Earth and Planetary Sciences

Subject abbreviation: GEO College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Gordon D. Love, Ph.D., Chair Department Office: 1456 Geology Building

• (951) 827-3181; epsci.ucr.edu

John Herring, Graduate Student Services Advisor Office: Batchelor Hall, 1140A

• (951) 827-2441

CNAS Undergraduate Academic Advising Center, 1223 Pierce Hall cnasstudent.ucr.edu

Professors

Robert J. Allen, Ph.D. Mary L. Droser, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Gareth J. Funning, Ph.D. Nigel C. Hughes, Ph.D. Stephen R. Kane, Ph.D. Gordon D. Love, Ph.D. Timothy W. Lyons, Ph.D.,

Distinguished Professor Richard A. Minnich, Ph.D. David D. Oglesby, Ph.D. Andrew Ridgwell, Ph.D. Peter M. Sadler, Ph.D.

Professors Emeriti

Lewis H. Cohen, Ph.D. James H. Dieterich, Ph.D. Wilfred A. Elders, Ph.D. Tien-Chang Lee, Ph.D. Michael A. McKibben, Ph.D. Michael A. Murphy, Ph.D. Stephen K. Park, Ph.D. Michael O. Woodburne, Ph.D.

Associate Professors

Nicolas Barth, Ph.D Andrey Bekker, Ph.D. Maryjo N. Brounce, Ph.D. Abhijit Ghosh, Ph.D. Sandra Kirtland Turner, Ph.D. Wei Liu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

Roby Douilly, Ph.D. Heather Ford, Ph.D. Edward W. Schwieterman Ph.D.

** Adjunct Professor

Larissa F. Dobrzhinetskaya, Ph.D.

Adjunct Assistant Professors

Elizabeth Cochran, Ph.D. Katherine J. Kendrick, Ph.D. Thomas A. Scott, Ph.D.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences offers B.S. degrees in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geology and Geophysics. These degree programs are designed for students with a strong interest in acquiring academic understanding and relevant vocational training in the Earth and Planetary Sciences, and for students interested in secondary teaching with a science emphasis. The B.S. programs include fieldwork with field courses, and field trips in all appropriate courses.

Undergraduate advising in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is designed to allow close professional contact with faculty and staff. Counseling on graduation, departmental requirements and enrollment is handled by the major’s professional academic advisors housed in the CNAS Undergraduate Academic Advising Center and the faculty undergraduate advisor for each major.

Faculty undergraduate advisors counsel students on career goals and research opportunities. The department recommends that students meet with their faculty advisor at least once each quarter to clarify career objectives and revise the program of study so it is commensurate with the developing interests and objectives of the student.

Teachers in the public schools in California must have a credential approved by the State Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The credential requires an undergraduate major, baccalaureate degree, and completion of a graduate credential program such as that offered by the School of Education at UCR.

Before admission and student teaching in a graduate credential program, the candidate must pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) and demonstrate subject-matter proficiency by passing an examination. All candidates for a multiple subject credential to teach in the elementary grades must pass the Multiple Subjects, California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET). Students are urged to start early, preferably as freshmen, selecting courses most helpful for this career. Details and counseling on the Prepare to Teach Program, a program for the multiple subject credential, are available in the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs, 2417 Humanities and Social Sciences, (951) 827-2743. Details and counseling on other programs are available in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences or the School of Education.

UCR does not yet have a state-approved subject matter undergraduate program for earth and planetary sciences majors who wish to teach at the secondary level. The Teaching Credential in Science, geoscience authorization, is required for teachers who want to teach earth science/geoscience in middle school and high school. Students who plan to get this credential must take the CSET exams in Geosciences and should make certain their academic program includes preparatory course work. The examination includes geoscience in depth and general science with introductory, college-level biology, chemistry, physics, and geoscience (geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy). CSET test guides are available at cset.nesinc.com.

Further information about courses, requirements, and examinations can be obtained in orientation meetings, the CalTeach-SMI Office (1104 Pierce Hall) and the School of Education (1124 Sproul Hall). Earth and Planetary Sciences students interested in a secondary school science teaching career, who intend to obtain a Teaching Credential in Science, geoscience authorization, should pursue both the B.S. in Earth and Planetary Sciences or in Geology as well as the teaching credential from the School of Education. Students who want to have the option to become either a professional geoscientist or to teach earth science in secondary school should pursue the B.S. in Geology as well as the teaching credential from the School of Education.

