Program of Study and Research (60 credits, minimum)
Each student's course of study is planned with a graduate committee that takes into account previous preparation, area of specialization, and professional objectives. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits of advanced courses, seminars, independent study, and research. In addition to taking other courses as advised by the graduate committee of the Geology program, you must complete Geo 512, or Geo 515 [General Geochemistry, or Environmental Geochemistry] and Geo 517 [Tectonics] and four courses from among other graduate level lecture courses. As well as the normal 60 credits of graduate courses, students are required to take Geo 500 [Seminar in Geology] each semester of their registration.
Dissertation
Each student must submit an acceptable dissertation which
represents a significant and original research contribution in the
area of specialization chosen.
[University
PhD
dissertation format requirements]
Department Examinations
1. A proficiency examination in optical mineralogy and petrography may be given at the beginning of the first semester of graduate study.
2. You must pass a written qualifying examination in one of the following fields: tectonics; structural geology; geochemistry; or environmental geochemistry. This examination is normally taken during the third or fourth semester of graduate study.
3. You must pass an oral examination focused on presentation and defense of an original research proposal. This examination will normally be taken during the fourth or fifth semester of graduate study.
4. You must complete satisfactorily an oral defense of the dissertation.
Research Tool Requirement
A foreign language may or may not be required for the Ph.D.
depending on the relevance of such a language to the student's
thesis. The relevance of a foreign language is to be decided by
the student's committee. If a decision for no foreign language is
made, then an alternative research tool proposal must be made by
the committee. The acceptance of this alternative is to be made by
a majority vote of the Geology program faculty. If a decision for
a foreign language is made by the committee, then this must also
be submitted to the departmental faculty for ratification. The
advisory committee may, at its discretion, require a second
foreign language.
Admission to Candidacy
You are admitted to candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy upon the following:
1. Satisfactory record in course and research study.
2. Completion of the University residence requirements.
3. Satisfactory completion of research tool requirement.
4. Satisfactory completion of the comprehensive and qualifying examinations.
5. Approval of proposed dissertation topic.
Ancillary Duties
In addition to the completion of course requirements, satisfactory performance in some ancillary teaching, research, or practicum duties contributing to academic development is required, whether or not you receive financial support from this institution. These duties are assigned with educational objectives in mind.