Graduate Program Details

Each student must have a Major Advisor who is a member of the EEPS faculty authorized to supervise Ph.D. students. The initial Major Advisor is assigned to each incoming student based on the student’s interests at the time of matriculation. Together with the Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Studies Committee, the Major Advisor (i) recommends courses for the student to take during the first year, (ii) acts as a sounding board and provides feedback to the student regarding progress in the program, and (iii) provides an assessment to the EEPS faculty regarding the student's qualifications to proceed in the PhD program. The Major Advisor will also advise the First-Year Research Project.

A student is not required to keep the initial Major Advisor and may select a new one. The student must first secure a new Major Advisor who agrees to the role, then notify the current Major Advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Each student should form a Research Advisory Committee early in the program, and no later than the start of the second semester in residence. Populating the committee is the responsibility of the student but should be done in consultation with the Major Advisor. The Research Advisory Committee form must be completed and submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies. The   must consist of at least three full-time Washington University in St. Louis faculty members who are authorized to supervise PhD students, one of whom is the Major Advisor who is also the chair of the committee. In addition to the Major Advisor, at least one of the two remaining members of the Research Advisory Committee must be a faculty member in EEPS. Beyond the required members of the Research Advisory Committee, additional members, including external members with active research programs at outside institutions, may serve on the Research Advisory Committee subject to approval by the Office of Graduate Studies. The Research Advisory Committee will be part of the student's Oral Examination Committee (Section 5.3) and the Dissertation Examination Committee (Section 7.1). Members of those committees are not automatically members of the Research Advisory Committee unless they are added via the Research Advisory Committee form.

Graduate students are required to meet with their Research Advisory Committee at least once per academic year (July 1 – June 30). Each student is responsible for ensuring that Research Advisory Committee meetings are scheduled and completed. Completion of the annual review is required to maintain good academic standing in the PhD program. Meetings with the Research Advisory Committee must be documented using the EEPS Committee Meeting Verification Form. In addition to the Research Advisory Committee, students may invite other individuals who are expected to serve on the dissertation defense committee, though this is not required.

Scheduled meetings typically include

• an initial meeting during the second semester in residence
• a meeting during the third semester
• the oral exam portion of the Qualifying Examination during the fourth semester
• annual meetings in the third and fourth years
• a meeting 3 to 6 months prior to the expected defense date
• the dissertation defense

At Research Advisory Committee meetings, each student should present research progress to the committee and provide plans for future research projects. At least once per year each student must also present a current Professional Development Plan (section 9) to the committee. Following the committee meeting, an assessment will be provided as described in Section 2.5

Graduate students may receive progress assessments from (i) the EEPS faculty, (ii) the Research Advisory Committee, (iii) the Major Advisor. These assessments will be copied to the EEPS office and filed as part of each individual student’s record.

(i) During a student’s first four semesters in the program, the full EEPS faculty is responsible for evaluating the student’s overall progress, conducting this evaluation at least after each semester. The faculty will consider course performance, research performance, and performance in mentored teaching. These evaluations are based on the transcript and on appraisals from the First-Year Advisor, Major Advisor, Research Advisory Committee, course instructors, instructors for mentored teaching experiences, and other faculty members. A letter summarizing the EEPS faculty evaluation is provided to each student from the Director of Graduate Studies, no later than two weeks following the evaluation.

(ii) After the end of the fourth semester, the Research Advisory Committee bears primary responsibility for evaluating a student’s overall progress, and should conduct an evaluation at least once a year, generally following a committee meeting with the student. A letter summarizing key observations and recommendations made by the committee is provided to each student from the Major Advisor, no later than two weeks following the committee meeting.

(iii) Each student will receive an additional letter following the Qualification Examination, detailing examination performance and areas for improvement.

(iv) Additional assessments of student progress may be performed if the Major Advisor, Research Advisory Committee, or the EEPS faculty determine that it is necessary. If a student shows poor academic performance (Section 10.2) the faculty may recommend that the student be placed on academic probation or advised to leave the program.