Students in CNAS who intend to pursue a Teaching Credential in Science, with authorization in another science, should consider pursuing a minor within Earth and Planetary Sciences.

Students who choose Earth and Planetary Sciences Major study the past, present, and future of our Earth through the interdisciplinary study of its various systems. Earth and Planetary Sciences majors choose between concentrations in Geosystems, Climate Change, Geobiology, Geophysics, and Planetary Sciences, which are explored from a combination of lab-based, field- based, and computational perspectives.

Students who choose the Geology major study the structure, composition, processes, and history of the Earth. In particular, the Geology major stresses features of the Earth’s surface and interactions between its atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, rocky crust, and interior. Through an emphasis on developing important skills, one of the goals of this program is to prepare students for Geology careers in the public, private, and academic sectors.

Students who choose the Geophysics major apply the principles and concepts of physics, mathematics, geology, and engineering to the study of the physical characteristics of the earth and other planets. They make measurements of gravity and magnetic fields, seismic waves, temperatures, and natural electric current. Geophysicists study these topics from the standpoint of the physics of solid bodies, gases, and fluids. Some geophysicists are field oriented, some laboratory oriented, some theoretical, and some combine these areas.

Change of Major and Continuation Criteria Students wishing to change into or continue in the Earth and Planetary Sciences major must be in good academic standing and show potential to graduate without exceeding 216 units.

Freshmen (2nd and 3rd quarter) must demonstrate progress in basic sciences and aptitude for Earth and Planetary Sciences by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• MATH 007B or MATH 009B eligible (e.g.

completion of MATH 007A or MATH 009A with grades of C- or better)

• CHEM 01B eligible (e.g. completion of CHEM

01A with a grade of C- or better • One of GEO 001, GEO 002 or GEO 009

or

GEO 011, or GEO 003 completed with a

grade of C- or better

Sophomores (up to 89.9 cumulative units) must demonstrate sustained progress in basic sciences and aptitude for geology by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• CHEM 001B completed with passing grades

• MATH 009C or MATH 046 eligible (e.g. MATH 007B or MATH 009B with grade of C- or better)

• Two of GEO 001, GEO 002 or GEO 009

or

• GEO 011, or GEO 003 completed with no

grade below C- after repeats

Juniors (90 – 134.9 units) must demonstrate near completion of basic sciences and aptitude for upper-division Earth and Planetary Sciences by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• CHEM 001B and MATH 009C or MATH 046

completed with passing grades

• PHYS 040B or PHYS 002B and PHYS 002LB

eligible (i.e. completion of one quarter of college physics with C- or better)

• GEO 001, GEO 002 or GEO 009 or GEO 011,

GEO 003, GEO 111, and GEO 115 or GEO 157 (and all prerequisites) completed with no grade below C- after repeats

Seniors (135+ units): must have completed all but 1 course of the Earth and Planetary Sciences core requirements by Spring Quarter or Summer Session, as follows:

• CHEM 001B, MATH 009C or MATH 046,

PHYS 040B or PHYS 002B and PHYS 02LB completed with passing grades.

• BIOL 002 or BIOL 005A and BIOL 05LA or

BIOL 020, completed with passing grades.

• GEO 001, GEO 002 or GEO 009 or GEO 011,

GEO 003, GEO 004 or GEO 007 or GEO 008 or GEO 010 or GEO 012, GEO 111, GEO 115, and GEO 157 (and all prerequisites) completed with no grade below C- after repeats.

Students wishing to change into or continue in the Geology major must be in good academic standing and show potential to graduate without exceeding 216 units.

