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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog
Geosciences, PhD
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 Return to: Doctoral Programs
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences
Chairperson: Brian Phillips, Earth and Space Sciences Building 255, (631) 632-6853
Graduate Program Director: Joel Hurowitz, Earth and Space Sciences Building 220, (631) 632-5355
Academic Programs Coordinator: Rene Andersen (631) 632-8554
As the core discipline examining Earth’s natural processes and materials, Geosciences boasts unparalleled diversity. Spurred by urgent scientific and social questions, ranging from environmental concerns to the origin and evolution of the planet itself, the Geosciences are experiencing remarkable growth, with excellent career opportunities. The Geosciences encompass many disciplines including geology, geochemistry, and geophysics, and its interdisciplinary nature fosters natural links not only with chemistry and physics, but also with environmental science, materials science, engineering, biology, and health fields. Developments in technology and new innovative approaches have transformed graduate study in many areas within Geosciences, and students participate in research utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation and facilities.
Graduate students may choose among degree programs with emphasis in different areas in Geosciences. Ph.D. and M.S. thesis-based programs are offered with concentrations in areas including seismology and tectonics, mineral and rock physics, crystal chemistry, geochemistry, petrology, sedimentary geology, planetary geosciences, and hydrogeology (described in more detail below). Also offered is an M.A. in Teaching Earth Science, which leads to provisional certification for teaching earth science in secondary schools of New York State.
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Admission Requirements
Application Website For admission to the Graduate Program in Geosciences, the following, in addition to the Graduate School requirements, are required: - A bachelor’s degree in one of the earth or space sciences or in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or engineering.
- A minimum average of B for all undergraduate coursework and a B average for courses in the sciences.
- Acceptance by both the Department and the Graduate School.
Please note that Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores will not be considered or accepted in application materials. In special cases, a student not meeting requirements A and B may be admitted on a conditional basis. Upon admission, the student will be informed of the requirements that must be satisfied for termination of this status. The Department of Geosciences offers programs leading to the MAT, MS, and PhD degrees in the Geosciences. The Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Earth Science is a non-thesis degree for which all requirements can be completed in three semesters. The MS degree with concentration in Hydrogeology is a non-thesis MS with most courses offered at times appropriate for working professionals. **NOT accepting applications into this program for 2025 - 26 Academic Year** The MS degree with a concentration in Earth and Space Sciences is a nonthesis program for New York State teachers who have initial certification but need a Master’s degree to become fully certified, and to become certified in Earth Science. There are no other residence or language requirements. **NOT accepting applications into this program for 2025 - 26 Academic Year** The MS degree in Geosciences with thesis is typically not a terminal degree. Many students seeking PhD candidacy first earn an MS degree. Students become candidates for the PhD in Geosciences by completing preparatory work leading to successful completion of the PhD preliminary examination. Students are urged to obtain a more detailed description of procedures from the Geosciences Graduate Handbook. Final responsibility for adhering to degree requirements and meeting all deadlines rests solely with the student. Degree Requirements
Advancement to PhD candidacy is gained after the successful completion of the PhD preliminary examination. The examination is the culmination of an evaluative process that begins when the student arrives at Stony Brook. In particular, the faculty seek evidence of scientific creativity, originality, vigor, and flexibility, along with the basic background knowledge, skills, and critical faculties needed to carry out advanced independent research in the student’s chosen field. The minimum residence requirement is two consecutive semesters of graduate study. There is no language requirement. Course Requirements
Course requirements are flexible and are determined in consultation with the student’s academic advisory committee at the beginning of studies.Academic advisory committees are assigned to students at the time of their arrival at Stony Brook, and the composition of the committee maybe changed at the student’s request, with the approval of the graduate program director. During their first two years in the program, studentsgenerally take one to three courses per semester. In addition, they participate in appropriate formal and informal seminars. During their firstFall semester, all students must take GEO 500 - Geosciences Research Seminar . In addition, all students must register for GEO 696 - Geoscience Colloquium , and GEO 697 - Geoscience Seminar each semester, and GEO 600 - Practicum in Teaching , at least once. Among the courses offeredare: Research Projects
