EPS-PHD - Earth and Planetary Sciences (PhD)
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Program Overview
Graduate Studies in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (formerly Geological Science) involve academic coursework and independent research. Students are prepared for careers as professional scientists in research, education, or the application of the Earth and planetary sciences to mineral, energy, water, and space resources. Course programs in the areas of faculty interest are tailored to the student’s needs and interests with the aid of their research advisor. Students are encouraged to include in their program courses offered in other departments at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and other departments in the university.
PhD students are encouraged to broaden and deepen their knowledge by taking formal coursework in earth sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and engineering. Students must consult with their research advisor(s) regarding course selection. Some specific programs in EPS have additional course and examination requirements that must be fulfilled before advancing to PhD candidacy. Students should consult with their advisor(s) about possible requirements in addition to the general EPS requirements.
Admissions Information
The following items must be received in the electronic application:
Online application (the online application opens in mid-September for the following next year’s autumn next start)
Application fee
Statement of purpose
Supplemental questions (Answered in the online application)
Three letters of recommendation
Scanned copy of official transcript(s)
TOEFL, if applicable
In keeping with university policy, applicants whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores from a test taken within the last 18 months. Individuals who have completed a BS or two-year MS program in the U.S. or other English-speaking countries are not required to submit TOEFL scores. Previously admitted students who wish to change their degree objective from MS to PhD must petition the EPS Admissions Committee.
If you have additional questions, contact eps-admissions@stanford.edu. More university information and application system questions can be found on Stanford’s Graduate Admissions website and the online application.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Thesis Advisor
By the end of the first quarter in residence, students must select a faculty advisor who is a member department.
Students must complete six graded graduate-level courses of at least three units each, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher. In addition, students are required to complete the EPS First-Year Graduate Core Series.
By the end of Spring Quarter in their first year, students must complete at least three graduate-level courses taught by a minimum of two different EPS faculty members. The remaining three required courses may be any graded courses of at least three units offered by the University, to be completed by the time of graduation.
A required sequence of courses designed to support first-year PhD students in the Earth & Planetary Sciences program. This bundle provides foundational training in research design, scientific communication, professional development, and an introduction to the department’s diverse research areas.
An incoming student with a relevant master of science degree may apply for a departmental waiver for up to two graduate-level courses to fulfill these requirements, as approved by their departmental graduate faculty advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Transfer credits cannot be used to satisfy the first-year requirement.
PhD students must complete at least two TA appointments (25%). Additional TA quarters may be considered and/or required in consultations with the research advisor, depending on academic goals, funding availability, or the requirements of individual doctoral programs.
Each student must qualify for candidacy for the PhD by the end of the sixth quarter in residence (excluding summers).
The qualifying exam consists of three parts: oral presentation of a research proposal, examination of the research proposal, and examination of subject matter relevant to the proposed research.
The Qualifying Exam Committee must meet department requirements for doctoral committee membership. The committee consists of four or five members. At least three must be Academic Council members, and at least two must be EPS Academic Council members or with EPS courtesy appointments. The Chair of the Examining Committee must be on the Academic Council and cannot be the student’s advisor. The committee must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Department Chair (or the Department’s Associate Chair if the student’s advisor is either the Director of Graduate Studies or Chair).
The exam should be scheduled before May 1 so that the outcome of the exam is known at the time of the annual spring evaluation of graduate students.
Upon qualifying for PhD candidacy, the student and faculty advisor choose a research Reading Committee that includes the faculty advisor. The Reading Committee must meet university requirements for doctoral committee membership.
The doctoral dissertation is defended in a University Oral Examination. The oral examination defense is a public seminar followed by a closed session with the student’s Oral Examination Committee. The committee must meet university requirements for doctoral committee membership.
Under the supervision of the research Reading Committee which includes the faculty advisor, the candidate must prepare a doctoral dissertation that contributes to knowledge and is the result of independent research. The student is strongly urged to prepare dissertation chapters that, in scientific content and format, are readily publishable. The format of the dissertation must meet university dissertation guidelines.