Earth System Science

Stanford University

United States of America, Stanford

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Stanford University

United States of America , Stanford

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Application Fee

USD 90

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines24-Jun-2137

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

USD 18,829 / term

Next Intake 24-Jun-2137

Earth System Science

About

The University's requirements for the Ph.D. degree are outlined in the "Graduate Degree" section of this bulletin.

Admission

For admission to graduate work in the department, completion of the Aptitude Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing assessment) of the Graduate Record Examination is optional. In keeping with University policy, applicants whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores from a test taken within the last 18 months. Individuals who have completed a B.S. or two-year M.S. program in the U.S. or other English-speaking country are not required to submit TOEFL scores.

Teaching Assistantship

As a program requirement, advanced degree candidates in ESS complete TA-appointed (25%) quarters at a minimum of: 2 for Ph.D. students and 1 for master's students, to be completed over the course of study. In addition, additional TA quarters may be considered and/or required in consultation with the research advisor, depending on academic goals, funding availability, or the requirements of individual doctoral programs.

Annual Review

Each year, the department evaluates students to assess progress to degree, identify areas of strength, provide helpful resources, and note potential issues or areas of concern. This annual review includes a record of accomplishments presented by the student, written evaluations by the faculty advisor of the student's progress, and committee feedback on the academic and research progress of the student. The student should have no 'I' grades in core courses, must maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average, and show evidence of productive and sustained research progress, with no conflict of interest or conflict of commitment.

Possible outcomes of the annual review include: (1) continuation of the student in good standing, and (2) placing the student on probation, with specific written guidelines of the period of probation and the necessary steps for reinstatement to good standing.

Annual reviews are required for all Ph.D. students, including first-year Ph.D. students. In the first year, the annual review is conducted between the student and the Ph.D. advisor(s) (prior to forming a doctoral committee). After the first year, the annual review must be conducted between the student and the student's doctoral committee. In all years, the written annual review form must be completed and signed by both the student and the advisor.

In the year in which students are undertaking their candidacy exam (research qualifying exam), that exam serves as the annual review. In addition, any student who has scheduled the dissertation defense and petitioned to graduate in Axess may elect not to hold an additional annual review meeting. Annual reviews that are not the qualifying exam or dissertation defense should take place in the Autumn or Winter Quarter (with the exception of first-year students, who may hold their annual review meeting with their advisor(s) in Spring Quarter).

Candidacy and Qualification Exam

Admission to a doctoral degree program is preliminary to, and distinct from, admission to candidacy. Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree is a judgment by the faculty in the department or school of the student's potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. Candidacy is valid for five calendar years (through the end of the quarter in which candidacy expires), unless terminated by the department (for example, for unsatisfactory progress). University policy requires completion of the department qualifying procedures and application for candidacy by the end of the second year in the Ph.D. program. Therefore, it is strongly advised that the qualifying exam be taken during the fith (non-Summer) quarter so that the student may retake the exam in the case of inadequate performance and still advance to candidacy by the end of the sixth (non-Summer) quarter.

Students must present a draft proposal to their advisor in a timely fashion, and take account of the advisor's comments and require revisions before preparing a final draft. The student submits a copy of the final draft of the research proposal to each member of the examining committee at least two weeks before the scheduled date of the examination.

The qualifying exam is an oral exam based on the candidate's written research proposal. The exam is a test of the student's ability to recognize, evaluate, and plan a significant research project and his/her mastery of fields essential to the completion of research. The research proposal must provide a concise review of the background literature, and must discuss the proposed problem, its importance, and the methods to be applied to its examination. The methods should be made clear. The proposal must contain a timetable and, if appropriate, the student should discuss such matters as funding, field logistics, laboratory scheduling, and availability of equipment. The proposal must be well thought out, carefully written and edited, and finished with appropriate references and illustrations. It must not exceed 15 double-spaced pages in length, exclusive of figures and bibliography. The qualifying exam is oral and consists of three parts:

A presentation of the proposed research (no more than 30 minutes duration);
An examination of the candidate on the merits of the proposal, touching on but not limited to the aspects listed in the proposal; and
An examination of any subject matter judged by committee members to be relevant to the student's ability to carry out the proposed research.

