Program Overview

Marine, Atmospheric, and Sustainability Sciences, PhD

Overview

The Ph.D. program offered by the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) is designed to prepare students to independently identify and approach problems in marine sciences, atmospheric sciences, and sustainability. It builds on a series of core required courses by allowing students to create their own plan of advanced study, helping them to become independent problem solvers.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a B.A. or B.S. with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B)
• Acceptable scores on the TOEFL (paper: 600, computer: 230, iBT: 90) or IELTS (6.5) for foreign students
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcript(s)
• B.A. or B.S. degree in a discipline related to the intended field of study, or coursework equivalent to such a degree
• At least eight semesters total of some combination of introductory coursework in mathematics, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, sustainability, and/or related disciplines, with more advanced work in at least one of these disciplines
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required; however, we will accept and consider scores for applicants who feel it strengthens their application

Degree Requirements

• Credits Required: 78 if entering without M.S. degree; 72 if entering with M.S. degree
• GPA Requirement: 3.0, both overall and in Core/Foundation courses

Requirements Overview

• Four Core courses (4 credits)
• MAR 670 - Practicum in Teaching (1-3 credits)
• Three Foundation courses (9 credits)
• Five Specialty courses (15 credits)
• MAR 650 - Dissertation Research for PhD (at least 10 credits)
• 21 additional credits of elective coursework for students entering without an M.S. or 15 additional credits for students entering with an M.S.
• MAR 699 - Dissertation Research for G5 (at least 18 credits)
• Oral defense of dissertation
• Submission of approved dissertation

Core Courses (4 credits)

• MAR 527 - Current Issues in Global Climate Change (2 credits)
• MAR 543 - Reading and Proposal Development (1 credit)
• MAR 591 - RCRS and Professional Development (1 credit)
• MAR 580 - Seminar (0 credits), 2 semesters
• OR
• SUS 580 - Research Seminar (0 credits), 2 semesters

Three Foundation courses selected from the following:

• MAR 501 - Physical Oceanography (3 credits)
• MAR 502 - Biological Oceanography (3 credits)
• MAR 503 - Chemical Oceanography (3 credits)
• MAR 504 - Statistics and Experimental Design (3 credits)
• MAR 506 - Geological Oceanography (3 credits)
• MAR 508 - Found Mar Sci 1:Biogeochemical (3 credits)
• MAR 509 - Found Mar Sci 2Physics of Oceans, Atmos, Climate (3 credits)
• MAR 516 - Ecosystem Science for Fisheries Management (3 credits)
• MAR 541 - Foundations of Atmospheric Sciences I (3 credits)
• MAR 542 - Foundations of Atmospheric Sciences II (3 credits)
• MAR 545 - Paleoceonography and Paleoclimatology (3 credits)
• MAR 547 - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I (3 credits)
• SUS 502 - Perspectives on Sustainability (3 credits)

Five Specialty Courses (15 Credits)

These courses may be chosen from among all the regular (3 credit) MAR and SUS graduate courses, including up to 3 credits of MAR 655 - Directed Study for PhD, to best support each student’s academic goals. Additional Foundation courses listed above, as well as courses from outside SoMAS, may also count toward this requirement with approval of the Advisory Committee and Graduate Programs Committee.

Elective Courses (21 credits if entering without M.S., 15 credits if entering with M.S.)

These courses may be chosen from among all Stony Brook graduate courses, including additional credits of MAR 650 - Dissertation Research for PhD.

Preliminary Examination

The primary purpose of the Preliminary Examination, which typically occurs early in the second year of study, is to assess the student’s knowledge of their field and the student’s ability to relate their specific research interests to the broader field.

Dissertation Proposal Examination

After successful completion of the Preliminary Examination, the student prepares a written proposal for the dissertation research project. This proposal has the format of a grant application, including information on the background and significance of the project, a detailed research plan, and any preliminary results that the student has generated that indicate the feasibility of the project.

Advancement to Candidacy

After successful completion of all required and elective courses, the comprehensive (preliminary) examination, and the dissertation proposal examination, the student will be recommended to the Graduate School for advancement to candidacy.

Teaching Practicum Requirement

The goal of the Teaching Practicum is to help Ph.D. students develop the skills necessary to be effective instructors at the university level. The teaching practicum must be completed in a university-level (usually undergraduate) course under the supervision of the faculty member instructing that course, and with registration for at least 1 credit of MAR 670 - Practicum in Teaching.

Residence Requirement

At least two consecutive semesters of full-time graduate study at Stony Brook University in the program granting the degree are required. The purpose of the residence requirement is to ensure that the graduate student participates in the professional life of the program beyond class attendance.