The Applied Geology Option also awards the degree of M.S. in Geology. It is designed for students who plan to enter an area of applied geoscience (e.g., engineering geology, hydrogeology, applied geophysics, environmental geology). This option can be completed in about 1.5 years by students who enter the department with no deficiencies, but generally will take 2 years. Students pursuing this degree option do not write traditional theses. As many employers expect M.S. recipients to have completed a thesis, this option is not commonly used. We do not currently accept new students for the non-thesis master’s degree. Admitted students must declare their intent to pursue the non-thesis option at least one semester prior to completing degree requirements. Such requests must be approved by the Department Head for the non-thesis option to be pursued.