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The Department of the Geophysical Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysical Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
Both of these programs prepare students for careers that draw upon the earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences. The principal distinction between the B.A. and B.S.
programs involves the number of courses required in geophysical sciences and their distribution among subdisciplines.
The B.S. degrees provide a more focused and intensive program of study for students who intend to pursue graduate work in one of these disciplines. The B.A. degree also offers
thorough study in the geophysical sciences, but it provides considerable elective freedom to pursue interdisciplinary interests, such as environmental policy, law, business, and
precollegiate education.
Students should refer to the most recent edition of Courses and Programs of Study published by the College for additional details and requirements of the B.A. and B.S. degrees.
The divisional requirement for the degree of Master of Science is nine courses. In addition the department requires:
- Approval of the departmental counselor and an individualized advisory committee of a program of study and an essay. Normally the program of study shall include the following:
(a) Three or more physical and/or biological science courses of which, at most, three may be of 20000-level, the rest of 30000-level. (b) Three or more 30000-level
courses in the department. (c) At least one, but not more than three, reading/research courses.
- An average grade of B and no grade less than C in courses offered for the degree.
- An essay, thesis, or publication demonstrating either (i) Ability and promise as a research scientist; or (ii) Ability to organize a body of knowledge such as is required of an instructor
at the undergraduate level in a liberal arts college, in conjunction with the research course and a seminar delivered to a general departmental audience.
The master's degree is not required for work toward the Ph.D. in the department. For those students whose objective is the Ph.D., the requirements for the M.S. degree may
be completed concurrently with the pre-candidacy phase of the Ph.D. program. The minimum time for completion is three quarters, but with allowance for research and
writing this normally extends through four to seven quarters.
Convocation
The student must submit an Application for a Degree in the quarter in which he/she expects to graduate. The deadline for the application is the first day of the quarter.
Additionally, the student's advisor must submit a signed M.S. form stating that all requirements have been met prior to the final Convocation deadline of the quarter in which t
he student will receive the degree.
The Ph.D. program has two phases: pre-candidacy and candidacy. The pre-candidacy phase is a formal program of study, including course work, designed to strengthen and enlarge
the student's grasp of fundamental knowledge, particularly in the areas in which it is intended to concentrate for the dissertation. The candidacy phase consists mainly
of research for the dissertation. At the conclusion of each of these two phases of the program there is a formal examination. The Preliminary Examination at the end of
the pre-candidacy phase consists of a written part designed to test comprehension of basic principles, followed by an oral part aimed at assessing the student's research
promise. The Final Examination at the end of the candidacy phase is oral, and is concerned mainly with the subject of the dissertation.
The Pre-Candidacy Phase
The Initial Year
Each student is assigned an interim advisor who is available during the student's first year of residency to provide academic guidance or discuss any problems that may arise.
If a student desires advice or guidance beyond that provided by the interim advisor, he/she should contact the Graduate Counselor. If necessary, the Graduate
Counselor will convene a group to address the student's concerns.
During the first year of pre-candidacy, the student should explore the facilities of the Department and the research activities of the faculty in order to find the most suitable area
for development of a thesis research program. For those students admitted with Research Assistantships, every effort will be made to match their stated interests with the
available research assistantships, but this in no way commits a student to research in a given area, or to academic sponsorship by any specific faculty member.
Advisory Committee
At any time during the first year of pre-candidacy, but no later than the end of the third quarter, the student should obtain the consent of a member of the Department faculty to
serve as a permanent Advisor. Together, they will form a permanent Advisory Committee consisting of the advisor as chairman and four or more other faculty members
whose areas of interest are related to those of the student. The function of the Advisory Committee is to determine the make-up of the remainder of the pre-candidacy
program and to convene the examining board for the preliminary examination.
Students are expected to take the initiative to secure a permanent advisor. If no permanent advisor is identified by the end of the third quarter of residency, the student should
communicate this to the Graduate Counselor and his/her interim advisor. Upon notification by the Graduate Counselor or the interim advisor, the Student Affairs and Admissions
Committee will convene to consider the case and resolve any problems.
Annual Progress Reports
Every student is required to meet with his/her Advisory Committee at least once every academic year. If the student has already met with his/her Committee prior to the distribution of the
Annual Progress Reports, the student does not need to convene a separate meeting.
All students must submit an Annual Progress Report to the University on a form distributed to them through the Division and Department. These reports will generally be due in the
spring of each year and are kept on file by the Office of the University Registrar. Failure to complete the progress report may result in loss of student financial support and
loan eligibility. The Annual Progress Report also is used by the Department in evaluation of graduate students who have not yet successfully passed the general knowledge
examination and defended their dissertation proposal.
In addition, all students must submit a Department Annual Progress Report, filled out by the student and signed by his/her committee. This report must be turned into the Graduate
Student Services Office for the student to remain in good standing and thus be able to register for subsequent quarters. This form is due at the same time as the University's
Annual Progress Report.
