MSc in Geosciences in San Francisco United States | San Francisco State University

The Master of Science in Geosciences offers an advanced curriculum designed to equip students for careers in private industry, government roles, community college or high school teaching positions, or further academic pursuits toward a doctoral degree. This graduate program also serves as a platform for practicing geoscientists to enhance and modernize their professional competencies.

Faculty in the Department of Earth & Climate Sciences specialize in key disciplines like geology, hydrology, oceanography, and paleoclimatology—areas vital for addressing environmental challenges including pollution, seismic activity, shoreline degradation, and climate change. While the M.S. program doesn't mandate specific concentrations, students typically focus their research on topics matching faculty specialties. The department promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, especially within the San Francisco Bay Area context, and encourages connections with other university departments as well as local organizations and businesses.

The curriculum requires coursework in each student's chosen specialization alongside three foundational classes: ERTH 700 (an introductory seminar), plus ERTH 701 and 702 (research and quantitative methods courses that build thesis preparation skills). Thesis projects demand scientific rigor and frequently incorporate laboratory experiments, fieldwork, or computational analysis.

Prospective students are advised to develop their academic plan prior to enrollment, working closely with both a faculty advisor in their research focus area and the graduate program coordinator.