It is recognized that, in practice, parts 1"گ 3 may not be entirely separate and distinct. The entire examination lasts no less than 2 hours and no more than 3 hours; the examination under part 3 is at least one hour. No part of examination is public.

Doctoral Dissertation and Oral Defense

Under the supervision of the research advisory committee, the candidate must prepare a doctoral dissertation that is a contribution to knowledge and is the result of independent research; curriculum must also be developed with the supervision of the committee, which should be designed to provide a rigorous foundation for the research area. The format of the dissertation must meet University guidelines. The student is urged to prepare dissertation chapters that, in scientific content and format, are readily publishable.

The doctoral dissertation is defended in the University oral examination. The department appoints the research advisor and two other members of the research committee to be readers of the draft dissertation. The readers are charged to read the draft and to certify in writing to the department that it is adequate to serve as a basis for the University oral examination. Upon obtaining this written certification, the student is permitted to schedule the University oral examination.

Join our strong intellectual community of graduate groups, faculty, and premier research programs through which you'll develop the skills needed to conduct original investigations in environmental and Earth system sciences, interpret the results, and present the data and conclusions in a publishable manner.

The objectives of the doctoral program in Earth System Science are to enable students to develop the skills needed to conduct original investigations in environmental and earth system sciences, to interpret the results, and to present the data and conclusions in a publishable manner. Graduates should develop strong communication skills with the ability to teach and communicate effectively with the public.

The objectives of the master's program in Earth System Science is to continue a student's training in one of the earth science disciplines and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies.

Disciplines

Environmental Earth System Science

Requirements

Entry Requirements

At Stanford, we practice holistic admission. Each piece in your application is part of an integrated and comprehensive whole.

One piece tells us about your background and life experiences, another about your school and your academic achievement. We learn from others about your character and intellectual contributions. In your essays, we learn about your ideas and interests, and what is meaningful to you.

Each year we aim to enroll a class of diverse backgrounds and experiences, talents, academic interests, and ways of viewing the world.

In a holistic review, we seek to understand how you, as a whole person, would grow, contribute and thrive at Stanford, and how Stanford would, in turn, be changed by you.

Academic Excellence

The primary criterion for admission to Stanford is academic excellence. We look for your preparation and potential to succeed. We expect you to challenge yourself throughout high school and to do very well.

The most important credential for evaluating your academic record is your high school transcript. Please know that our evaluation goes beyond any numerical formula. There is no minimum GPA or test score, nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to have your application reviewed or be admitted to Stanford.

For more complete information on our curriculum guidelines for first-year students, please visit our Academic Preparation page.

Intellectual Vitality

We want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons, both in what you write about yourself and in what others write on your behalf. We want to see the kind of curiosity and enthusiasm that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in a first-year seminar and continue the conversation at the dinner table. We want to see the energy and depth of commitment you will bring to your endeavors, whether that means in a research lab, as part of a community organization, during a performance or on an athletic field. We want to see the initiative with which you seek out opportunities and expand your perspective.

Extracurricular Activities

Learning about your extracurricular activities and nonacademic interests helps us understand your potential contributions to the Stanford community. Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which a student participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. You may also hold down a job or have family responsibilities. These are as important as any other extracurricular activity. In general, we want to understand the impact you have had at your job, in your family, in a club, in your school or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.

In some cases, exceptional abilities in athletics may influence our decision if the applicant is otherwise well qualified, but such abilities never, by themselves, ensure admission to Stanford.

Context

Just as no two Stanford students are the same, each applicant to Stanford is unique. This means that as we review each application, we pay careful attention to unique circumstances. We take into account your background, educational pathway, and work and family responsibilities. By focusing on your achievements in context, we evaluate how you have excelled in your school environment and how you have taken advantage of what is available to you in your school and community.

It is important to know these variables are not listed in order of importance in our evaluation and selection process. We review applications holistically. No portion of the application is considered without the rest of the application.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

USD 18,829

Application Fee

USD 90

How to Apply

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