Geology, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Students who have an M.S. degree must normally complete a minimum of 12 credits of coursework applicable to a graduate degree with at least 9 credits at the 600 level or above. Coursework requirements for students who do not hold an M.S. degree will be established by the Director of Graduate Studies after discussion with the student's advisor but normally will be 30 credits of coursework applicable to a graduate degree, 21 of which must be at the 600 level or above, and normally 24 credits must be from the Department of Geology, or in the case of an interdisciplinary study, an appropriate program approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. The Ph.D. degree requirements include satisfactory completion of course work, defense of a research proposal, an oral candidacy and research proposal examination, and a successful dissertation defense. The Ph.D. commonly requires three to four years of work, if conducted after the completion of an M.S. program, or four to five years from the time of admission if pursued directly from the bachelor level.

Entering with an M.S. Degree

Entering without an M.S. Degree