Freshmen (2nd and 3rd quarter) must demonstrate progress in basic sciences and aptitude for geology by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• MATH 009B eligible (e.g. completion of

MATH 007A or MATH 009A with grades of C- or better)

• CHEM 001B eligible (e.g. completion of

CHEM 01A with a grade of C- or better

• One of GEO 001, GEO 002, or GEO 003 com

pleted with a grade of C- or better Sophomores (up to 89.9 cumulative units) must demonstrate sustained progress in basic sciences and aptitude for geology by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• CHEM 001B completed with passing grades

• MATH 009C or MATH 046 eligible (e.g. MATH 007B or MATH 009B with grade of C- or better)

• Two of GEO 001, GEO 002, or GEO 003

completed with no grade below C- after repeats

Juniors (90 – 134.9 units) must demonstrate near completion of basic sciences and aptitude for upper-division geology by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• CHEM 001B and MATH 009C or MATH 046

completed with passing grades

• PHYS 040B or PHYS 002B and PHYS 002LB

eligible (i.e. completion of one quarter of college physics with C- or better)

• GEO 002, GEO 003, GEO 111, GEO 115 or GEO 122 (and all prerequisites) completed with no grade below C- after repeats

Seniors (135+ units): must have completed all but 1 course of the geology core requirements by Spring Quarter or Summer Session, as follows:

• CHEM 001B, MATH 009C or MATH 046 and

PHYS 040B or PHYS 002B and PHYS 02LB completed with passing grades.

• BIOL 002 or BIOL 005A and BIOL 05LA or

BIOL 020, completed with passing grades.

• GEO 001, GEO 002, GEO 003, GEO 111,

GEO 115, GEO 116 and GEO 122 and GEO 101 or GEO 118 (and all prerequisites) completed with no grade below C- after repeats.

Transfer Selection Criteria Applicants to majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences are selected on the basis of academic preparation, as assessed by their GPA and the strength of preparation for the intended major. A GPA of at least 2.70 is required. (This is a baseline GPA for consideration and not a guarantee of admission.)

In addition, applicants will need to complete college courses comparable to at least two of the following UCR year-long sequences in order to meet selection criteria for this major. Courses must be completed with “C” grades or better:

MATH 007A or MATH 009A, MATH 007B or MATH 009B, and MATH 009C or MATH 046 (mandatory)

And at least one sequence from:

• 1. BIOL 005A, BIOL 05LA or BIOL 020 and

BIOL 005B (and BIOL 005C, if articulated)

• 2. CHEM 001A, CHEM 01LA, CHEM 001B, CHEM 01LB

• 3. PHYS 040A and PHYS 040B or PHYS 002A

and PHYS 002B

• 4. MATH 010A, MATH 010B, and MATH 046

Courses must be completed with a letter grade, with no grade lower than a “C.” Students should visit assist.org for updated and comprehensive major preparation requirements. Any applicant not meeting the above math course requirements may still be considered for possible admission by exception.

See Undergraduate Studies section.

See College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Colleges and Programs section.

Some of the following requirements for the major may also fulfill some of the college’s breadth requirements. Consult with a department advisor for course planning.

Major Requirements

All courses in Geosciences that are prerequisites for other courses in the major must be passed with a grade of “C-” or better before proceeding in the sequence. For example, GEO 001 is a prerequisite for GEO 122.

The department offers five concentrations to majors in Earth and Planetary Sciences: Geosystems, Climate Change, Geobiology, Geophysics, and Planetary Sciences. All students majoring in Earth and Planetary Sciences are normally required to take the core curriculum.

Geosystems, Climate Change, Geobiology, Geophysics, and Planetary Sciences Concentrations Core Requirements (61-66 units)

• 1. Lower division core requirements

(48-53 units)

• a) GEO 001

• b) GEO 002 or GEO 009 or GEO 011

• c) GEO 003/BIOL 010

• d) GEO 004 or GEO 007 or GEO 008 or GEO 010 or GEO 012 or GEO 013 or GEO 080

• e) BIOL 005A and BIOL 005LA or BIOL 020

• f) Either CHEM 001A and CHEM 01LA or

CHEM 01HA and CHEM 1HLA, either CHEM 001B and CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HB and CHEM 01HLB

• g) MATH 007A or MATH 009A, MATH 007B

or MATH 009B, MATH 046

• h) Either PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B or PHYS 002A and PHYS 002LA, PHYS 002B and

PHYS 002LB Students interested in elective classes in Geophysics are recommended to take PHYS 040C or PHYS 002C. Students interested in elective classes in Geochemistry are recommended to take CHEM 001C.

