Natural hazards and climate change are two of the fields of study for a new master’s degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The master’s degree in geoscience will be offered beginning in fall 2014 by the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

The degree is intended to prepare students to pursue a career in a variety of fields, including geological and environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, hydrology, natural resource exploration and renewable energy development.

The program was designed in collaboration with professionals already working in geosciences fields in Hawaii.  The emphasis is on applied geoscience coursework, with key courses scheduled in the evenings or remotely accessible with an eye toward helping people with full-time jobs.

Each student will complete a final work-related project with a local company or agency.