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This archived information is dated to the 2008-09 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics

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Graduate Programs in Geophysics

Objectives—The Ph.D. degree is conferred upon evidence of high attainment in Geophysics and ability to conduct an independent investigation and present the results of such research.

Requirements for the Degree—A minimum of 135 units of graduate study at Stanford must be satisfactorily completed. An acceptable program normally consists of at least 45 lecture units in the areas listed following. Up to 18 lecture units in categories 2, 4, and 6 may be satisfied by courses taken elsewhere if the previous course duplicates an existing Stanford course and the Stanford faculty member responsible for the course concurs. Required courses must be taken for a letter grade, if offered. Students are required to attend the department seminars.

  1. ENGR 202W
  2. GEOPHYS 201
  3. 12 units of Geophysics lecture courses numbered 100 or higher.
  4. 12 units of Geophysics lecture courses numbered 200 or higher, taken from at least four faculty members with different research specializations.
  5. One 3-unit lecture course numbered 100 or higher in mathematics, science, or engineering covering mathematical methods, continuum or fluid mechanics, or Fourier/spectral analysis.
  6. 9 units of 200-level or higher courses in math, science, engineering, or other quantitative science.
  7. 6 units of non-Geophysics lecture courses numbered 100 or higher in Earth or planetary sciences, ecology, hydrology, chemistry, or relevant biology.
  8. One 3-unit non-Geophysics lecture course numbered 200 or higher in Earth or planetary science, ecology, hydrology, chemistry, or relevant biology.
  9. Sufficient units of independent work on a research problem to meet the 135-unit University requirement. 12 units must be met by participation in the GEOPHYS 385 series, or equivalent series in other departments with approval of the adviser and graduate coordinator. Students are encouraged to participate in the GEOPHYS 385 series from more than one faculty member or group and relevant equivalent series in other departments.
  10. Two quarters of quarter-time teaching assistant experience. For more information, see the Geophysics Administrative Guide, section 1.4.1.

The student's record must indicate outstanding scholarship, and deficiencies in previous training must be removed. Experience as a teaching assistant (quarter-time for at least two academic quarters) is required for the Ph.D. degree. The student must pass the departmental oral examination by presenting and defending a written research paper or proposal by the end of the sixth academic quarter (third academic quarter for students with an M.S. degree); prepare under faculty supervision a dissertation that is a contribution to knowledge and the result of independent work expressed in satisfactory form; and pass the University oral examination. The Ph.D. dissertation must be submitted in its final form within five calendar years from the date of admission to candidacy.

Upon formal acceptance into a research group, the student and faculty adviser form a supervising committee consisting of at least three members who are responsible for overseeing satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. degree. At least two committee members must be Geophysics faculty members. The committee conducts the department oral examination, and meets thereafter annually with the student to review degree progress. The Geophysics faculty monitors progress of all students who have not yet passed their department oral examination by carrying out an annual performance appraisal at a closed faculty meeting.

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