• 2. Upper division core requirements

(13 units)

• a) GEO 111, GEO 115, GEO 157

Geosystems Concentration

• 1. Upper division requirements (35–38 units)

• a) GEO 101A, GEO 101B, GEO 118

• b) Three of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 122,

GEO 132, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 162

• c) Three of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 122,

GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 138, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 163, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182, GEO 184, STAT 155

Students interested in pursuing professional licensure through the California Geologist In Training (GIT) are advised to take the Geology Major.

Climate Change Concentration

• 1. Lower division requirements (5 units)

• a) CHEM 001C and CHEM 001LC, or CHEM 001HC and CHEM 001HLC

• 2. Upper division requirements

(32–36 units)

• a) GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 163

• b) Three of GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 162,

ENSC 102

• c) Three of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118,

GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 162, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182, GEO 184, STAT 155

or

GEO 101A and GEO 101B, and two of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 162, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182, GEO 184, STAT 155

Geobiology Concentration

• 1. Lower division requirements (8 units)

• a) BIOL 005B, BIOL 005C

• 2. Upper division requirements

(32–37 units)

• a) GEO 151 and GEO 152/BIOL 152

• b) Three of GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 161, GEO 169, ENTM/BPSC/BIOL 112,

BIOL 151

• c) Three of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140,

GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 163, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182, STAT 155

or

GEO 101A and GEO 101B, and two of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 163, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182, STAT 155

Geophysics Concentration

• 1. Lower division requirements (5 units)

• a) PHYS 002C and PHYS 002LC,

or PHYS 040C

• 2. Upper division requirements

(34-38 units)

• a) GEO 140, GEO 145

• b) Three of GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 144, GEO 147
• c) Three of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118,

GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 144, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 163, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 184, STAT 155

or

GEO 101A and GEO 101B, and two of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 144, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 163, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 184, STAT 155

Planetary Sciences Concentration

• 1. Lower division requirements (5 units)

• a) PHYS 002C and PHYS 002LC,

or PHYS 040C

• 2. Upper division requirements

(32-35 units)

• a) Four of GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182,

GEO 184, PHYS 111

• b) Four of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 122,

GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 138, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 163, GEO 169

All courses in Geosciences that are prerequisites for other courses in the major must be passed with a grade of “C-” or better before proceeding in the sequence. For example, GEO 001 is a prerequisite for GEO 122.

All students majoring in Geology are normally required to take the core curriculum.

• 1. Lower-division requirements (43-44 units)

• a) GEO 001, GEO 002 or GEO 009 or GEO 011, GEO 003/BIOL 010

• b) BIOL 002 or BIOL 005A, BIOL 05LA (or

BIOL 020)

• c) Either CHEM 001A and CHEM 01LA or

CHEM 01HA and CHEM 1HLA, either CHEM 001B and CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HB and CHEM 01HLB

• d) MATH 007A or MATH 009A or MATH 009HA, MATH 007B or MATH 009B or

MATH 009HB, MATH 046

• e) PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B or PHYS 002A

and PHYS 02LA, PHYS 002B and PHYS 02LB

Students interested in elective classes in Geophysics are recommended to take PHYS 040C (if they have previously taken PHYS 040A and PHYS 040B), or PHYS 002C and 02LC (if they have previously taken PHYS 002A and PHYS 02LA and PHYS 002B and 02LB). Students interested in elective classes in Geochemistry are recommended to take CHEM 001C and CHEM 01LC.

• 2. Upper-division requirements (52-54 units)

• a) GEO 100, GEO 101A, GEO 101B, GEO 102A,

GEO 102B, GEO 111, GEO 115, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122

• b) Two of GEO 123, GEO 124, GEO 132, GEO 136,

GEO 137, GEO 140 GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147 GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 157, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 163, GEO 169, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182, GEO 184, STAT 155 Students interested in pursuing professional licensure through the California Geologist In Training (GIT) examination should consider taking GEO 132 and GEO 162 as their elective classes

The following are major requirements for the B.S. in Geophysics. All students majoring in Geophysics are normally required to take this core curriculum.

