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  1. Programs
  3. Natural Sciences - Geosciences Track

Natural Sciences - Geosciences Track

Columbus State University

Master's DegreeAcademic

Become a contributor for free to openly demonstrate student outcomes, industry alignment & eligibility criteria.

The M.S. in Natural Sciences program develops a broad based scientific background in one of four tracks: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geosciences. The program also develops the research skills necessary to design and conduct original research. The opportunity to take graduate courses in a specific track or combine graduate courses from each of the tracks allows the student to design a graduate course of study to suit his or her own specific interests and goals.

Credits

36 credits

Format

In-Person

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

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Locations

Where this program is offered

  • Georgia

    Georgia

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Related Programs

Programs related to this one

No related programs.

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populated·from O*NET via SOC 47-4061.00

Skills

Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingMonitoringCoordinationRepairingQuality Control Analysis

Knowledge

TransportationMechanicalBuilding and ConstructionPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and Management

Abilities

Control PrecisionManual DexterityMultilimb CoordinationProblem SensitivityArm-Hand SteadinessReaction TimeFar VisionFlexibility of ClosureVisualizationNear Vision

Tasks

  • Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
  • Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
  • Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.

Technology

Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareTime accounting software

Tools

Adjustable hand wrenchesAir drillsAir purifying respiratorsAir-powered wrenchesBackhoesClaw barsCrowbarsDolliesDump trucksFall protection harnessesForkliftsGas-powered wrenchesGlobal positioning system GPS receiversGrading equipmentGrease guns

Work Values

SupportRelationshipsWorking ConditionsIndependenceAchievementRecognition
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populated·from O*NET + BLS
Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOCOccupationMethodWageGrowthOpenings
Match confidence: medium47-4061.00Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorstitle_inference———
What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populated·from NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: advanced (Level 4)(based on Master's Degree)

  • Track maintenance programs across multiple assigned territories — develop and implement preventive and corrective strategies aligned with regulatory requirements and organizational capital budgets.
  • Crew safety culture and cautiousness standards — establish, model, and enforce site safety protocols and right-of-way protection procedures across all maintenance and laying crews.
  • Operator training curricula — design and deliver hands-on instruction for emerging and developing equipment operators covering machine operation, welding, and inspection techniques.
  • Track quality benchmarks and inspection criteria — set department-wide quality control standards for rail alignment, weld integrity, and spike patterns, and audit crews for compliance.
  • Complex or high-risk track repairs — lead technical decision-making for emergency switch failures, broken rail events, or derailment-related track restoration under time-critical conditions.
  • Equipment fleet maintenance strategy — direct preventive maintenance schedules, capital replacement planning, and vendor coordination for spike drivers, rail saws, and tamping machines.
  • Interdepartmental coordination — serve as the primary liaison between track maintenance crews, transportation operations, and engineering teams to schedule track outages with minimal service disruption.
  • Regulatory and public safety compliance — interpret Federal Railroad Administration and state rail authority requirements and translate them into operational procedures followed by the entire maintenance workforce.
  • Performance metrics and ERP reporting — analyze production, equipment availability, and defect-recurrence data to identify systemic inefficiencies and recommend resource reallocation to leadership.
  • Organizational knowledge transfer — mentor senior operators in advanced welding, machine troubleshooting, and leadership skills to build succession depth across the track maintenance function.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.

Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Auto-populated·from Scorecard + DOL
Completion Rate
70%
Placement Rate
17%