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Earth Sciences Ph.D.

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College of Science and Engineering (TIOT)602 - Doctor of Philosophy

Minimum GPA to receive degree

3.000
Completion requirement

Take 1 credit of ESCI 8980. Both courses should be taken in the first year of study.

Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
  • 8072201
  • 0100541
Completion requirements

Select credits in consultation with the advisor. Other courses may be applied to this requirement with advisor and director of graduate studies approval.

Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
  • 0034861
  • 0041641
  • 0045591
  • 0043681
  • 8038741
  • 0161861
  • 0021641
  • 0140901
  • 7930771
  • 0046241
  • 0046431
  • 0052031
  • 8124821
  • 0052151
  • 0080721
  • 7907681
  • 7907731
  • 7908631
  • 7907761
  • 0112831
  • 8064571
  • 8064581
  • 0080441
  • 8164891
  • 0043011
  • 0134001
  • 0108331
  • 0108361
  • 0108371
  • 0108391
  • 0047101
  • 0047111
Completion requirement

Select courses as needed, in consultation with the advisor, to complete the 24 course credits required.

Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
  • 0053901
  • 0053911
  • 0053851
  • 0054071
  • 7983891
  • 0039581
  • 0053951
  • 0039591
  • 0053971
  • 8015941
  • 0053991
  • 8038671
  • 0054001
  • 7998221
  • 0054031
  • 0054061
  • 7974001
  • 0054081
  • 8044781
  • 8031631
  • 0053981
  • 8177451
  • 8007581
  • 8064351
  • 8122311
  • 8122321
  • 0105401
  • 0100591
  • 0100611
  • 0100631
  • 8122331
  • 8112481
  • 8122341
  • 8122351
  • 8007011
  • 8001501
  • 8001701
  • 8193631
  • 0075941
  • 0075921
  • 0100531
  • 0100551
Completion requirement

Take thesis credits after passing the preliminary oral exam.

Complete course(s) and earn exactly 24 credit(s) from the following:
  • 7878721
Completion requirements
Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  • 8266711
  • 8112481
Biogeology represents a rapidly growing area at the intersection between Earth and the life sciences. It includes research in microbial evolution and biochemistry, microbe/mineral chemical interactions, the role of organisms in basic geological processes, the principles through which organisms or organic compounds can be used to reconstruct surface conditions, biogeochemical cycling, pollution control and remediation, the origin of life on Earth, and astrobiology.

Completion requirements

Select credits in consultation with the advisor.

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  • ESCI 4xxx

  • ESCI 5xxx

  • ESCI 8xxx

This generalist track exists for students whose curriculum and/or dissertation do not fit any of the other tracks. A curriculum specific to the student will be set through the compact process.

Completion requirements

Select credits in consultation with the advisor.

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  • 0054081
  • 8031631
  • 0053981
Geology uses field observation, laboratory work, analog and computer modeling, chemical and biological probes and assays to understand Earth's coupled rock, water and biological systems, the underlying processes, and their history of interaction as evidenced in the rock record.

Completion requirements

Select credits in consultation with the advisor.

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  • 0053851
  • 0054031
  • 0054061
  • 7974001
  • 8122311
  • 8122321
Geophysics uses remote sensing probes (seismic waves, potential fields, etc.), laboratory simulation of deep Earth conditions and computer modeling of fluid and continuum mechanical dynamics to investigate the structure, composition, history and dynamics of solid Earth and other planets.

Completion requirements
Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  • 8015941
  • 8007581

Hydrogeology uses direct observation and remote sensing, computer modeling and laboratory simulation to constrain the interaction of water and rock in Earth's shallow subsurface. Freshwater is Earth's most precious and increasingly overexploited resource. Hydrogeology is a key discipline in the effective shepherding of this important reserve. This track establishes a baseline curriculum for hydrogeology at the graduate level. The compact process will identify additional coursework appropriate to the student's prior training and research directions.

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