• 1. Lower-division requirements (52-66 units)

• a) GEO 001 and one of GEO 004 or

GEO 008

• b) MATH 007A or MATH 009A or MATH 009HA, MATH 007B or MATH 009B or

MATH 009HB, MATH 009C, MATH 010A, MATH 031, MATH 046

• c) PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B, PHYS 040C

(strongly recommended), or PHYS 002A, PHYS 02LA, PHYS 002B, PHYS 02LB, PHYS 002C, PHYS 02LC

• d) CS 009M or CS 009P or CS 010A

CHEM 001A, CHEM 001LA, CHEM 001B, CHEM 001LB, MATH 010B are recommended as prerequisites for upper division electives in geology and geophysics, and for students looking to earn a teaching credential for high school science.

• 2. Upper-division requirements (46-52 units)

• a) GEO 111, GEO 115, GEO 116, GEO 140, GEO 145

• b) One of GEO 144 or GEO 147

• c) Five of GEO 100, GEO 101A, GEO 101B,

GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 144 or GEO 147, GEO 157, PHYS 130A, PHYS 130B, PHYS 132 or PHYS 134, PHYS 135A, PHYS 135B, PHYS 136, PHYS 139L, PHYS 177, MATH 120, MATH 131, MATH 132, MATH 135A, MATH 135B, MATH 146A, MATH 146B, MATH 146C, MATH 147, MATH 149A or STAT 160A, MATH 149B or STAT 160B, or STAT 160C, MATH 168, GEO 163, GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 184, STAT 155

Students wishing to continue on to graduate school may wish to earn a Minor in Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Computer Science, requiring an additional 24 upper division units of study, and/or completion of a Senior Thesis, which includes up to 9 units of independent research.

Students who wish to Minor in Geology, Geophysics, Global Climate Change or Planetary Sciences must complete 20-28 units of organized upper-division courses in Geosciences. A minimum of 16 of these units must be unique to the minor and cannot be used to satisfy major requirements. To satisfy prerequisites, additional preparatory coursework in Earth and Planetary Sciences and other sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) may be required.

Minor in Geology: GEO 001, GEO 115; plus 15-23 additional upper-division Geosciences units.

Minor in Geophysics: GEO 001; GEO 140; plus 16-24 additional units taken from GEO 115, GEO 116, GEO 132, GEO 144, GEO 145, and GEO 190. Minor in Global Climate Change: GEO 001 or GEO 002; GEO 011; GEO 160; plus 16-24 additional upper-division Geosciences units.

Minor in Planetary Sciences: GEO 001 or GEO 002 or GEO 006 or GEO 009 or GEO 011; GEO 013 or GEO 080; GEO 180, GEO 181, GEO 182, and GEO 184; plus 4-5 units in any upper-division Geosciences course.

Before submitting a petition for a Minor to the college, students interested in pursuing a Minor in Geology or Geophysics or Global Climate Change or Planetary Sciences must consult with the undergraduate faculty advisor in Earth and Planetary Sciences.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences offers the M.S. and Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences.

Graduate education in the Earth and Planetary Sciences emphasizes all aspects of geology, geophysics and biogeochemistry as applied to understanding the Earth and other planetary bodies. Areas of research include the origin and evolution of life through geological time; astrobiology and the detection and modeling of exoplanets and their atmospheres; the theory, mechanisms and impacts of earthquakes and faulting; observing and modeling current and past climate change; modeling past and future global carbon and other biogeochemical cycles; and geophysical, geochemical and petrological studies of the structure and internal processes of planetary interiors. Integrated field, laboratory and numerical studies are encouraged.

Admission An undergraduate degree in geology, geochemistry, geophysics or earth/planetary science is the normal preparation for graduate work; however, a degree from a related field of science or engineering or even select non-science disciplines may be appropriate. Applicants to graduate status must supply any standardized test scores required by the Graduate Division before admission.

In addition to the general requirements listed under the Graduate Studies section of this catalog, the requirements for the M.S. degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences, under the Plan 1 (Thesis), are as follows.

Admission Students must make up any deficiency in undergraduate preparation required for their area of study. The background required is determined by the graduate advisor in consultation with their faculty advisor. Courses taken to remedy background deficiencies are not applicable to the graduate degree. Such courses are typically designated in the letter of admission to the program sent by the dean of the Graduate Division to the student.

Biannual Reviews All students must undergo biannual reviews by the departmental Graduate Progress Committee. A student’s progress is assessed in these reviews, and the committee may recommend changes in a student’s plans after these reviews. Course Work All students must enroll each quarter in the Graduate Seminar in Geosciences (GEO 250). Students must attend the weekly Hewett Club lecture series.

