Applicable only to students admitted during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Geophysics and Space Physics

Admission

Program Name

Geophysics and Space Physics

Address

3683A Geology
Box 951567
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 

Phone

(888) 377-8252 

Email

holbrook@ess.ucla.edu  

Leading to the degree of

M.S., Ph.D. 

Admission Limited to

Fall, Winter, Spring 

Deadline to apply

January 15th 

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General

Subject test scores are desirable, preferably in Physics, although Mathematics or Geology are also acceptable. 

Letters of Recommendation 

3 

Other Requirements

In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose.

A bachelor's degree in a physical science, engineering, mathematics, or other field is required. Undergraduate work must include junior- or senior-level courses in mathematical methods, dynamics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics.

Qualified students may proceed directly toward the Ph.D. degree, although most obtain the M.S. degree in the process.

Undergraduate preparation for admission to the program in geophysics and space physics with specialization in applied geophysics is the equivalent of the bachelor's degree in the Applied Geophysics specialty, including Earth and Space Sciences 111, 112, 136A, 136B, 136C, 152, Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, and 114. Exceptions may be allowed, but in particular, deficiency in geophysical fieldwork must be made up 

Master's Degree

Advising

Students are assigned a faculty adviser with research interests close to their own by the graduate adviser in consultation with the student just prior to the first quarter of enrollment. At the beginning of every quarter, the student's program must be reviewed and approved by the faculty adviser before submission for official approval by the graduate adviser.

Departmental Reviews. The Graduate Student Affairs Committee annually reviews students' progress (generally in late May and early June). These reviews become part of students' departmental record and are transmitted to the students and their faculty advisers in writing. If students' scholarship or progress is insufficient, they are subject to dismissal. The normal minimum course load is 12 units per quarter.

Areas of Study

The program in Geophysics and Space Physics offers study in Earth's interior (seismology, gravity, thermal regime, geomagnetism, tectonics), geophysical fluid dynamics (turbulence, rotating systems, stability, hydromagnetism), planetology (orbital dynamics, planetary interiors, surfaces and atmospheres, solar-system origin), space physics (magnetosphere, radiation belts, solar wind, magnetic fields, cosmic rays), and applied geophysics. Other comparable areas of study are also possible.

The objective of the program in Geophysics and Space Physics with specialization in applied geophysics is to provide advanced technical training to students who plan to do detailed analysis of geophysical data in industry, mainly in petroleum exploration.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Courses applied toward the 36-unit minimum requirement must include courses Earth and Space Sciences 200A, 200B, 200C, and at least 12 additional units of 200-series (graduate) courses, of which at least half must fall within a single field of concentration (geophysics, geophysical fluid dynamics, planetology, or space physics) which students select with the advice and approval of their faculty adviser, and the remainder must contribute to their general competence in geophysics and space physics.

In addition to the above requirements, all students are required to enroll each quarter in a seminar in a Geophysics and Space Physics subdiscipline (Earth and Space Sciences 286A-286B-286C, 287A-287B-287C, M288A-M288B-M288C, 289) and present at least one lecture in that seminar during each academic year.

For the program in Geophysics and Space Physics with specialization in applied geophysics, courses applied toward the 36-unit minimum requirement must include Earth and Space Sciences 200A and 202, plus at least two courses from M204, 205, 222. Eight additional units of graduate-level courses are required; courses recommended are Earth and Space Sciences 200B, 208, M224A. Up to eight units of course 596 or 598 may count toward the graduate-level course requirements. Except for course 596 or 598, courses graded on a S/U basis do not apply toward the minimum requirement.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

Students may choose one of two options for this examination: (1) a written six-hour examination in question/answer format or (2) an examination in written proposal/oral format. The proposal format consists of an oral examination based on (but not restricted to) two written research proposals which, along with a written statement of their field, must be submitted to the examining committee before the examination. The breadth of the subject matter of the proposals must be approved by the examining committee.

In either format, the examination tests students' general knowledge of their field (e.g., Earth's interior, geophysical fluid dynamics, planetology, or space physics) as defined by students in a written statement to which they must get the examining committee's concurrence before arranging the examination. The examining committee consists of three or more faculty members, appointed by the graduate adviser in consultation with the student, of whom at least three must be from the department and one must be from outside the student's field of concentration. Courses in the 500 series and courses graded on a S/U basis may not be applied toward the minimum requirement.

The comprehensive examination plan is not offered for the program in Geophysics and Space Physics with specialization in applied geophysics.

Thesis Plan

Every master's degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research.

At least three members of the thesis committee must be from the department. Eight units of 500-series courses (596, 598) may be applied toward the total course requirement.

A thesis is required for the program in Geophysics and Space Physics with specialization in applied geophysics. A qualifying examination on the suitability of the proposed thesis should be taken by the fourth quarter of residence. A final examination must be taken on the adequacy of the completed thesis. The examining committee consists of three or more faculty members, appointed by the graduate adviser in consultation with the student, of whom at least three must be from the department.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to award of degree: Normal time: six quarters; maximum time: nine quarters.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students are assigned a faculty adviser with research interests close to their own by the graduate adviser in consultation with the student just prior to the first quarter of enrollment. At the beginning of every quarter, the student's program must be reviewed and approved by the faculty adviser before submission for official approval by the graduate adviser.

