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Ph.D. Degree Requirements
The PhD degree requires successful completion of 42 credits of course work and 30 hours of dissertation credit for a total of 72 hours (minimum). Previous course work from a pevious graduate program may be considered for the Ph.D. Program with advisor approval. A Ph.D. committee consists of 5 faculty members (minimum). Required courses: GEOL 5020 and 2 semesters (1 credit/sem) of Distinguished Lecture Series.
Requirements specific to the Ph.D. in geophysics: Students must complete at least 6 additional hours of graduate-level coursework: 3 in mathematics and 3 in physics or engineering. Recommended graduate-level mathematics courses include differential equations, numerical analysis, and real and complex variables; in physics and engineering, they include classical mechanics, continuum mechanics, elasticity, electricity and magnetism. Ph.D. candidates are required to take at least 12 hours of 5000-level geophysics courses exclusive of GEOL 5854. Substitutions for graduate-level geophysics courses may be made with the permission of the candidate’s advisor. Remaining graduate-level course requirements may be made up from courses in physics, engineering, mathematics and geology.
First semester: Student and advisor meet to identify any background deficiencies. Deficiency coursework must be completed with a grade of B or better early in the student’s graduate residence.
Second Semester: Oral qualifying examination, committee and program filed. See links below for format and send committee member names to acadcoord_gg@uwyo.edu.
Ph.D. Program of Study
Ph.D. Oral Exam Requirements
Fourth or Fifth Semester: Preliminary Examination. This exam is scheduled following completion of 30 hours of 4000-level or higher coursework, not including independent study or research credits. Following successful completion of the pre-lim, a student has 4 years to complete the degree.
Preliminary Exam
Final Semester: Oral presentation of the written dissertation.
Signature Form
Additional Graduation Requirements:
- Declare graduation date (docx)
- Pay graduation fees
For any additional information, please visit the UW Graduate Student Resources page.