The Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in geoscience. The general focus of the program is the development of professionals capable of conducting research in geoscience through broadly-based study of modern Earth and ocean processes and their ancient analogs.

The program includes both a thesis and non-thesis option, both of which provide a foundation for employment in the geological, geospatial technology, and environmental fields, mineral and energy industries, and government agencies.