Master of Science in Earth Science Courses, Syllabus Jobs and Salary

M.Sc. in Earth Science is a 2-year long course divided into 4 semesters, minimum qualification for which is a B.Sc. in Geology from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate score of 60%.  

The course offers advanced insight into a number of disciplines such as oceanography, hydrology, geology, volcanology, geomagnetism, soil science, and astronomy etc. to familiarize eligible candidates with the earth as a comprehensive system instead of isolated processes and fields.

The average tuition fee charged in India for the course ranges between INR 3,000 and 1.5 Lacs. Admission is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance exam such as the JAM entrance exam.

Successful postgraduates of the course are hired in capacities such as Volcanologists, Petroleum Geologists, Environmental Geologists, Earth Science Teachers, Glacial or Quaternary Geologists, Structural Geologists and Hydrogeologists etc., and in industries such as mining, oil and gas, minerals and water resources., and also in colleges and universities as teachers.

Master of Science in West Bengal

Master of Science in Tamil Nadu

Master of Science in Assam

Master of Science in Maharashtra

The initial salary offered in India to such postgraduates varies between INR 1.5 and 3.5 Lacs annually.

Organizations such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC), Hindustan Zinc Ltd, Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC), Coal India and Mineral Exploration Ltd. Etc. hire such postgraduates.

M.Sc. in Earth Science: Course Highlights

Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.

M.Sc. in Earth Science: What is it About?

The course aims to develop in eligible candidates a critical understanding of appropriate earth- related tools, exposure to new methods and techniques, competence in developing tools for the acquisition, processing, transformation, analysis, modelling, storage and presentation of spatial data, application of geo- information in identifying and responding to development problems and in drafting development policies, developing research skills to design and undertake research and development projects in various fields of geo-informatics. Upon successful completion of the course, students would be able to:

• analyze problems related to geo-information, encountered in professional practice and to develop appropriate methods for studying and/ or solving such problems
• choose and possibly develop appropriate methods for geospatial framework data collection and processing
• apply programming languages
• apply geo-information science and earth observation technology to generate, integrate, analyze and visualize spatial data
• understand and apply the principles of databases and data models and to use database query languages
• formulate and carry out independent research in the general field of geo-informatics, possibly as part of a multi-disciplinary research and development project
• communicate and defend geoinformatics- based research methods and findings.

Top Institutes Offering M.Sc. in Earth Science

Listed below are some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by each:

Eligibility for M. Sc. in Earth Science

Listed here are the minimum criteria of eligibility needed to be fulfilled for applying to the course.

• B.Sc. First Class/Division with Geology as major subject and Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Biological Science as subsidiaries with Mathematics as one of the subjects at the 10+2 level with a minimum aggregate score of 60%.
• B.Sc. with any electives/B.E. (Civil, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Information Science and Mining)/ B.Sc.-Ag., of any university recognised by the UGC.

M.Sc. in Earth Science: Admission Process

Admission to the course is based on the candidate’s performance in the Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. (JAM) conducted at 52 centers in the country, generally in the first/ second week of May. Centralized admission to IITs is made on the basis of the candidate’s rank in the Joint Admission Test and the choice opted for by the candidate.

M.Sc. in Earth Science: Syllabus and Course Description

A semester- wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.

M.Sc. in Earth Science: Career Prospects

Geo professionals are involved in exploration, surveys and production, both indoors (laboratories and offices) and outdoors (on land or at sea), often in particularly demanding conditions and in remote locations.

Mining geologists often work underground in damp conditions, often needing to wear protective clothing and safety equipment. Many geologists spend time away from home, ranging from a few days to several months. Work and travel abroad is a feature of some jobs.

Salaries of Geo professionals vary depending upon their individual qualifications, experience, and scale of the hiring organization. Geo-Professionals find employment in research institutes, private research centers and oil companies etc.

Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.

Aspirants seeking admission to the course must have graduated in relevant stream from a recognized University.