Residence Requirements
A student must be in residence at the University during the pre-candidacy program, except for interruptions (such as the Summer Quarter) approved by the advisory committee.
In each quarter of residence the student must register for the full program of three courses per quarter until the 9-quarter residence requirement is fulfilled. After that,
registration for one course is considered full registration. Registration materials are available from the Graduate Student Services Coordinator on the days of registration.
Registration dates are noted on the inside cover of the University Directory and are posted in the Department before registration. Part-time arrangements require special
approval by the advisory committee.
Foreign Languages
During the quarter in which the student identifies a permanent advisor and advisory committee, the committee and student will consider whether the student's research interests
are such that a foreign language requirement is necessary, what the requirement should be, and how and when it should be satisfied. The decision must be reached by the
whole committee. This information should be recorded in the student's file.
Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination consists of two parts: a written part and an oral part. Both parts are administered by an examining board of at least five members, including the advisory
committee and other members of the University faculty invited by the committee in consultation with the student. Persons from other institutions may be invited to join the
examining board. The advisor serves as chairman.
- Written preliminary examination
Purpose: to evaluate general intellectual ability and background in broad areas of science that include the student's research interests.
Preparation: The subject matter of the written examination corresponds in level with that of 300-series. The advisory committee will give the student a general idea
of the areas to be covered in the written exam, and may provide a reading list for this purpose. Topics from Departmental seminars and colloquia may be used as a
basis of examination questions.
Procedure: The examination may be open or closed book, in whole or in part, as determined by the examining board. Depending on the student's area of specialization,
the exam may be confined to 5-6 hours on one day or span five days, with a question each day.
- Oral preliminary examination
Purpose: to evaluate the student's promise as a creative research scientist.
Research prospectus: With advice of the advisory committee, the student selects a topic in which to prepare a research prospectus for the oral part of the preliminary
examinations. This selection should be made at least three months before the oral preliminary examination and the examining board must have ample time to read the
prospectus (at least two weeks) prior to the oral examination.
The research prospectus is a proposal of a research topic, and should be a carefully prepared document in which the current status of the proposed field of
investigation is surveyed and the important literature cited. In it, the student should discuss the relationship between the proposed research and the broader aspects
of geophysical sciences. The research prospectus may or may not be the eventual subject of thesis research. It need not contain the results of original research by the
student. It should explain in detail a feasible way to solve an important problem. Students are often encouraged to write their prospectus as if it were a proposal for a
federal research grant.
Content and form: The oral examination normally tests general knowledge as it pertains to the student's research prospectus, such as the principles and techniques
on which the proposed research is based and the relation between the proposed research and other areas of study. Principal emphasis, however, is to evaluate,
through questioning based on the prospectus, those many attributes—such as originality, capacity for critical and independent thought, awareness of the significant
problems in the field—which are important to success in research. Questions concerning deficiencies in the written examination may be asked.
The written part of the preliminary examination is normally offered twice each academic year, in the firth week of the Autumn and Spring Quarters. A student wishing to take the
examination should notify the Graduate Counselor by the end of the second week of the quarter in which the examination is to be taken. The normal deadline for the
examination is in the Spring Quarter of the second year, but students are urged to take the examination as soon as they feel ready. Under special circumstances, with
permission of the advisory committee, the deadline may be extended to the seventh quarter of residence, excluding summers.
The oral part of the exam is scheduled by agreement between the student and his/her Examining Board. In some areas of the department the oral part of the examination is given
within three weeks of the written exam. In other research areas it is customary for the prospectus preparation to begin only after the written part of the Preliminary Examination
is completed. If the advisory committee considers this to be appropriate, the written part of the examination will be used as a basis for deciding whether the student should be
permitted to continue. If the outcome is favorable, the oral part of the examination must be taken no later than the Autumn Quarter of the third year.
In the event of a failure on the exam as a whole, or on either part of the exam, the student may continue only by consent of his/her committee, or may petition the Department
Chairman to form a new committee. The advisory committee can allow a student who has failed the written part of the exam to proceed with taking the oral part on
schedule. Two failures on either part, however, bar the student from candidacy. If the student is allowed to retake either part of the exam, this must be done no later
than the Spring Quarter of the third year.
The Candidacy Program
Admission and Dissertation Committee
After passing the preliminary examination and completing satisfactorily all other parts of the pre-candidacy program, the student is eligible for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D.
degree. This step is governed by regulations of the Division of the Physical Sciences, administered by the Divisional Dean of Students. Candidacy application forms are
available from the Department Graduate Student Services Office.
The regulations are as follows:
"Application should be submitted by the student to the Chairman of the Department to obtain a recommendation for admission to candidacy and the subsequent
approval of the Dean of Students in the Division at least eight months before the final examination for the degree. Responsibility for fulfilling the requirements for
candidacy and for filing the application at the proper time rests entirely with the student. The approval of the application certifies:
- That the candidate has begun the investigation for a dissertation and that an approved title has been submitted.
