• Minimum of 30 credits beyond the M.S. of which 18 must be dissertation research credits (ESCI 690)

• Minimum of 12 credits in content graduate courses relevant to the research focus; minimum of at least 8 credits must be taken within the Department of Earth Sciences

* Note: Minimum requirements for a Master's degree include 20 course credits and 10 thesis credits

• Minimum of 36 credits beyond the bachelor's degree of which 18 (minimum) must be research credits (ESCI 690)

• Minimum of 18 credits in content graduate courses relevant to the research focus; minimum of at least 12 credits must be taken within the Department of Earth Sciences

• Written qualifying examination and oral defense of a written research (dissertation) proposal during the first year of residence, typically late in the second semester of residence. The written qualifying examination shall consist of 1) the dissertation proposal including a thorough literature review of the research problem and 2) an in-depth essay (review paper format, 5,000 – 10,000 words) on the trends and future directions of the candidates chosen field of study as defined by the dissertation chairperson and committee. The oral defense will also include questions on the written "trends and future directions" essay. Doctoral students are offered only one opportunity to successfully pass the written qualifying exam and oral qualifying exam.

• Written and oral comprehensive exam, usually taken near the end of content course work (but before the defense of dissertation), covering the background material, pertinent literature, training and ability needed to complete research. Students are allowed to retake the written and/or oral comprehensive exams only once.

• Dissertation defense with an in-depth oral presentation that is open to the public and a closed portion in which the committee examines the student.

• The philosophy behind a doctoral degree is focused, intense research in a specific field

• The major professor and student's graduate committee will determine additional specific course requirements for completion of the Doctor of Philosophy degree. In some cases, competency in a foreign language may be required by the student’s graduate committee

• A minimum of 2/3 of the content course credits must be taken from MSU-Bozeman

• Ph.D. committees shall consist of a minimum of four faculty members plus a Graduate Representative. The Graduate Representative is selected by the College of Graduate Studies to monitor and insure compliance with the policies and regulations of the college, as well as insure that committee meetings are conducted in a fair and satisfactory manner

• Ph.D. candidates must submit their a) program of study and b) committee to the Graduate College by the end of the first semester of study

• Ph.D. candidates are required to present, in addition to their dissertation defense, a minimum of one talk on their research in the Department of Earth Sciences seminar program, approximately halfway through their course of study

• Ph.D. candidates are required to be thoroughly familiar with all information and requirements outlined in the Graduate Catalog and Division of Graduate Education website and are responsible for meeting all dates and deadlines