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PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Planetary Sciences

USA

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What will I learn?

Upon completion of the Ph.D. program in Planetary Sciences, a student will:

  • demonstrate a broad, quantitative understanding of the fundamental processes, including physical, chemical, geological, and biological, related to planetary sciences, broadly defined. Planetary sciences includes, but is not limited to, the science of the Sun, planets and their moons, other Solar System objects, and objects orbiting other stars;
  • demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a subfield related to planetary sciences (minor);
  • demonstrate ability to design, conduct, and document an independent research project that generates results that can be published in the peer-reviewed literature;
  • effectively evaluate the scientific literature essential to the research area and articulate how the research is related to and advances the discipline;
  • effectively communicate their research to peers and colleagues (e.g. peer-reviewed literature, national or international conferences and workshops, and seminars);
  • effectively communicate their science to a broader audience, including its basic aspects to a lay person.

Degree Requirements

Minimum credits: 63

Core coursework: 12 units of core courses, consisting of 2 courses from the Physics group, and one each from the Chemistry and Geology groups:

PHYSICS (PTYS 505A; PTYS 505B; PTYS 517; PTYS 553)
CHEMISTRY (PTYS 510A; PTYS 510B)
GEOLOGY (PTYS 512; PTYS 554)

Exceptionally well prepared students may petition to waive the requirement to take a core course. Waiver requests are reviewed by the core course instructor in consultation with the GAAC. The student is required to demonstrate knowledge of the core course material. Waiving courses in this way does not change the number of questions that the student is required to answer in each section of the written comprehensive examination.

Other requirements:

Nine units of coursework in the minor field of study (or as required by minor department).
Twelve units of elective coursework (graded ABCDE) numbered PTYS 500 or above
Twelve additional units of elective courses numbered 500 or above (including research, field trips, independent study, PTYS elective courses, seminars, and courses offered in other departments) as approved by the major advisor.
Eighteen units of dissertation credit (PTYS 920; PTYS 910 thesis units may not be substituted for 920).

At least one half the units used on the Doctoral Plan of Study must be in courses in which regular grades (ABC) have been earned. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in the PTYS core courses to be considered in good academic standing. Failure to maintain this standing results in dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

Which department am I in?

College of Science

Study options

Full Time (Minimum credits: 63)

Tuition fees
US$34,358.00 per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

15 January 2025

Venue

The University of Arizona

TUCSON,

Arizona,

85721, United States

Entry requirements

For international students

Applicants should have completed an undergraduate major in a physical science such as astronomy, atmospheric sciences, chemistry, geology, mathematics, or physics. However, admission is based on the overall demonstrated capability and preparation of the applicant.

English Proficiency requirements

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 79 iBT or 60 on the revised PBT with no section score lower than 15 (550 on PBT taken before 2017)
    International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum composite score of 7, with no subject area below a 6
    Pearson PTE Academic - minimum score of 60
    Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - minimum raw score of 110
    Graduate English Language Endorsement for the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)
    CEPT Full Academic test - minimum raw score of 110, offered by our Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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