Introduction
The graduate program in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department is designed to prepare students for research, industry, consulting, teaching, and numerous other career paths, including business and law. The aim is to develop habits of critical analysis and thorough documentation; skills in quantitative field, computational, and/or laboratory research; and proficiency in one or more fields of research. The fundamental requirements for admission to the program are substantial evidence of superior scholarship, dedication and determination to do quality work, and aptitude for original research. Preparation in the basic sciences equivalent to the requirements for the Earth sciences bachelor's degree at UC Santa Cruz is expected and, for non-undergraduate Earth sciences majors, achieving breadth of knowledge across the Earth and planetary sciences is expected. Excellent scholars from other disciplines, including chemistry, physics, engineering, biology, environmental sciences, or astronomy are both eligible and encouraged to apply. Gaps in knowledge can be made up through coursework.
UC Santa Cruz awards both the Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The M.S. degree may be the terminal degree for someone seeking careers in industry, government, or teaching at the secondary level. It may also be an initial step toward the Ph.D. degree, in which the student gains knowledge and confidence in carrying out and completing a more complex scientific project. Details regarding admission to graduate standing, financial aid, examinations, and the requirements for the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are available from the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department graduate studies webpage. Additional details can be found at the UC Santa Cruz Division of Graduate Studies.
Advancement to Candidacy
Course Requirements
In their first year, all Ph.D. students register for:
| EART 203 | Introductory Teaching Seminar | 1 |
| EART 204 | Earth and Planetary Sciences Foundations | 5 |
| EART 206 | 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 analytical course focusing on a quantitative method.
Subject Courses
Analytical Courses
| EART 225 | Statistics and Data Analysis in the Geosciences | 5 |
| EART 229 | Isotopic Methods in Environmental Science | 5 |
| EART 265 | Order of Magnitude Estimation | 5 |
| EART 266 | Geologic Signal Processing and Inverse Theory | 5 |
| AM 100 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers | 5 |
| AM 147 | Computational Methods and Applications | 5 |
| AM 211 | Foundations of Applied Mathematics | 5 |
| AM 215 | Stochastic Modeling in Biology | 5 |
| ASTR 260 | Instrumentation for Astronomy | 5 |
| CHEM 122 | Principles of Instrumental Analysis | 5 |
| BIOE 286
/CSP 241
| Experimental Design and Data Analysis | 5 |
| BIOE 286L
/CSP 241L
| Experimental Design and Data Analysis Lab | 2 |
| ENVS 215A
/GIST 215A
| Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Applications | 5 |
| ENVS 215L
/GIST 215L
| Exercises in Geographic Information Systems | 2 |
| MATH 106 | Systems of Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
| MATH 107 | Partial Differential Equations | 5 |
| OCEA 215 | Predicting the Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate | 5 |
| OCEA 260
/EART 260
| Introductory Data Analysis in the Ocean and Earth Sciences | 5 |
| PHYS 116A | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 5 |
| PHYS 116C | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 5 |
| PHYS 116D | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 5 |
| PHYS 160 | Practical Electronics | 5 |
| PHYS 242 | Computational Physics | 5 |
| STAT 132 | Classical and Bayesian Inference | 5 |
| STAT 206 | Applied Bayesian Statistics | 5 |
| STAT 226 | Spatial Statistics | 5 |
Lecture and lab combinations count as a single course. Any mathematical methods course at a level higher than multivariable calculus also counts as an analytical course. mathematics, common applied math, and physics choices are included in the above course list.
In subsequent years, all Ph.D. 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 Experience
It is recommended that all thesis-track graduate students attain some teaching experience while at UC Santa Cruz.
Qualifying Examination
To qualify for candidacy in the Ph.D. program, each student must pass an oral examination in their area of specialization by the end of their third year of graduate study (second year if entering with a master's degree in the same field). The examination is based on a written 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. For additional details, please review the EPS Graduate Handbook.
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.
The dissertation, completed in the format specified by the Graduate Council and approved by the dissertation committee, must be submitted to the Graduate Division no later than the last day of the term in which the degree is to be awarded. As stated in the Graduate Division’s Graduate Handbook, a Ph.D. student must complete their degree within three calendar years from Advancing to Candidacy, in order to remain in good academic standing. All full-time Ph.D. students are expected to complete their degree objectives within six calendar years from the date of first enrollment in the program.
Dissertation Defense
A public oral defense of the dissertation is required prior to completion of the Ph.D. degree.
Academic Progress
Prior to the first quarter of study, each first-year Ph.D. student must meet with their faculty advisor to determine a customized study plan designed to improve breadth and enable research goals. Immediately afterwards, a meeting is scheduled with the faculty graduate representative to finalize and approve this initial discussion with a written course plan. Yearly academic review meetings will then reassess the student's progress in completing these courses and independent research, initially with the primary advisor but eventually with a reading committee.