r/geologycareers • u/SkiHuntFish • 3d ago
Switching Careers, M.S. Thesis vs Non-Thesis
Hello All,
I am an Electronics Engineer and as the title suggest I am trying to switch my career path into geophysics. I have a B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in A.I. and Robotics. I've been looking into CSM's Geophysics and Geophysical Engineering programs and see they have a thesis and a non-thesis option. After reviewing their coursework I found they have a lot of courses that I am heavily interested in. I will be working at my current job, while I attend. Is there much of a benefit for me to go for the Thesis track? I do not have much of a intention to go for any education higher than a Masters and have 1 year of funding from the GI Bill for funding.
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u/GeoHog713 2d ago
If the non-thesis has some sort of research or capstone project, then that's fine. If there is no project outside of courses, that can be frowned upon.
School of Mines might be one of the very few exceptions to that.
You need to get in contact with someone that has completed the non-thesis program in the last couple years, and see if it held them back.
Also get referrals to people that are doing whatever it is you want to do, when you graduate. Their insight will be more valuable than ours
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u/licensetoillite Environmental Geologist 2d ago
Mines alumnus here with MS in non thesis track for hydologic science and engineering. Cant speak for Geophysical engineering, but I got a job a few months after my thesis track friends, but overall loads better than years after undergrad without any bites and working outside of my industry. While others did thesis work, I interned and focused on professional development.
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u/No_Flounder5160 2d ago
Was the last thesis option as my program swapped over to professional coursework only option. I’d say the key is what you can get paid for. Only reason I could see doing thesis option would be if you’re trying to get into the R&D group of big oil to show research experience. If going thesis, connect with program researchers before applying to programs to find a funded research project.
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u/sowedkooned 2d ago
If pursuing academia or a position based on research, then a thesis it is. Maybe you can get by on the research side without the thesis. Otherwise, your degree will probably say MS in Geoohysics or whatever, you’ll have it on your resume, and no one is likely to ask about your thesis unless you bring it up.
I’d imagine you’ll still do a professional paper, and on some level will still have to design a plan and conduct some research.
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u/enocenip 3d ago edited 3d ago
I did a non thesis program for my masters. It opens the right doors for interviews and gets your resume on the desks it needs to be on. I learned a lot and was able to balance life/work/education while I did. It worked out well for me. And it’s not like the diploma says “MS Geoscience (Online, no thesis)”. Employers only see the masters, and it usually doesn’t come up in the interview.