Index] Leaves of absence will be granted only when unanticipated circumstances make it temporarily impossible for students to continue to work toward a degree. Any request for a leave of absence must have the prior approval of the student's faculty advisor, Graduate Advisory Committee, the department head, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. The request for a leave of absence must be in writing and must include (1) the reasons why the student must interrupt his or her studies and (2) a plan (including a timeline and deadline) for resuming and completing the work toward the degree in a timely fashion. Thesis-based students may not do any work related to their thesis and may not discuss their thesis with their faculty advisor while on a leave of absence. Students who wish to return to graduate studies after an unauthorized leave of absence must apply for readmission and pay a $200 readmission fee. Grade Point Average [Return to Index] A cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 must be maintained. Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA will result in academic probation. Students failing to attain a 3.0 GPA by the end of a semester during which they are on probation are subject to suspension. Credit will be given for a grade of "C", however, a GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained. Graduate credit will not be given for courses in which grades less than "C" were received. Transfer Credits [Return to Index] Transfer credits from other universities or from non-degree programs at CSM must be approved by the student's committee, GAC, and the Graduate Dean. Only courses in which a grade of "B" or better was received may be considered for transfer. These credits will not be used in calculation of a student's GPA. A maximum of 9 hours, which were not counted toward any other awarded degree, can be transferred into a Master's degree program. Thirty hours of course credit are automatically granted to Ph.D. students entering with a M.Sc. degree. No more than 9 hours taken as a CSM non-degree student can be transferred and no more than 3 of these units can be 400-level, the remainder must be graduate level. Progress Grades [Return to Index] Student may receive a grade of In Progress-Satisfactory or In Progress-Unsatisfactory (PRG or PRU) for a course or thesis research hours extending more than one semester. An In Progress grade indicates that the work is not complete. Progress towards successful completion of a graduate degree shall be deemed unsatisfactory if any of the following conditions occur: Failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater, receipt of an In Progress-Unsatisfactory for research or thesis. Upon the second occurrence of an unsatisfactory progress indication, the Dean shall notify the student that he or she is subject to discretionary dismissal according to the Probation and Discretionary procedure listed in the Bulletin. Incomplete Grades [Return to Index] If a student, because of illness or other reasonable excuse, fails to complete a course, a grade of INC (Incomplete) is given. The grade INC indicates deficiency in quantity of work and is temporary. Graduate students must remove all incomplete grades within the first four weeks of the semester immediately following that in which the incomplete was received and in which the student is registered. If the course requirements are not completed within this period, the grade will become an "F", unless the Registrar extends the time based upon the recommendation of the instructor. Graduate Seminar [Return to Index] All graduate students are required to take GEOL 607 Graduate Seminar. GEOL 607 is designed to increase student effectiveness in oral and written communications. The course requires submission of an outline for a written thesis or engineering report proposal and a public oral presentation of the proposal. Students should take GEOL 607 early in their programs (first two semesters) concomitant with preparation of the thesis or engineering report proposal they will submit to their committees for approval. A proposal should be approved by a student's thesis committee prior to completing substantial research on the project. Discussion with your temporary or permanent advisor is suggested. If a student completes both a Master's degree and a Ph.D. at CSM, GEOL 607 is required only once. Minor Fields [Return to Index] A minor field of study is optional in a Master's degree program. A minimum of 9 semester hours in a department other than Geology and Geological Engineering must be completed to satisfy the minor field. These credits may be taken at another school. The courses must be approved by the student's committee, home Department Head, and a faculty representative of the minor area of study. If a minor is declared, a member of the minor department will be placed on the committee. All doctoral candidates in the Geology or Geological Engineering degree programs must take a minor program of study in addition to the major field of emphasis. This program of at least 12 semester hours is intended to provide breadth of knowledge in support of the student's principal research interests. The minor course sequence must be approved by the student's doctoral committee and department head, and should be well organized and sufficient to define preparation in a supporting field. A member of the minor area of study will serve on the student's committee. Deficiencies [Return to Index] Students with an insufficient background in a particular area of geology or related science will be notified at the time of acceptance. They will be required to take appropriate courses to satisfy these deficiencies as approved by their committee. No graduate credit will be received for these courses. Any student receiving a "D" in a deficiency course will be required to repeat the course. Deficiencies should be removed as soon as possible after enrollment. Deficiency courses may be taken at a school other than CSM, if approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee. Temporary Advisors [Return to Index] Entering students are assigned a temporary advisor by GAC upon acceptance into the program. The role of the student's temporary advisor is guidance and advice. A research advisor should be chosen by each student through consultation with faculty in the student's area of interest and a thesis committee should be formed, preferably during the second semester. Students should not feel obligated to select a thesis topic under their temporary advisor. Research/Thesis Committees [Return to Index] Master of Science, Master of Engineering, or Doctor of Philosophy students should choose a research advisor and thesis committee as soon as possible (at least by the second semester) by meeting with faculty members who are interested in appropriate research topics. A completed committee form, available online (see appendix for sample), should be submitted to Marilyn Schwinger for transmittal to GAC. The form will then be submitted to the Grad School. Students are required to have the research/thesis committee assigned by the end of their second semester as a graduate student at CSM. The purpose of a thesis committee is to monitor progress in course and thesis work; meetings between student and committee are arranged as needed, and should be no less than one a semester. It is most important that the student and thesis committee stay closely in touch to prevent any miscommunication or misinterpretation of work to be done and progress to be made. It is up to the student to schedule all meetings. The thesis committee will oversee the student's entire graduate program including transfer of credits, elimination of deficiencies, course of study, thesis proposal, thesis research, and thesis defense. A minimum of three faculty members constitute a M.Sc. or M.Engr. committee; two members should be from the home department, however, exceptions can be made with the approval of the GAC. The form now requires that students attach a brief resume for off-campus committee members who hold voting status on the committee. For a Ph.D. dissertation committee, there must be a minimum of five members; three members from the home or allied departments, one member representing the minor field, and one member outside the home or allied department recommended by the student and advisor(s). The form now requires that students attach a brief resume for off-campus committee members who hold voting status on the committee. It is felt that the roles and involvement of adjunct faculty are variable, and therefore, their membership on these committees must be approved by GAC on a case-by-case basis. Additional members, such as non-CSM personnel, may be included on the committee. Off-campus members have the option of voting or non-voting (ex officio) status. Voting members have all responsibilities of academic members, including advising on technical matters, reading and critiquing the dissertation, attending committee meetings, the qualifying examination, and the defense of dissertation. Emeritus and adjunct professors may serve as advisors; faculty and others outside the department may serve as co-advisor. In the use of a co-advisor, the committee should be increased by one member. A thesis committee request form must be filled out by the student (online, see appendix for sample), signed by the thesis advisor, initialed by each committee member, approved by GAC, and Department Head before submission to the graduate school. Thesis committees must be approved by the graduate school. Once the committee is established, an initial meeting to approve the student's proposal, deficiencies, and course program should be held. Steps for Completing Thesis Defense [Return to Index] Students must complete the following steps by the stated deadlines (2005-2006) in order to defend their thesis and graduate at the end of the semester. The defense is scheduled via the Thesis Defense Request form (online and see sample in appendix) and signed by all committee members. See Marilyn Schwinger for room assignment in Berthoud Hall. Return completed form to Marilyn. Announcement of thesis defense will be sent to committee members, the student and will be posted on the lecture board. The Statement of Work Completion and a copy of student transcript will be sent to the Thesis Advisor.
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