Graduate Program Committee. This committee consists of 3 people, some of which are also graduate advisors. They handle almost all graduate affairs on behalf of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate Program (EPSGP). These people also serve as the admissions committee.
Graduate Advisors. There are two graduate advisors in the Earth and Planetary Sciences department, each with about 1/2 of the current graduate students as their primary advisees. The graduate advisors handle progress meetings and sign forms for their advisees. Students can view their graduate advisor assignment on EPSInfo.
Chair of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate Program and Chair of Admission | Michael Oskin
In charge of continuing student matters; assigns TAs; and handles new student orientation, student evaluations. Handles forms/petitions for special circumstances (e.g., PELP, Filing Fee), and is back-up for the other graduate advisors if they are not available.
Faculty Mentor(s), (also known as Faculty Advisor, Thesis/Dissertation Advisor, Major Professor). The Faculty Mentor is the faculty member who provides the primary supervision and guidance of the student in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate Program. They serve as the chair of the Thesis/Dissertation Committee. The Faculty Mentor is expected to meet regularly with the student throughout the year. A list of potential thesis advisors in the EPS Graduate Program.
Graduate Program Coordinator | Mandy Rousseau
Manages administrative and policy matters, forms and petitions, and Graduate Student employment. Email, drop in to room 2119, or make an appointment to meet with her.
Committees. All graduate program committees are detailed in Earth and Planetary Sciences Ph.D. and M.S. Degree Requirements, section 6:
- The Admission Committee reviews graduate program applications and makes recommendations for admission to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
- The Course Guidance and Advising Committee consists of two Graduate Advisors, and administers the Introductory Meeting, Continuing Student Meeting, and Mid-Year Meeting with students.
- The Prospectus Committee meets with first-year students to review their prospectus.
- The Qualifying Exam Committee administers the Qualifying Exam to second-year PhD students.
- The Thesis/Dissertation Committee aka Annual Advisory Committee consists of the student’s Faculty Advisor and two additional members and is responsible for approving the final version of the student’s thesis as well as administering the Annual Advisory Meeting.
For the regulations on who is eligible to serve on a Thesis or Dissertation committee, see the Policy on Service on Advanced Degree Committees and Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate Program Bylaws. Qualifying Exam committee membership is governed by the Graduate Council Policy on Doctoral Qualifying Examinations (GC2005-02).