This document describes the common practices of the faculty named below in admitting, advising, and graduating students in UNR's Geophysics degree programs. There may be some variances from the guidelines set down by the Geological Sciences Department. Please consult your faculty advisor and the Geophysics member of your committee at least once every semester to make sure you are meeting all the necessary expectations.
J. Anderson; J. Brune; R. Karlin; J. Louie; S. Wesnousky
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Coursework in Classical Mechanics, Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Computer Programming. At least 3 years of undergraduate mathematics recommended. Admissions Committee expects entrant would succeed in chosen program.Please contact the Geological Sciences Department office at (775) 784-6050 or send email to ramos@mines.unr.edu for specific application requirements and instructions. You can get additional information on applying to UNR here.
By end of second semester:
Take 30 credits of coursework,18 at 700 level, maintain B average.
By end of second semester:
Suggested courses: GEOL Adv. Geology, 655, 656, 690, 653, 692, 693, 705, 706, 735, 774, 775, 756, 757, 758, 736; GE 679; CE 704; PHYS 701; MECH 700, 720.
Please design your program in consultation with your M.S. thesis advisor.
By end of third semester:
Comprehensive Exam: committee of Advisor and at least 2 other Geol. Sci. faculty designs oral and written exams based on student's program to date. Advisor may recommend remedial actions from exam results.
By end of second year:
Completion of M.S. thesis in proper form, followed by oral defense including public presentation, and evaluation by committee of Advisor and at least 2 other Geol. Sci. faculty.
A Master's thesis is regarded as the equivalent of one publishable paper, and typically runs less than 100 pages in Graduate School format.
By end of third year:
Take 72 credits, 48 in course work, 24 max from prior studies, 30 at 700 level. Maintain B average.
By end of second year:
Five required Core courses in Geological Sciences:655Credits from equivalent courses transferred from another institution may be accepted by your committee.
656
690
one of 653, 692, 693
705 or 706
By end of third year:
Recommended courses: GE 679; GEOL Adv. Geology, 602, 653, 692, 693, 705, 706, 758, 736, 761, 775, 735, 774, 756, 757; PHYS 701; CE 704; MECH 700, 720.
Please design your program in consultation with your Ph.D. thesis advisor and committee.
During or before 3rd semester:
Qualifying Exam: student prepares by involvement in research project and hopefully publication during first year. Presents 15-minute summary of research; Exam Committee of at least 3 Geol. Sci. faculty, approved by Advisor, asks oral questions on background, course work, and research to date. Advisor may invite other Ph.D. UCCSN faculty. Failure may result in dismissal from program, redirection to M.S. degree, or re-examination during following semester, at discretion of Committee.
During or before 7th semester:
Comprehensive Exam: student prepares thesis proposal and reviews coursework. Advisor and student select Thesis Committee of at least 4 Geol. Sci. and 1 outside faculty. Thesis Committee designs written exam, administers to student and evaluates results. Oral examination follows within two weeks, beginning with student's presentation of thesis proposal, followed by questions on preparation and value of potential thesis. Upon failure Committee would make remedial recommendations and re-examine no more than 2 semesters later.
By end of fourth year:
Completion of Ph.D. thesis in proper form, followed by oral defense including public presentation, and evaluation by Thesis Committee.
A Ph.D. thesis is a substantial and original work, regarded as equivalent to at least three publishable papers, normally more than 100 pages long in Graduate School format. The Thesis Committee reviews the thesis during its writing, and defense is not scheduled until the Committee is confident the thesis is complete and in proper form.