Enroll-ment of the candidate in research and dissertation courses will complete the remainder of the 60 semester hours. Prior to taking core courses all students are generally expected to have had the equivalent of basic courses in biology, chemistry, physical geology, and calculus, including differential equations. Part-time students must enroll in this seminar a minimum of two times. A maximum of two semester hours of ESE 6107 may be applied towards the degree. Students are required to pass a qualifying examination which will be based on material from the optional ESE core courses, and any leveling courses they may have taken, before they have completed 24 hours of course work.
Students are eligible to sit for the qualifying examination a maximum of two times.
Students are encouraged to begin research germane to their dissertation topic early in their course of study. Within this same period, a Doctoral Advisory Committee must be formed, a dissertation proposal prepared for review and approval by the student's committee, and an abstract of the proposal distributed to the ESE faculty for comment. Students will not be allowed to register for additional course work until these requirements have been met. Prior to enrolling in the dissertation courses, each student will take a comprehensive examination administered by the student's Doctoral Advisory Committee. This examination may be written, oral or both.