For a course to fulfill graduate course or credit requirements, it must be taken at the 5000 level or higher. Courses may be taken below the 5000 level where appropriate for a student’s educational needs, but such courses will not count towards full-time enrollment status, towards credit requirements for graduation, or towards course requirements for the A.M. or Ph.D. degrees.

EEPS 5920 and 5950 do not fulfill course requirements but may be counted towards credit requirements. EEPS 5900 may fulfill course requirements with the approval of the EEPS Graduate Studies Committee. To count towards degree requirements, courses taken outside the department must be at the 5000 level or higher and in the areas of science, mathematics, or engineering.

During the first semester, each EEPS graduate student must enroll in 1 credit of EEPS 5950 (First Year Seminar). During the second semester, each EEPS graduate student must enroll in 3 or more credits of EEPS 5920 (Research). A student may be required to enroll in specific additional courses deemed necessary by the Research Advisory Committee or the EEPS Faculty.

During the first four semesters, students should enroll in exactly 12 credits each semester. This total reflects credits from regular subject courses, seminars, and research credits. Students typically enroll in 3 or more credits of EEPS 5920 (Research) each semester.

Following the Qualifying Examination, students should not enroll in EEPS 5920. To maintain full-time status, these students should enroll in LGS 9000 in each semester of the third through fifth year in residence. LGS 9000 confers full-time status with zero credits.

Other enrollment rules apply to students who are beyond the fifth year or who are not in residence. Students in these or other special situations should contact the Director of Graduate Studies prior to enrollment.

Ph.D. students generally earn an A.M. after the fourth semester. To complete the A.M. degree in EEPS, students must complete a total of 6 courses, at least 4 of which must be in EEPS. Students must also complete at least 30 credits at this level.

Completion of the A.M. also requires that students maintain satisfactory academic progress; spend at least one academic year enrolled full-time at Washington University; and pass an examination that tests competence in the field of study (see Qualifying Examination, Section 5). All A.M. degree candidates must apply for program completion to be eligible for degree conferral.

For the Ph.D. degree in EEPS, students must complete a total of 8 courses, at least 5 of which must be in EEPS. Students must also complete at least 36 credits at this level. Courses completed as part of the A.M. degree in this program will apply towards fulfilling these course and credit requirements.

Students with a master’s degree in Earth, environmental, or planetary sciences or a related field may petition to waive up to two of the five required EEPS courses. Petitions, submitted no earlier than the second semester, must demonstrate that the student has taken substantially similar coursework, and be endorsed by the Research Advisory Committeebefore review by the Director of Graduate Studies and approval by the Graduate Studies Committee.

In addition to coursework, completion of the Ph.D. requires students to: maintain satisfactory academic progress; successfully pass the Qualifying Examination; spend at least one academic year enrolled full-time at Washington University; complete the Mentored Teaching requirement; perform research; and write, defend, and submit a dissertation. All Ph.D. degree candidates must apply for program completion to be eligible for degree conferral.

During the first semester in the program, each student should identify a research topic in consultation with the Major Advisor (if selected) or the First-year Advisor. Students are encouraged but not required to enroll in EEPS 5920 (Research) during the first semester in the program.

During the second semester, each student is required to enroll a minimum of 3 credits of EEPS 5920 (Research) under the supervision of the Major Advisor. Each student will perform research that forms the basis of the first-year research report.

The first-year research report consists of a written report on the research project and is due on the last day of the final exam period of the second semester in residence. It must be submitted to the Research Advisory Committee with a copy to the Department office.

The first-year research report should summarize the results from research already completed and propose work to be completed during the first summer. This report should contain three sections: i) Background: a literature review and summary of the research scope, context, approach, and preliminary results obtained during the first two semesters. This background section should be no more than 5000 words; ii) Summer Workplan: this section should be a brief workplan for the research that will occur during the first summer. This section may include analytical and data analysis methods to be employed, and an evaluation of possible outcomes. This section should be no more than an additional 1500 words; iii) References: a list of all references cited.

