Ph.D. in Geology with Emphasis in Hydrogeology
Advisor: Alan E. Kehew
Room 1187, Rood Hall
Phone: 269-387-5487
Email: alan.kehew@wmich.edu
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geology with emphasis in hydrogeology is a research degree designed for persons intending to take leadership roles in teaching, research and in applied areas of hydrogeology.
Applicants will be expected to meet the entrance requirements of The Graduate College and to demonstrate that they have an interest in, and aptitude for, conducting high quality research.
As soon as possible after matriculation, students will be assigned an individual doctoral committee chairperson and two faculty sponsors. The composition of the committee will be based on the student's expressed interests. In special cases a third faculty sponsor from another institution or research facility may also be appointed to the doctoral committee. These members of the Graduate Faculty will facilitate and guide the student's development within the academic and research programs of the Department and University.
Admission Requirements
1. Master's degree in hydrogeology or related field, e.g. geology, geophysics, or geochemistry. Applicants with degrees in chemistry, biology, environmental engineering, civil engineering, and geography may be admitted provided they take remedial work in hydrogeology.
2. Grade-point average of 3.25 (of 4.0) in graduate work.
3. Applicants are to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent from academic and/or professional sources.
4. Applicants are to submit the results of the Verbal, Analytical, Quantitative and Geology, or major area if other than geology, portions of the Graduate Record Examination.
Program Requirements
1. Complete at least sixty (60) hours of course and dissertation credits beyond the master's degree. Programs will be developed by the student in consultation with the student's doctoral committee.
2. Two research skills from the following:
a. Reading proficiency in one foreign language other than English selected in consultation with the graduate advisor; and/or
b. Research skill in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. For specific details concerning approved research skills, students will consult with the graduate advisor.
3. Qualifying Examination. Before admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree the student must pass a general examination in hydrogeology. This examination is intended to determine the student's fundamental knowledge of the field in several areas of specialization including: hydrology, geological measurements and interpretation, geochemistry, mathematics/modeling and field methods. It shall consist of an initial written portion, and an oral portion that will be conducted within six months of the successful completion of the written part of the examination. The student will have the opportunity to repeat the written portion of the examination in order to qualify as a Ph.D. candidate.
4. Complete and successfully defend a dissertation on a research topic approved by the student's doctoral committee. Fifteen credit hours are required for the doctoral dissertation.
General Plan and sequence of Program
As soon as possible after admission, and with the advice of the departmental doctoral committee the student will select an advisor who will chair his/her dissertation committee. The doctoral program will be planned by the student in consultation with his/her advisor and the doctoral committee.
Minimum requirements in ancillary fields include mathematics through differential equations and approved upper division courses in chemistry, biology, physics, geography, and statistics. Additional outside course work applicable to the dissertation problem may be required by the doctoral committee. The student will present a seminar on the results of his or her dissertation research to the University and defend his/her dissertation.
D. General Plan and Sequence of Proposed Program
Students entering the Ph.D. program in Hydrogeology will consider the following in developing the curricular sequences in their program:
1. If curricular deficiencies exist, required courses are to be taken beginning in the first semester in residence. A minimum of one deficiency must be satisfied each semester or term until all are removed. All exceptions must be approved by the Graduate Committee.
2. Research tool courses are to be taken as early as practicable in the program of study.
3. Courses that are logical precursors to other courses should be taken in their proper sequential order. Each student will develop a "proper sequencing" of courses with his/her graduate committee.
Sample program for a student entering with a bachelor's degree in geology.
Master's Degree component of program
Courses |
Course Numbers |
Credit Hours |
| Hydrogeology | GEOS 512 |
3 |
| Surface Water Hydrology | GEOS 609 |
3 |
| Hazardous waste Remediation | GEOS 545 |
3 |
| Surface Geophysics | GEOS 525 |
1 |
| Principles & Practices of Aquifer Testing | GEOS 526 |
1 |
| Principles of Well Drilling and Installation | GEOS 527 |
1 |
| Principles/Practices of Ground-water Sampling /Monitoring | GEOS 528 |
1 |
| Hydrogeochemistry | GEOS 600 |
3 |
| Contaminant Hydrogeology | GEOS 615 |
3 |
| Groundwater Modeling | GEOS 605 |
3 |
| Techniques in Water Analysis | CHEM 525 |
2 |
| Master's Thesis | GEOS 700 |
6 |
- Entering students who do not have MATH 274, Ordinary Differential Equations, or CHEM 365, Introduction to Organic Chemistry, will be required to take these courses as deficiencies during their first year in the program.