- That the candidate is recommended to candidacy for the Doctor's degree. A Department may require the candidate to take an examination to demonstrate his
knowledge in the fields of his major interest to the Department.
- That the candidate has satisfied the foreign language reading requirement of Department [where applicable]."
If a student wishes to carry out a portion of the candidacy program while not in residence at the University, a written petition to this effect must be submitted to the advisory
committee, with evidence that proper facilities and conditions of work will be available.
A Dissertation Committee should be formed from the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. This Dissertation Committee will consist of the student's research advisor
and four or more others. The Dissertation Committee may be the same as the Advisory Committee formed in the pre-candidacy phase. At least 50% of the Dissertation
Committee members must be University of Chicago faculty members; others may be faculty members from other universities or University of Chicago post-doctoral
appointees of Senior Research Associate rank or higher. Every student is required to meet with his/her Dissertation Committee at least once every academic year.
Annual Progress Reports
Annual Report requirements are the same as in the pre-candidacy period.
Residence requirements
The minimum duration of the candidacy program is three quarters, and the total minimum duration beyond the Bachelor's degree is nine quarters of full-time registration. After nine
quarters of full registration, the student must register for a minimum of one course each quarter, including the Summer Quarter if research is carried on at the University
during that quarter. Portions of this residence may be waived up to a maximum of nine courses (three quarters) by equivalent work at other institutions or other units
of the University.
Dissertation
A complete draft copy of the dissertation must be submitted to each member of the advisory committee. Each committee member must have sufficient time to read the draft and
provide comments. After having been brought into a form tentatively acceptable to the committee, revised copies of the dissertation must be submitted to the committee
prior to the examination. If the student passes the final examination, he/she puts the dissertation in a final form approved by the advisory committee and submits two copies,
one to the Dissertation Secretary of the University, and one to the Committee.
University regulations state that the final copy for the Dissertation Secretary must be submitted no later than three weeks before convocation. See the inside cover of the quarterly
Time Schedules for exact deadlines dates. Failure to meet this deadline will result in removal from the Convocation list for the Quarter. Therefore, it is extremely important
that the Final Exam is scheduled so as to leave time to meet the Dissertation deadline.
Final examination
The final examination is administered by an examining board either identical to the board convened for the preliminary examination, or constituted in the same manner as that board.
It consists of at least five persons. All members of the Department faculty are invited to the final examination. Other persons from outside the Department or University may
also be invited. The final examination is oral and is connected mainly with the subject of the dissertation and the field of specialization. The student should fill out the Report
of Final Exam form, obtained from the Department's Graduate Student Services Office, prior to the exam. The Report should be signed by the Chair of the student's Committee
upon successful completion of the Exam, and returned to the Graduate Student Services Coordinator.
Convocation
The student must submit an Application for a Degree in the quarter in which he/she expects to graduate. The deadline for the application is the first day of the quarter.
A degree application is valid only for the Quarter for which it is made. If the degree is not granted at the end of the Quarter in which it was expected, the student must reapply
before the deadline of the next quarter. The University will charge a Degree Cancellation Fee in this case. Exception: Applications withdrawn by the end of the first week
of the quarter will NOT be assessed the cancellation fee. Fees are listed in the Time Schedules.
Students who expect to receive a degree must have fulfilled all financial obligations to the University by the end of the ninth week of the quarter in which they expect to receive a degree.
Students who fail to meet this obligation will be removed from the list of degree candidates and must re-apply for a degree after settling their accounts. Students who have
questions or wish to make arrangements for payment should make an appointment with the Bursar well in advance of the deadline for meeting this requirement.
Revocation of candidacy
A candidate who has not completed a dissertation within three years after admission to candidacy must submit a written petition to the Department Chairman for renewal of candidacy
which otherwise may be revoked. If there is insufficient evidence of progress, the student may be advised to discontinue work, and registration for future academic quarters
may be denied.
Leave of Absence
During Scholastic and Research Residence a student may voluntarily apply for a Leave of Absence from the Ph.D. program. Leaves are approved for up to one year by the
Department; at the conclusion of the leave, the student resumes residence at the point where he or she left off. Once a student has registered for 12 or more academic
quarters (Advanced Residence), there is no provision for Leave of Absence except in cases where circumstances beyond the student's control make continuation of work
toward the degree impossible (e.g., illness, injury). Under such circumstances, a student may petition the Dean of Students in the University for a Leave of Absence not to
exceed one year.
Withdrawal
Graduate students on the graduate residence track who decide to discontinue their studies must see the Department's Graduate Student Services Office to complete withdrawal forms.
Students who withdraw and then later petition successfully to resume their graduate or doctoral studies will be responsible for any outstanding accumulated registration fees.
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