The first-year research report will be reviewed by the student’s Research Advisory Committee and be considered during the faculty assessment of the student (Section 2.5).

Students are expected to perform research full-time in the summer after the first year in the program. Summer research should be guided by the work proposed in the report produced at the end of the first semester.

Each student must submit a progress update to the Research Advisory Committee, with a copy to the Department office, by September 30 if the third semester is in the fall or by February 28 if the third semester is in the spring. This update should be under 500 words and provide a brief evaluation of the work completed since the first-year report, including summer activities. This update must be submitted to the Research Advisory Committee with a copy to the Department office.

Students should continue carrying out research during the second year in residence. Each student should plan regular meetings with the Major Advisor and provide updates to the Research Advisory Committee. Students are encouraged to present a Department brown bag during the fall of the second year in preparation for the Qualifying Examination

Each student must complete the Qualifying Examination by their fourth semester in residence. The deadline is April 30 for students completing their fourth semester in the spring, and November 30 for those completing it in the fall. Completion of the Qualifying Examination includes both the written document, which is due one week before the oral examination, and the oral examination itself. Each student is responsible for scheduling the dates for completion of the Qualifying Examination.

The Qualifying Examination Committee will consist of the Research Advisory Committee plus one additional member. The committee will be chaired by the Major Advisor and must include three members of the EEPS faculty. The fourth member may be another member of the EEPS faculty, a Washington University faculty member from a different department or university, or a scientist from a research institution. The fourth member of the Qualification Examination Committee does not become a member of the Research Advisory Committee unless added by the Research Advisory Committee form.

The written document for the Qualifying Examination will usually be in the format of a research paper written in a style appropriate for submission to a scientific journal. Students should consult with their Major Advisor for specific format requirements. In some cases, with approval from the Major Advisor and Research Advisory Committee, the student may elect to instead submit a document in the format of a research proposal. The written document must be distributed to the entire teaching and research faculty of EEPS no later than one week prior to the oral examination.

The oral examination consists of a student presentation followed by committee questioning on research and related topics. It evaluates the student’s ability to demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, to present and defend research, and justify the context, methods, and significance of the completed and proposed work.

The Oral Examination has two purposes:

i) it is an examination to test competence in the field of study. This is a requirement for a student to obtain an A.M. degree.

ii) it is an examination to test the student’s readiness to advance to candidacy in the Ph.D. program.

Details about the oral exam portion of the Qualifying Examination are provided here. The examination is closed to the public, students, faculty, and staff. However, EEPS faculty members who are not part of the Qualifying Examination Committee may attend if they provide a minimum of three days advance notice to both the student and the Research Advisory Committee Chair. Faculty members who are present may ask questions during the exam, but must leave the room when the student is dismissed for private committee deliberations and do not vote on the exam outcome.

At the conclusion of the questioning, the Qualifying Examination Committee will deliberate privately to determine the exam outcomes, considering the student’s overall performance on both the written and oral portions. The committee will determine:

• Whether the student has demonstrated sufficient competence in the field to earn an A.M.-level pass thereby completing the requirement for the A.M.

• Whether the student has demonstrated sufficient level of readiness to earn a Ph.D.-level pass and advance to Ph.D. candidacy.

A passing decision on each determination requires the agreement of at least three of the four committee members. Students may pass both determinations, only the A.M.-level determination, or neither determination.

After the examination, the Major Advisor, in consultation with the Qualifying Examination committee, will complete the Qualifying Exam form. Following the exam, they will prepare a brief written summary outlining the examination outcome and identifying areas for improvement. This summary must be provided to the student as described in Section 2.5.

A student who attempts but does not achieve a Ph.D.-level pass on the first attempt at the Qualifying Examination is eligible for a retake, provided that the student was in good academic standing at the time of the initial examination. Students on academic probation at the time of the Qualifying Examination are ineligible for a retake. Students in good standing who attempt only the A.M.-level exam are also ineligible for a retake.

