Prospective Students

    Learn more about:                              

The Master Degree Program
The Doctoral Degree Program
Application Requirements
Tuition Rates and Fees
Funding Availability
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Department of Geological Sciences
The Graduate School 
The University                                                                          

Applying to our Program   _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Letter from the Director

Thank you for your interest in our graduate studies program in Geological Sciences.  We offer MS and PhD degrees and qualified students are offered financial support (stipend and tuition) through teaching and research assistantships. Our department is part of a rapidly expanding University (www.sc.edu) with unique research initiatives in nanotechnology, health sciences, Future Fuels™, and the environment. The campus is located in the city of Columbia, which is conveniently located near the coast as well as the mountains. It offers a sophisticated cultural scene; an active arts community; a wide range of recreation; exciting attractions and spectator sports; a creative, college town atmosphere.

 I encourage you to get more information from our website.  Email professors directly to identify a potential advisor, and to get detailed information on research opportunities, and apply online.

 The review of applications (for Fall semester admission) and requests for financial support start on February 1^st. Although applications are accepted throughout the year, I urge you to apply before to this date so that we can include you in the list of prospective graduate students that are invited to campus for a visit.

The Admissions committee considers all aspects of an applicant’s file including undergraduate  and/or graduate GPA,  test scores (GRE, TOEFL if International), research experience, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, future potential and motivation. Please be sure to also send your Statement of Purpose and a copy of your application directly to me so that I can keep track of its progress.

 More information on our Department and the Graduate program can be found on our web site:  http://www.geol.sc.edu/

 Applications to our Graduate program are through the Graduate School and can be submitted electronically through the site: http://web.csd.sc.edu/app/grad/

If you have any additional questions or you require more information, please do not hesitate to email me (gsd@geol.sc.edu) or call Ms. Leslyn Brusch-Richardson, the Graduate Coordinator at (803) 777-3959.  Also if you are interested in a specific area of study, feel free to contact me for more information or write/call the appropriate faculty member listed on our departmental directory (see our homepage).

Sincerely,

Raymond Torres, PhD