Departmental Reviews. The Graduate Student Affairs Committee annually reviews students' progress (generally in late May and early June). These reviews become part of students' departmental record and are transmitted to the students and their faculty advisers in writing. If students' scholarship or progress is insufficient, they are subject to dismissal. The normal minimum course load is 12 units per quarter.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The program in Geophysics and Space Physics offers study in Earth's interior (seismology, gravity, thermal regime, geomagnetism, tectonics), geophysical fluid dynamics (turbulence, rotating systems, stability, hydromagnetism), planetology (orbital dynamics, planetary interiors, surfaces and atmospheres, solar-system origin), space physics (magnetosphere, radiation belts, solar wind, magnetic fields, cosmic rays), and applied geophysics. Other comparable areas of study are also possible.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Six courses are required, three fundamental physics courses and three courses in the major geophysics disciplines. In addition to these courses, students are required to enroll each quarter in a seminar as outlined below.

Fundamental Physics Examinations. Courses satisfying the fundamental physics requirement may be chosen from the following courses: Earth and Space Sciences 201, 202, Physics 210A, 210B, 215A, 220, 222A, 231A, Chemistry and Biochemistry C223A. Exceptions are that students may not get credit for both examinations in the following pairs due to overlap of subject matter: Earth and Space Sciences 201 and Physics 220; Physics 215A or Chemistry and Biochemistry C223A.

In addition to the above listed courses, students may petition to count toward this requirement either or both of Physics 221A and 221B. Approval of a petition depends on relevance of quantum mechanics to more advanced study planned by the student. Other substitutions may be petitioned in exceptional cases. Students who can demonstrate they have mastered the material elsewhere may petition for course credit. The three courses that satisfy the fundamental physics requirement must be passed with a grade-point average of 3.3 or better, on a 4.0 scale. The fundamental physics examinations must all be passed prior to undertaking the departmental written qualifying examination.

Courses in the Three Major Geophysics Disciplines. Earth and Space Sciences 200A, 200B, 200C, on solid Earth, oceans and atmospheres, and space plasma physics must be passed with a grade-point average grade of 3.3 or better, on a 4.0 scale. These examinations must be attempted by the fourth quarter of enrollment. Students who do not reach the necessary level of achievement by the sixth quarter of enrollment are not eligible to continue in the Ph.D. program and may not attempt the departmental written qualifying examination. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted by petition under extenuating circumstances.

In addition to the above requirements, all students are required to enroll each quarter in a seminar in a Geophysics and Space Physics subdiscipline (Earth and Space Sciences 286A-286B-286C, 287A-287B-287C, M288A-M288B-M288C, 289) and present at least one lecture in that seminar during each academic year.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass University written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations the University oral qualifying examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to University requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

Written Qualifying Examination. Students may choose one of two options for this examination: (1) a written six-hour examination in question/answer format or (2) an examination in written proposal/oral format. The proposal format consists of an oral examination based on (but not restricted to) two written research proposals which must be submitted to the examining committee at least 10 days before the examination. The breadth of the subject matter of the proposals must be approved by the examining committee.

The examination tests students' general knowledge of their field (Earth's interior, geophysical fluid dynamics, planetology, or space physics) as defined by students in a written statement to which they must get the examining committee's concurrence before arranging the examination. The examining committee consists of three or more faculty members, appointed by the graduate adviser in consultation with students, of whom at least three must be from the department and one must be from outside the students' field of concentration.

University Oral Qualifying Examination. After passing the field examination, students must consult their faculty adviser and the graduate adviser regarding nomination of the doctoral committee and arrange a time for the examination as soon as possible. The examination determines the suitability of the chosen problem for the Ph.D. dissertation and their capacity to pursue research on the problem, but it is not limited to these topics. A written prospectus on their topic must be handed to the committee at least 10 days before the examination. Repetition of a failed examination is at the option of the doctoral committee. If students do not pass this examination within five years after entering the program, they are subject to dismissal.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

From admission to completion of examinations in the three major geophysics disciplines: Normal time: three quarters; Maximum time: six quarters.

From admission to completion of fundamental physics examination: Normal time: four quarters; Maximum time: six quarters.

From admission to completion of written qualifying examination:

Normal time: six quarters; Maximum time: nine quarters.

From admission to completion of oral qualifying examination:

Normal time: nine quarters; Maximum time: 12 quarters.

From admission to completion of final oral examination (and completion of dissertation):

Normal time: 12 quarters; Maximum time: 18 quarters.

Students who do not pass an examination within the maximum time listed above are subject to dismissal, even though they may have a satisfactory grade-point average.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be recommended for termination who fails to meet requirements regarding course scheduling and deadlines for completion of examinations or the degree as agreed upon between the student and the Graduate Affairs Committee or the student's advising committee. A student may appeal a recommendation for termination through a letter to the graduate adviser or the departmental chair.

PAGE 1 -- Geochemistry
PAGE 2 -- Geology