The Department of Geosciences and the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability offer a Ph.D. program in Earth Sciences. The degree program has formal specializations in Watershed Science and in Geosciences. Faculty members from the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, and the Department of Geosciences will advise students in the Watershed Science specialization. Faculty members in the Department of Geosciences will advise students in the Geosciences specialization. Prospective Ph.D. students should visit the departmental websites to identify likely advisors and contact them directly for further information about Ph.D. opportunities. Because the degree program is officially housed in the Department of Geosciences, student applications for both specializations will be formally handled here, and admitted students will be officially enrolled through the Department of Geosciences. The Ph.D. program ordinarily takes three or more years beyond the M.S. degree. Candidates must complete a total of 72 semester credits beyond the B.S. degree. A master's degree from an accredited college or university may be accepted for a maximum of 30 credits. Candidates are typically expected to assist in at least one semester of teaching. Written and oral qualifying exams are normally taken by the end of the second year, with successful completion advancing the student to Ph.D. candidacy. An original research project must be presented as a dissertation and defended in an oral exam.

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