Advancement to Candidacy
Course Requirements
Thesis Ph.D. Track
In their first year, all thesis-track graduate students register for:
| EART203 | Introductory Teaching Seminar | 1 |
| EART204 | Earth and Planetary Sciences Foundations | 5 |
| EART206 | Great Papers in the Earth Sciences | 5 |
And, in consultation with the graduate advising committee, choose at least one subject course focusing on specific Earth and planetary sciences content and one course focusing on quantitative analysis (from a list in the EPS Graduate Handbook).
In subsequent years, all students participate in:
Other course requirements are tailored to the individual student’s academic background, professional experience, and plans for research. No specific number of course credits is required for the Ph.D., but ordinarily students put more of their effort into coursework during the first year of graduate study.
Foreign Language Requirements
There is no foreign-language requirement other than demonstrated proficiency in English. Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.
Teaching Requirement
It is recommended that all thesis-track graduate students attain some teaching experience while at UC Santa Cruz.
Pre-Qualifying Requirements
Prospective students are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test and have the scores sent electronically to the UC Santa Cruz Division of Graduate Studies.
Qualifying Examination
To qualify for candidacy in the Ph.D. program, each student must pass an oral examination in his or her area of specialization by the end of their third year of graduate study (second year if entering with a master's degree), although students are strongly encouraged to take the examination earlier. The examination is based on a research proposal presenting one or more specific questions to be researched by the student in the course of completing their Ph.D. thesis. Students are expected to have in-depth knowledge of fields relevant to the proposal, including familiarity with the professional literature.
Dissertation
Dissertation
The Ph.D. dissertation is a scholarly contribution to knowledge that embodies the results of original and creative effort by the student. Students are urged to prepare their dissertations for publication in peer-reviewed professional journals.
Dissertation Defense
A public oral defense of the thesis is required prior to completion of the Ph.D.
Academic Progress
Before the start of fall quarter, each first-year thesis track student must meet with their faculty adviser to determine a customized course list designed to improve breadth and enable research goals. Immediately afterwards, a meeting is scheduled with the graduate program director to finalize and approve this initial discussion with a written study plan. Yearly academic review meetings will then reassess the student's progress in completing these courses and independent research, initially with the primary adviser but eventually with a reading committee.