The Department of Geoscience offers Graduate Assistantships that are merit-based and competitive with other institutions. In 1998-99, 91% of all resident M.S. and Ph.D. candidates received appointments and were considered residents for tuition purposes. In that year, stipends for half-time appointments ranged from $13,320-14,420.

All students admitted with regular status are eligible for Graduate Assistantships. Those admitted conditionally will be required to reach regular status before being eligible for a Graduate Assistantship. Graduate Assistantships are offered for two academic years for the M.S. degree, three more academic years for the Ph.D. degree (if the M.S. is attained in two years here), four academic years for the Ph.D. degree (if the M.S. is held from another institution), or five academic years if only a B.S. is held. These offers apply as long as satisfactory work is being done for the Graduate Assistantship, and satisfactory progress is being made toward completion of the degree.

Teaching Assistantships

In addition to the eligibility requirements outlined above, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in English before being considered for a Teaching Assistantship. Applicants whose primary language is English can establish proficiency by (1) having a minimum score of 500 on the verbal GRE test, (2) having appropriate comments concerning English proficiency included in letters of recommendation, or (3) being interviewed by a member of the Graduate Admissions Committee. Applicants whose primary language is not English (e.g., applicants from countries where English is not a primary language) can establish proficiency by taking a test of oral English proficiency offered by the University.

Teaching Assistants are evaluated every semester for teaching proficiency and communication skills by compiling student evaluations and observation by a supervising instructor. Recommendations for enhancing these skills or reassignment may be made based on these evaluations.

Teaching assistants are responsible for teaching lab and discussion sections in the following courses:

· 12:003 Earth History and Resources
· 12:004 Evolution and History of Life
· 12:005 Introduction to Geology
· 12:008 Introduction to Environmental Science
· 12:041 Mineralogy
· 12:052 Petrology
· 12:092 Structural Geology
· 12:093 Geologic Field Methods
· 12:102 Earth Surface Processes
· 12:110 Introduction to Remote Sensing
· 12:121 Principles of Paleontology
· 12:153 Geocomputing
· 12:166 Hydrogeology

In addition, advanced students have the opportunity to teach 12:003 Earth History and Resources and 12:008 Introduction to Environmental Science during the summer session.

Research Assistantships

Research assistantships are typically funded by faculty grants, and vary depending on the nature of the funded project. Duties often involve activities such as: sample collection and preparation; collection, analysis, and interpretation of analytical or measurement data; preparation of maps and diagrams; and assistance with fieldwork.

Fellowships and Scholarships

Outstanding students entering their first year of graduate school and enrolled in doctoral programs may apply for Iowa Fellowships. These fellowships carry a minimum stipend of $17,500 plus full tuition for four years on a 12-month basis. For two of the four years and all summers, recipients have no assignments and are free to pursue their own research.

Departmental Tuition Scholarships

In addition to out-of-state tuition adjustments, the Department also awards a significant number of tuition scholarships based on merit.

For additional information, see:
http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/graduate/index.html
http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/graduate/financial_assistance.html