A student in good standing who fails either determination on a Qualifying Examination is automatically placed on Academic Probation for 90 days. The written summary provided to the student after the examination (Section 2.5) must clearly outline the deficiencies that must be addressed for the student to pass the retake. A retake is optional. If the student elects not to retake the exam, the outcome of the first examination will stand.

The student must retake the Qualifying Examination within the probationary period. The retake includes both a revised written document and a retake of the oral exam, though the Qualifying Examination Committee may modify or waive the written document requirements. If a revised written document is required for the second Qualifying Examination, it must be distributed one week before the oral exam retake but need only be sent to the Qualifying Examination Committee and to any other faculty who attended the first oral examination.

The possible outcomes for the Qualifying Exam Retake are the same as those in Section 5.5, except that a student who previously earned an A.M.-level pass will not be reevaluated for it. A student who does not achieve a Ph.D.-level pass on the retake will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program.

Ph.D. candidates must make timely progress toward degree completion by conducting research and producing scholarly work that demonstrates mastery of the field of knowledge. Students must meet annually with the Research Advisory Committee.

Dissertation requirements are provided by the Office of Graduate Studies. Each student must complete the Title, Scope, and Procedure form, which must be approved by the Research Advisory Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies. This must be completed at least six months before the degree is expected to be conferred or before the beginning the fifth year of full-time enrollment, whichever is earlier. The Office of the Provost provides information about requirements for the dissertation defense and submission, along with a dissertation template and a dissertation guide.

The Ph.D. dissertation committee examines the student during the defense of the dissertation. This committee consists of at least five members. Normally, this includes the members of the Research Advisory Committee. The Ph.D. dissertation committee must meet the following criteria:

• Three of the five members (or a similar proportion of a larger committee) must be full-time Washington University in St. Louis faculty who are authorized to supervise PhD students and who have appropriate expertise in the proposed field of study. One of these three members must be the PhD student's primary thesis advisor, and one may be a member of the emeritus faculty.
• All other committee members must be active in research/scholarship and have appropriate expertise in the proposed field of study whether at Washington University in St. Louis, at another university, in government, or in industry.
• At least one of the five members must bring expertise outside of the student's field of study to the committee, as judged by the EEPS Graduate Studies Committee and approved by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Each student must file a Dissertation Defense Committee form as far in advance of the defense as possible, and no later than 30 days in advance. The dissertation defense committee is normally the Research Advisory Committee plus two other members. The two additional members of the dissertation defense committee are not part of the Research Advisory Committee unless they have been added via the Research Advisory Committee form.

Each student is required to make the full text of the dissertation available to the committee members for their review at least two weeks before the dissertation defense. Failure to provide the completed dissertation two weeks ahead of the defense will require rescheduling the defense. Rules on committee quorum and other dissertation defense requirements are outlined at the Office of Graduate Studies Degree Requirements page and in the University Bulletin.

The dissertation defense includes a public presentation followed by a private examination. The public presentation focuses on the dissertation and its relevance to the student’s field of expertise. Audience questions are allowed at the discretion of the committee chair. Following the public presentation, the dissertation defense committee examines the student in private. The committee will then deliberate and vote on the outcome of the defense, following procedures described at the Office of Graduate Studies Degree Requirements page and in the University Bulletin. The outcome is registered via the Examination Approval form.

After the successful defense of the dissertation, the student must submit an electronic copy of the dissertation online to the university by the established deadline for the graduation term. Dissertations must be submitted no later than three months after the oral defense of the dissertation. More details can be found at the Office of Graduate Studies Degree Requirements page and in the University Bulletin.

EEPS requires each Ph.D. student to satisfactorily complete two Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs). The first of these is typically assigned during the second or third semester in residence. The second MTE is typically assigned during the fifth or sixth semester in residence. Departures from this MTE schedule requires approval of the Department Chair, Associate Chair, or Director of Graduate Studies.