- Students who have had the equivalent of any of the courses listed will be permitted to take alternate courses from the list of elective courses.
- Entering students will be encouraged to take courses to develop "tool skills" early in their program.
Doctoral portion of program
Courses |
Course Numbers |
Credit Hours |
| Geochronology and Global Change | GEOS 516 |
3 |
| Glacial Geology | GEOS
536
|
3 |
| Electrical Methods | GEOS
563
|
3 |
| Advanced Hydrogeochemistry | GEOS
608
|
3 |
| Mineral Analysis | GEOS 611 |
3 |
| Advanced Hydrogeology | GEOS 612 |
3 |
| Environmental Regulatory Overview | GEOS 614 |
3 |
| Stable Isotope Geochemistry | GEOS 617 |
3 |
| Advanced Seminar in Hydrogeology | GEOS 666 |
3 |
Research and professional field experience
Courses |
Course Numbers |
Credit Hours |
| Independent Research | GEOS 710 |
5 |
| Professional Field Experience | GEOS 712 |
3 |
| Graduate Research | GEOS 735 |
10 |
| Doctoral Dissertation | GEOS 730 |
10 |
Sample program for a student entering with a master's degree in geology.
Students who have had the equivalent of any of the courses listed will be permitted to take alternate courses from the list of elective courses. Entering students will be encouraged to take courses to develop "tool skills" early in their program.
Basic or Core Courses Required in this Program
Courses |
Course Numbers |
Credit Hours |
| Techniques in Water Analysis | CHEM 525 |
2 |
| Applied Hydrogeology | GEOS 515 |
3 |
| Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response | GEOS 523 |
1 |
| Remediation Design and Implementaion | GEOS 524 |
1 |
| Surface Geophysics | GEOS 525 |
1 |
| Principles & Practices of Aquifer Testing | GEOS 526 |
1 |
| Principles of Well Drilling and Installation | GEOS 527 |
1 |
| Principles/Practices of Ground-water Sampling /Monitoring | GEOS 528 |
1 |
| Hydrogeochemistry | GEOS 600 |
3 |
| Groundwater Modeling | GEOS 605 |
3 |
| Advanced Hydrogeochemistry | GEOS 608 |
3 |
| Surface Water Hydrology | GEOS 609 |
3 |
| Advanced Hydrogeology | GEOS 612 |
3 |
| Environmental Regulatory Overview | GEOS 614 |
3 |
| Contaminant Hydrogeology | GEOS 615 |
3 |
| Stable Isotope Geochemistry | GEOS 617 |
3 |
| Advanced Seminar in Hydrogeology | GEOS 666 |
3 |
Research and professional field experience
Courses |
Course Numbers |
Credit Hours |
| Independent Research | GEOS 710 |
5 |
| Graduate Research | GEOS 735 |
10 |
| Doctoral Dissertation | GEOS 730 |
10 |
Elective Courses
Courses |
Course Numbers |
Credit Hours |
| Introduction to Soils | GEOS 506 |
3 |
| Geochronology and Global Change | GEOS 516 |
3 |
| Glacial Geology | GEOS 536 |
3 |
| Introduction to Geochemistry | GEOS 555 |
3 |
| Reflection Seismology | GEOS 561 |
3 |
| Gravity and Magnetic Exploration | GEOS 562 |
3 |
| Electrical Methods | GEOS 563 |
3 |
| Environmental Field GeophysicsOverview | GEOS 564 |
3 |
| Geochemistry | GEOS 610 |
3 |
| Mineral Analysis | GEOS 611 |
3 |
| Wetlands Hydrology | GEOS 613 |
3 |
Research and professional field experience
Courses |
Course Numbers |
Credit Hours |
| Independent Research | GEOS 710 |
5 |
| Graduate Research | GEOS 735 |
10 |
| Doctoral Dissertation | GEOS 730 |
10 |
Financial Assistance
Several departmental, University and grant-funded fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are available from the Department of Geology and from The Graduate College.