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Degree Requirements

A student may not become a candidate for the Ph.D. degree without first fulfilling the requirements for the M.A. and M.Phil. degrees.

For the M.A. Degree

This degree is prerequisite to the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees unless the student has been awarded two Residence Units of advanced standing.

Program of study: To be approved by an advisory committee designated by the department.

Length of program: No fewer than two Residence Units.

Points of credit taken for a letter grade: 20. Students who are admitted with deficiencies must pass appropriate course work.

Field requirement: Students in terrestrial and marine geology and in solid earth geophysics and planetary science programs are advised to take a field course.

Languages: None.

Examinations for Ph.D. students: Written submission of the results of a research project and a research proposal, and successful oral presentation of these to the student’s advisory committee.

For the M.Phil. Degree

This degree is prerequisite to the Ph.D. degree.

Length of program: The degree is to be completed by the end of the fourth year of study, except for those students granted advanced standing, who must complete the degree by the end of the third year of study. Graduate students who can attend classes only in the late afternoons and evenings and on Saturdays or during the Summer Session may not obtain an M.Phil. degree in this department.

Residence Units: Six full-time, including those earned for the M.A. degree.

Points of courses taken for a letter grade: A minimum of 45 Interests:including those earned toward the M.A. degree) is required, including seminar courses but excluding research points:

Required courses: Interests:1) at least 10 points outside the student’s program of study and in a major subdivision within the department Interests:geochemistry/petrology/ mineralogy; marine geology and geophysics; solid earth geophysics; terrestrial geology/paleontology; oceanography; atmospheric science); Interests:2) an approved field course required of candidates in the first four subdivisions listed above; and Interests:3) courses prescribed by the department subdivision.

Languages: No formal requirement; students in certain disciplines may be asked to show proficiency in a foreign language if their adviser or their research requires it.

Teaching requirement: Participation in the instructional activities of the department for a minimum of one year. As a rule, during two semesters of the first, second and/or third years of study, students gain exposure to teaching as assistants to faculty in lecture courses, and as laboratory leaders. Specific assignments may include supervision of laboratories, assistance on field trips, or curatorial duties.

Research apprenticeship: To be served in laboratory or field research and approved by the student’s advisory committee.

Examinations: A two-hour oral certifying examination, which must be taken by the end of the third academic year, consisting of questioning and discussion centered on the student’s major and minor fields and research, but also concerning general Earth sciences.

Thesis proposal: Within six months of successfully completing the certifying exam, students must present a thesis proposal to their advisory committee Interests:and invited guests, if any).

Summary of requirements for the M.Phil. degree: Interests:1) master’s degree completed; Interests:2) course work and Residence Units completed; Interests:3) apprenticeship served and approved; Interests:4) certifying examination passed; and Interests:5) thesis proposal presented. Performance in the certifying examination determines whether or not the student may continue in residence toward the Ph.D. degree upon completion of the M.Phil. degree.

For the Ph.D. Degree

The M.A. and M.Phil. degrees are prerequisite to the Ph.D. degree.

Recommended length of program: Five years, including the earning of the M.A. and M.Phil. degrees, at least one year of which should be spent in preparing the dissertation. Graduate students who can attend classes only in the late afternoons and evenings and on Saturdays or during the Summer Session may not obtain a Ph.D. degree in this department.

For certification to the Ph.D. examination: Dissertation must have been approved by the candidate’s advisory committee.

Financial Aid

All Ph.D. students receive full funding, which includes the prevailing stipend and appropriate tuition and health fees, for five years, provided that they remain in good academic standing. Arrangements can usually be made to support a Faculty Fellow during the summer months through employment on research grants. If students receive a year of advanced standing they are entitled to only four years of fellowship funding.