Informal Concentrations in Geology
Although formal graduate concentrations are not offered, three informal concentrations have been developed for Master's students: Engineering Geology, Tectonics, and Hydrogeology. For information on the recommended curriculum for these concentrations, see the sections below.
Engineering Geology | Tectonics | Hydrogeology
Engineering Geology
The Masters of Science program in Engineering Geology at San José State University
is characterized by three major components: 1) a quality, broadly based education
in the many facets of geology, 2) field experience, and 3) communication skills (oral
and written). The University is ideally located for the study of many elements of
Engineering Geology because it is only 10 miles from the active San Andreas fault,
20 miles from the dynamic Pacific coastline, adjacent to the tectonically active Coast
Ranges of California, and within the Santa Clara Valley ("Silicon Valley") at the
southern end of San Francisco Bay. Many of the problems with which engineering geologists
are challenged are easily visited and studied.
Topics which have formed the bases for studies by faculty and students of the Department include: coastal erosion, fault activity evaluation, rock and soil slope stability, liquefaction, groundwater contamination, and effective land use planning. Because of the proximity of such organizations as the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, many large and small private consulting firms, and other major universities, numerous opportunities for personal and professional interaction and cooperative investigation exist.
Example Course Schedule
A Master's degree in Geology may be attained by submitting a successfully completed program of 30 well-chosen units to the Department of Geology at San José State University. A recommended program of courses at the graduate level includes:
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| Advanced Engineering Geology | 4 |
| Advanced Hydrogeology | 4 |
| Advanced Structural Geology | 4 |
| Graduate Seminar | 2 |
| Thesis Research | 4 |
| Applied Geophysics | 3-6 |
| Soil Mechanics, Geomorphology, Geochemistry, Remote Sensing, etc. | 6-9 |
| TOTAL | 30 |
The success of the program is demonstrated in several ways including the fact that students are able to compete successfully in the job market.
Tectonics
Program
Interests embraced by the faculty within the field of tectonics range from modern to Paleozoic plate interactions, to the development of cratonal basins far from plate margins. Data from many fields of Geology, including Geochemistry, Geophysics, Marine Geology, Paleontology, Petrology, Sedimentology, and Structural Geology, are being brought together in an attempt to understand tectonic processes and to unravel tectonic history, especially of regions around the Pacific Rim. The diversity of interests of the geologists involved and their field orientation are perhaps the program's most notable features.
Example Course Schedule
A Master's degree in Geology may be attained by submitting a successfully completed program of 30 well-chosen units to the Department of Geology at San José State University. A recommended program of courses at the graduate level includes:
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| Sedimentary Basins | 4 |
| Structural Geology | 4 |
| Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| Sedimentary Petrology | 4 |
| Seminar (on a topic in tectonics and/or geophysics) | 2 |
| Research | 2 |
| Thesis | 4 |
| Electives (chosen with advisor's approval) | 6 |
| TOTAL | 30 |
Hydrogeology
The following courses are strongly recommended to give the student adequate preparation
for a career in hydrogeology.
Background Courses (To be Completed at the Beginning of Study):
- Math through ordinary differential equations
- Fluid Mechanics - ME 111
Coursework:
- Hydrogeology - Geol 138
- Engineering Geology - Geol 140
- Advanced Hydrogeology - Geol 238
- Advanced Engineering Geology - Geol 220
- Advanced Sedimentary Geology - Geol 222, or
- Advanced Geomorphology - Geol 234
Electives (Selection to be Based Upon the Area of Special Interest to Student):
- Hazardous Materials - Geol 174
- Geochemistry - Geol 135
- Partial Differential Equations - Math 133B
- Engineering Hydrology - CE 152
- Groundwater, Seepage, and Drainage Control - CE 241
- Water Resources Engineering - CE 250
- Advanced Hydrology - CE 252
- Water Quality - CE 270
- Industrial & Hazardous Waste Management & Treatment - CE274
- Numerical Methods - ME 270
- Finite Element Methods - ME 273