Prior to participating in the MTE, students are required to attend Graduate Student Mentored Teaching Orientation at the Center for Teaching and Learning. This is offered during first-year orientation and at other times.

During the Mentored Teaching Experience, students will assist in teaching an EEPS course under the supervision of the instructor, engaging in activities such as leading discussions, instructing labs or field exercises, developing course materials, and evaluating student learning. Students must enroll in ASGS 8015 during the MTE.

EEPS does not require Mentored Professional Experiences (MPEs) but does allow students the option of completing one. Students who wish to undertake an MPE should consult with the Major Advisor and then contact the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students are expected to comply with the University Academic and Professional Integrity Policy for Ph.D. Students. Academic integrity violations will be referred to the Office of Graduate Studies for adjudication.  Students should be aware that conviction of violating the academic integrity policy can result in failure of a course or even dismissal from the university.

Each student is expected to maintain satisfactory academic performance as defined by Office of Graduate Studies and EEPS requirements. The Office of Graduate Studies definition of satisfactory academic progress includes:

1. Students are expected to proceed at a pace appropriate to enable them to finish within their program length. No later than the end of the fourth year of full-time graduate study, students are expected to have completed all Ph.D. requirements except for the dissertation.
2. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in courses that count toward their program requirements. Thus, among courses of equal weight, each grade of C must be balanced by at least one A. (Note that plus and minus marks alter the numerical value of a letter grade.)
3. Students are expected not to carry at one time any more than 9 semester hours for which the grades of I (incomplete), X (final examination missed), or N (not submitted yet) are recorded. The Office of Graduate Studies may deny a student with more than 9 unfinished credits permission to register.
4. After four years of full-time graduate study, doctoral students who cannot identify three faculty members who are willing to serve on their Research Advisory Committee are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. The Title, Scope, and Procedure form must be filed before the 5th year in order to identify membership of the student's Research Advisory Committee.

In addition to this definition, EEPS imposes the following requirements:

• For the purpose of the GPA requirement, courses that count toward the program requirements are those that are defined in sections 3.4 and 3.5 of this document
• Students are expected to achieve a grade of B- or better in all courses that count towards the GPA requirement. Extreme academic underperformance (two grades of C or lower; three or more unfinished courses in a semester) may be grounds for immediate dismissal.
• Students must attempt take the Qualifying Examination by the deadline defined in sections 5.1 of this document, and must successfully complete the Qualifying Examination by the deadline defined in section 5.1 or the deadline defined in 5.6
• Students must have a qualified Major Advisor, as defined in Section 2.1, throughout the program.
• Beginning with the start of the second semester in residence, students must maintain a Research Advisory Committee as defined in section 2.3.
• Students are expected to make timely progress towards degree completion through the conduct of scientific research and the production of scholarly work (for example, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations) at the level of excellence expected of a Washington University PhD.
• Students must complete the first-year project, first year summer research, and the second-year research update by the deadlines described in Section 4 of this document.
• Students are expected to maintain a regular and professional work schedule and to communicate regularly with their Major Advisor
• Students are expected to complete all Mentored Teaching experiences with a grade of Satisfactory (S).
• Students are expected to hold a meeting at least once per academic year (July 1 – June 30) with the Research Advisory Committee and provide a research update and a professional development plan. The student must document the meeting by filing the appropriate paperwork in the EEPS office.
• Students are expected to participate in the EEPS intellectual community, including regular attendance at EEPS academic activities such as colloquium, brownbag, and other research events. Students in exceptional circumstances that would prevent this should discuss it with their Major Advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress may be put on probation or, in rare cases, face dismissal as described in the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences Policy on Probation and Dismissal for Academic Reasons. A student may be placed on academic probation only by a vote of the EEPS faculty during the academic year, by recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee during the summer, or by a condition that imposes an automatic probation (e.g. failure of the Qualification Examination, failure to have a Major Advisor, failure after the start of the second semester to have a Research Advisory Committee).