Graduate Program Structure

During the first week of the first term, students should meet with their Advisory Committee to select four areas of concentration and plan their first-year courses and research. Concentration areas may include topics like atmospheric dynamics, geochemistry, oceanography, and more. The Advisory Committee and student may adjust these areas as needed.

In the first two weeks of each term, first- and second-year students must submit their final course schedule to the Advisor and Advisory Committee for approval via email, with copies sent to the Registrar. The first three terms should prepare students for research projects and the Qualifying Examination through relevant courses, seminars, and independent reading.

Independent Research Projects

In the first two years, students must start independent research projects, which will lead to their Major and Minor Discourses. Students must work with their Advisor and Advisory Committee to identify these projects and submit brief pre-proposals (2-3 pages) by the end of the second term. 

Major Discourse

• Submission: The Major Discourse, proposing a research project for 2-3 years, is due by the end of March in the 4th term, after Advisory Committee approval.
• Format: It should follow the NSF proposal style and include:
  1. Project Summary: One page outlining the significance, tasks, and outcomes.
  2. Introduction: Detailed problem explanation, literature review, and hypothesis.
  3. Preliminary Work: Methods, results, and significance of preliminary findings.
  4. Proposed Work: Detailed plan for 3 years, including methods, potential problems, and justifications.
  5. Significance: Impact of the research.
  6. Broader Impact: Relevance to fields beyond Earth Science.
  7. Bibliography: Complete list of cited work.
• Length: 12-15 pages (12-point font, single spaced, 1-inch margins) including figures and tables but not the bibliography.
• Review: The Advisor and Advisory Committee members will assess and provide feedback on the Major Discourse.

The Minor Discourse, a second independent research project, provides broader research experience and is due by the end of the second year.

Advisor: Supervised by a faculty member other than the primary Advisor.

Topic: Must be significantly different from the Major Discourse but can be within the student’s broader expertise. The Advisory Committee determines the independence of the topic.

Format: Should follow NSF proposal style or be a short, publication-quality research paper.

Steps

• Pre-Proposal: Submit a 2-3 page pre-proposal at the end of the first year, along with the Major Discourse pre-proposal.
• Preliminary Presentation: Present the Minor Discourse in about 10 minutes during the Preliminary Presentation/Practice Exam in Fall of the second year.
• Submission: Submit the Minor Discourse to the Advisory Committee for feedback and then to the DGS office by the end of the second year, along with the Major Discourse.
• Qualifying Presentation: The Minor Discourse is covered in about 10 minutes of the 40-minute Qualifying Presentation and is open to questioning.

Graduate School Requirements:

1. Qualifying Examination: Must pass an oral and/or written exam.
2. Dissertation Prospectus: Must present a Dissertation Prospectus for faculty approval.

In EPS:

• Major Discourse: Represents the Dissertation Prospectus.
• Qualifying Presentation: Oral exam that serves as the Qualifying Exam.

Preparation:

• In the 3rd term, students consolidate their knowledge for the Qualifying Exam.

Qualifying Exam Protocol:

• Scheduling: Managed by the DGS office, occurring in April of the 4th term. The event lasts about 2.5 hours, with 3 hours reserved.

Exam Structure:

1. Oral Presentation:
   • Duration: 40 minutes (30 minutes on the Major Discourse, 10 minutes on the Minor Discourse).
   • Content: Overview of Discourses, preliminary work, and future plans.
2. Question Period:  
   • A brief 5-minutes Q&A session is held for the general audience, followed by an extended closed Q&A session.

Outcomes:

• PhD Candidacy: If passed, the student is recommended for a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree by the Graduate School.
• Non-Candidacy: Students may be advised to retake the exam or complete aspects of their Discourses for a Master’s Essay or Thesis.

Additional Notes:

• Masters Essay/Thesis: Should be completed before the end of summer if required.

Overview:

• Timing: Students present their Dissertation progress to their full Advisory Committee during the Spring terms of their third year and each subsequent year, unless planning to defend in the Fall of that year.
• Purpose: These meetings focus on discussing research progress, future directions, and career guidance, rather than repeating the Qualifying Exam.

Meeting Structure:

1. Pre-Meeting Preparation:
   • Submission: Students must submit an update on their research progress, future plans, a timetable for completing research and thesis goals, and any new publications or manuscripts.
2. During the Meeting:
   • Participants: Full Advisory Committee is required. The Advisor moderates the meeting.
   • Presentation: The student presents for up to 30 minutes.
   • Discussion: Followed by a question and discussion period.
   • Duration: The meeting should not exceed 1.5 hours.
3. Post-Meeting Process:
   • Private Discussion: After the student leaves, the faculty discusses the student’s progress, standing, and performance.
   • Feedback: The Advisor provides feedback and generates a brief report, which is sent to the student, Advisory Committee, and DGS office. The report is reviewed at the next Student Evaluation Faculty Meeting.

Additional Evaluation:

• Poor Standing: If a student is viewed as in poor standing after the Third Year Progress Meeting, an additional Committee Evaluation will be scheduled within six months.
• Committee Evaluation: This assessment will review the student’s knowledge and research capacity. Unsatisfactory performance may lead to the student being released from the program.

The Dissertation Defense involves a formal oral presentation to the Department summarizing the major results of the Dissertation research. The Dissertation is formally reviewed by a Reading Committee composed of four members. By default, the Reading Committee is assigned to be the members of the student’s Advisory Committee, but this arrangement is not required. The following checklist outlines the various steps involved in preparation, submission, defense, and completion of the Dissertation. Additional important details are given at the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences “Graduation Requirements(Link is external) (Link opens in new window)” page and at the Yale University Registrar’s Office “Dissertation Submission(Link is external) (Link opens in new window)” page .

• Publication: Students are encouraged to publish their research before submission. The Dissertation should integrate published and unpublished work into a coherent document with an Introduction and Conclusion.
• Preparation: Draft the Dissertation with the advisor’s guidance. Send the draft to the Advisor and Advisory Committee at least one month before the Defense.
• Defense Scheduling: Schedule the Defense at least 4 weeks after submitting the draft. It must be held during the academic year and before the last Faculty Meeting in May. Notify the DGS Office by the end of January if defending in the spring term.
• Abstract and Announcement: Submit a short Dissertation abstract to the DGS Office at least one week before the Defense. The Defense is open to all.
• Defense Procedure: Present a 40-minute summary of the Dissertation, followed by a public Q&A. Then, meet privately with the Reading Committee for detailed questioning.
• Revisions: Revise the Dissertation based on feedback from the Reading Committee. Consult with them to ensure the changes are suitable.
• Final Submission: Submit the final Dissertation electronically to the Graduate School Registrar and the EPS Registrar. Follow Yale’s formatting guidelines (see Dissertation Submission(Link is external)(Link is external)).
• Archived Collections: If applicable, ensure any specimen collections are curated and approved by the Advisor.
• Degree Award: Reader’s Reports are reviewed, and if the Dissertation is accepted, a recommendation is made to the Graduate School Degree Committee. Submit by October 1 for a December degree or March 15 for a May degree.