Geology

Overview

The graduate students of the Geology program of The University of Toledo learn to assess, understand and solve geology-related problems. They choose a thesis or non-thesis track and:

• Receive personalized training in a variety of near-surface geophysical methods with state-of-the-art equipment 

• Develop desirable skills in GIS, remote sensing and sediment coring 

• Learn to collect and analyze data to solve problems 

• Coastal geology

• Hydrogeology

• Glacial geology and geomorphology

• Water resources

• Quaternary geology

Geology Master Degree Highlights

High job-placement rate. There is a growing demand for UToledo geology students by state geological surveys in the Midwest. Most of our geology master's students are employed by the time they graduate. 

State-of-the-art tools. UT graduate students in geology have access to the latest equipment, including: 

• Geophysical equipment to investigate shallow, sub-surface stratigraphy on land and water 

• Coring equipment from land, water and ice platforms 

• Fleet of drones to complement more traditional remote-sensing and GIS methods 

A rich, natural laboratory. The region around UT offers abundant natural sites that allow our master's students to study: 

• Geologic history of natural areas

• Mine subsidence

• Formation and history of sand dunes around the Great Lakes

• Watershed modelling of runoff and nutrient loading in Lake Erie

• Deglacial history and formation of the Great Lakes basins

• Groundwater flow patterns in aquifers feeding wet prairies

Teamwork. Geology students get a holistic understanding of unique ecological areas. They work on interdisciplinary projects with UToledo ecologists who also are part of the Department of Environmental Sciences. Master's candidates study groundwater/surface-water interactions and use geophysical and remote-sensing techniques to map ecological regions. 

Regional partnerships. Our graduate students benefit from our collaboration with experts from the Ohio, Michigan and Indiana geological surveys, who assist with field experiments.  

Competitive funding. UToledo geology graduate students can apply for research grants and teaching assistantships (minimum $17,500/year). 

Career Opportunities

During the past 10 years, nearly all UToledo master's students in geology have been employed within six months of defending their theses. Many found positions even before they graduated, working for geological surveys, city governments and environmental consulting firms.