Each student carries out individual research projects, commonly with two or more faculty members, as part of the requirements leading up to the Ph.D. qualifying exam. The requirements for each of these projects are determined by the individual professors with whom the research is carried out. When working on such a project, students register for either GEO 590 or GEO 599 Research, after consultation with the appropriate professor. A student who has completed an M.S. thesis before arriving at Stony Brook will generally complete only one research project before the preliminary exam. Ph.D. Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination consists of the preparation and oral defense of a thesis proposal. There are three separate steps in this procedure: (1)submission of a proposal abstract to the graduate committee, who then selects an examining committee, (2) submission of the thesis proposal to the examining committee, and (3) oral defense of the proposal. Thesis Proposal Abstract
A one-page document stating the most essential aspects of the student’s proposed thesis, the thesis proposal abstract must be signed by three faculty members before being given to the graduate committee. One of the three faculty members must be identified as a potential sponsor,meaning that he or she is tentatively willing to be the student’s thesis advisor. This implies no commitment, either on the part of the professor or the student. Upon receipt of the abstract, the graduate committee selects the members of the student’s Ph.D. preliminary examination committee and sets a deadline (usually six weeks) for the submission of the thesis proposal to the examination committee. This committee is to consist of five scientists holding Ph.D. degrees who are experts in fields related to the proposal, at least four of whom must be members of the program. Thesis Proposal
The Ph.D. thesis proposal specifies the scientific rationale for the proposed thesis work, the relevant work done thus far, and the techniques and effort required to reach the research objective. When the thesis proposal is completed, copies are given to each member of the examination committee. Within a week of receiving the proposal, the examination committee will meet to determine whether or not the thesis proposal is defensible. If it is not deemed defensible, the student is informed as to whether a resubmittal will be permitted. If the thesis proposal is deemed acceptable, the examination committee sets a date for the Ph.D. preliminary examination. Oral Preliminary Examination
The student gives a short public presentation of the thesis proposal, after which there is a closed oral examination. Although much of the questioning inevitably focuses on the proposed thesis work, any topic in the geosciences and related fields may be covered in the questioning.At the end of the examination, the student and any others present who are not part of the preliminary examination committee are excused. The committee will then judge whether the student has demonstrated the ability to conceive, plan, and carry out original research. The examination committee has a range of options open to it. It may vote to deny Ph.D. candidacy, either with or without a second opportunity to pass the Ph.D. preliminary examination. It may vote to accept the proposal, but fail the student on other grounds. In doing so, the examination committee may either bar a second opportunity to take the exam, require specific remedial actions, or schedule a second opportunity to take the examination. The committee has the option to vote to reconvene in order to re-evaluate its decision, based upon actions the student has taken in response to the examination committee’s recommendations. The examination committee may also vote to pass the student contingent upon changes in or rewriting of the proposal. It is free to establish any mechanism it deems necessary to affirm whether or not its requirements have been met. All decisions must be agreed to by a majority vote and must be conveyed in writing to the graduate program director and to the student. When the graduate program director has been informed by the chairperson of the examination committee that the student has passed the Ph.D.preliminary examination, the department recommends to the Graduate School that the student be advanced to Ph.D. candidacy. Teaching Requirement
All graduate students must register for GEO 600 - Practicum in Teaching , at least once, as outlined in Course Requirements on the preceding page. Dissertation
The Ph.D. dissertation is the document summarizing the original scientific research in recognition of which the Ph.D. candidate seeks the doctoral degree. The University has very specific rules about the format of the thesis, but the nature of its scientific content is at the discretion of the student, his or her advisor(s), and the Ph.D. thesis defense committee. In many cases, the thesis consists of a linked set of published or soon-to-be published scientific papers. When informed by the student’s advisor that the thesis is ready to be defended, the graduate committee selects a Ph.D. thesis defense committee.The defense committee consists of five or six members, a majority of whom must be members of the department. One defense committee member, other than the thesis advisor, is appointed as committee chairperson by the graduate committee. Within two weeks of receiving the thesis, the defense committee chairperson polls the committee members to ascertain that the thesis is actually defensible. If it is, the defense committee chairperson formally schedules the oral defense. Ph.D. Thesis Oral Defense
The student makes a public presentation of the major results of the thesis. There is then a closed session, during which the student is examinedprimarily, but not exclusively, on the dissertation topic. The committee has the option of voting to accept the thesis, reject it, or accept it withrevisions. If the thesis is accepted with required revisions, the committee will decide the mechanism for determining compliance with itsrequirements. Voting is by majority. |
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