Students must complete a minimum of 36 units of course work in the major and related subjects and obtain advance approval of a coherent plan of study from the graduate advisor.

A maximum of 12 upper-division units beyond the requirements for the bachelor’s degree may be applied to the 36-unit requirement.

Students must complete a minimum of 12 units of graduate courses, which must include at least four graduate-level instructional courses taught by four different faculty members as approved by the graduate advisor.

All graduate students must complete professional development training by the end of their 9th quarter. This is fulfilled by taking GEO 201 A and GEO 201B before taking their Ph.D. Oral Exam.

Subject to the approval of the graduate advisor, a limited number of upper-division courses in the major and related sciences, if not required for the bachelor’s degree and not taken previously, may be accepted for graduate credit.

Thesis and Final Oral Examination Before the end of the third quarter of study and before embarking on research, the student must submit a written thesis proposal to the graduate progress committee. After approval of the proposal, the student must submit a thesis based on original work for approval by a thesis committee. A maximum of 12 units of thesis research may be counted toward the 36-unit minimum.

Students present an open research seminar as a final oral examination, which is advertised to all the students and faculty in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department.

Normative Time to Degree 7 quarters

Global Climate and Environmental Change (GCEC) The GCEC MS track is a field and laboratory based multidisciplinary program focused on the evidence for and controls of past and present climate change. Candidates must complete the following:

Course Work Students must complete a minimum of 36 quarter units of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses, and research credit from 1 and 2 (below). Other upper-division undergraduate and graduate classes outside may be substituted with consent of the Graduate Advisor. 24 of 36 credits must be graduate level.

• 1) Required Core courses: GEO 224 upon

entry into the program, GEO 260 and BIOL 212/ENTM 212/GEO 212.

• 2) At least two additional disciplinary cours

es: GEO 221, GEO 239, GEO 249, GEO 251, GEO 255, GEO 264, GEO 265, GEO 268, GEO 301, OR ENSC 200, ENSC 218, ENSC 224, ENSC 225, ENSC 232. Thesis Work Before the end of the third quarter students must nominate a faculty advisor and identify a thesis topic. Before embarking on research the student must submit a thesis proposal based on original work for approval by a thesis committee. A maximum of 8 units of research credit can be counted toward the 36 unit minimum. Students present an open research seminar as a final oral examination.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences offers the Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences. In addition to the general University requirements of the Graduate Division as found in the Graduate Studies section of this catalog, the Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences normally requires the following.

Biannual Reviews All students meet with the Graduate Progress Committee during their first week at UCR to discuss general interests, goals, and plans. The committee recommends courses designed to prepare a student for research and to correct deficiencies in background. This committee also reviews a student’s progress biannually and may recommend transfer to the master’s program if normal progress is not maintained.

Course Work Students must complete at least four graduate-level instructional courses taught by four different faculty members as approved by the graduate advisor. Up to four 100 level classes can count subject to Graduate Advisor approval. Course work used in satisfaction of the M.S. degree may be accepted with the graduate advisor’s approval. All students must enroll each quarter in the Graduate Seminar in Geosciences (GEO 250). Students are also required to attend the weekly Hewett Club lecture series.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations The written exam will consist of a written research proposal or proposals as detailed in the Graduate Handbook. The proposal topics must be approved by an examination committee to ensure breadth. The committee reviews the proposals and, if acceptable, recommends proceeding to the oral qualifying examination. An oral examination committee appointed by the dean of the Graduate Division examines the adequacy of the student’s preparation to conduct the proposed research. Advancement to candidacy in the Ph.D. program follows successful completion of the oral examination.

All Ph.D. candidates must satisfy the course requirements and have passed their written and oral qualifying exams within two years of entering the program, otherwise they will not be eligible to continue in the Ph.D. track. Exceptions can only be granted by the Graduate Advisor or by the Chair.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination A dissertation normally evolves from one of the research proposals. The dissertation must present original scholarly work and be approved by a dissertation committee before the student may take the final oral examination. Students must have satisfactory performance on the final oral examination given by the dissertation committee. Major emphasis in this examination is on the dissertation and related topics. Normative Time to Degree from the B.S. 17 quarters