Research is a central pillar of the M.Sc. program, allowing students to contribute original work to the geoscience field while honing advanced academic and technical skills. The program culminates in a thesis-based research project which demonstrates a student's ability to design, conduct, and communicate a scientific investigation independently.
1. Master's Thesis (9 Credit Hours)
Each student is required to complete a research thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.
The research must address a significant geological problem, preferably one with applied or environmental relevance in Jordan or the region.
Research Process Includes:
- Topic proposal and literature review
- Fieldwork and/or laboratory investigation
- Data collection, processing, and interpretation
- Writing a scientific thesis following academic standards
- Oral defense (viva voce) before an examination committee
2. Possible Research Areas
Research topics are often aligned with the department's expertise and national priorities. Examples include:
- Environmental Geology:
- Impact of climate change on arid environments
- Land degradation and desertification
- Environmental risk assessment in mining areas
Hydrogeology:
- Groundwater contamination and management
- Aquifer recharge and sustainability
- Water quality modeling using GIS tools
Engineering Geology:
- Slope stability analysis
- Seismic hazard zoning
- Site investigation for infrastructure development
Applied Geochemistry and Geophysics:
- Soil and water pollution mapping
- Geophysical surveys for subsurface characterization
- Mineral exploration and ore deposit modeling
Remote Sensing and GIS Applications:
- Land use change detection
- Geological hazard mapping
- Spatial analysis of environmental data
3. Supervision and Collaboration
Research is supervised by experienced faculty from the Department of Environmental and Applied Geology.
Students are encouraged to collaborate with:
Government agencies (e.g., Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Authority)
NGOs and international organizations
Industry partners in mining, water, or energy sectors
4. Research Skills Development
Through their project, students will gain:
- Scientific writing and publication skills
- Field and lab data analysis techniques
- Proficiency in research software and statistical tools
- Experience in presenting and defending research outcomes