Geosciences Ph.D. students contribute original basic and applied research during the completion of their degrees. The Ph.D. degree opens opportunities for a wide range of Earth science careers, including geology, seismology, economic geology, environmental geosciences, glaciology, paleoclimatology, geochemistry, geophysics, geochronology, geodynamics, geomorphology, hydrogeology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, petroleum geology and petrology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, tectonics, and more. Students work closely with their advisor and graduate committee to identify and pursue their dissertation topic with a curriculum that is specific to their academic needs and goals. Prospective students should contact relevant candidate faculty advisors in the department.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to CSU's Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
- Development of breadth and depth of expertise in geosciences and cognate sciences to levels of an independently creative scientist.
- Practice of the process of widespread dissemination of research results through oral and poster presentations at professional meetings and through the steps and requirements of peer-reviewed publications.
- Mastery of design and completion of research projects in at least one of the subdisciplines of geosciences that involve multiple research methodologies, and of linking results from multiple methodologies into scientific interpretations.
Effective Fall 2018
Ph.D. students must complete 72 semester credits beyond those required for the B.S. degree. They must satisfy a breadth requirement by:
Taking a six-credit upper-division or graduate-level course sequence outside of the student’s discipline. Most students will take their breadth requirement courses outside of their department.
At least 10 credits beyond the master’s degree must be earned in regular courses numbered 500-level or above.
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |