Program Overview

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Introduction to the Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS) Program

The Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS) program at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Earth and planets, including their origin, constitution, and development. The program aims to train students for future employment in academic research, government, and industry.

Aims and Scope of the Graduate Program

The graduate program in GPS is focused on providing students with broad training in the fundamental sciences, enriched by more specialized coursework within the division. Students are encouraged to work with complex and often incomplete data sets, to undertake research in natural settings, and to use the many modern laboratory facilities available within the division. Programs of study and research are pursued in environmental science and engineering, geobiology, geochemistry, geology, geophysics, and planetary science.

Admission and Entrance Procedures

Only students who intend to work full-time toward the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree are admitted. The admission process follows Institute regulations. International students are expected to read, write, and speak English and comprehend the spoken language. They may be required to demonstrate a strong capability in English prior to admission to Caltech.

GPS Master's Degree

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program may be awarded a master's degree when they have satisfied the basic Institute requirement of 135 units. These courses must be part of a plan of study approved by the option representative, numbered 100 or higher, and part of those used to satisfy the Ph.D. requirement in one of the options of the division.

GPS Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Division Requirements

For a Ph.D. degree, the student must pass the qualifying oral examination, satisfy course requirements of the division and of an option, and complete a thesis and successfully defend it in a final oral examination. Recommendation to the dean of graduate studies for admission to candidacy occurs after the student has satisfied the first two requirements and has been accepted for thesis research by a division faculty member.

Basic Division Course Requirement

During the first year, every graduate student will take two of the seven basic introductory courses in areas in which the student has not had substantial training. These should be completed during the first year. Throughout their graduate careers, students are expected to attend departmental seminars and seminar courses led by visiting scientists.

GPS Requirements of the Major Subject Options

Geobiology

• Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in geobiology must successfully complete a minimum of 90 units at the 100 or greater level, including Ge 104; either Bi/Ch 110, Bi/CNS/NB 195, or Ge/ESE 118; and two courses from each of the following three subject menus:
  • Ge 106, 112, 114 ab, 124 ab, Ge/ESE 125
  • Ge/ESE 143, 149, Ge 140 ab, ESE/Ge/Ch 171, 172, ESE/Ch 175
  • ESE/Bi 166, 168, Ge/ESE/Bi 178, Bi 117, ESE 103
• A student with substantial prior experience in geobiology may use prior course work to substitute up to 45 of these units with the approval of the geobiology option representative.

Geochemistry

• Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in geochemistry are required to take one term of Ge 109 in the geochemistry option and are required to demonstrate an understanding of the field through a total of 90 units of course work at the 100 level or higher spread over four of the subdisciplines offered in the option.
• A grade of C- or better is required for all course work that satisfies these requirements.
• All students must have a basic knowledge of chemistry at the level of Ch 21 and mathematics at the level of Ge 108.

Geology

• The geology option requirements are:
  • Two of Ge 102, 103, 104, or ESE 101, ESE 102, ESE 103
  • 36 units of advanced field geology, in the form of three terms of Ge 121 abc taken from three different instructors
  • 54 additional units in 100- or 200-level science, math, or engineering courses in any field at Caltech
• A grade of C- or better is required for all course work that satisfies these requirements.

Geophysics

• Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in geophysics must successfully complete the following:
  • Two of the following basic introductory courses: Ge 101, 103, 104, or ESE 101–103
  • One term of Ge 109 per year from the second year until the last year prior to obtaining the degree
  • Either Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab, APh 105 ab, MS 115, or a subject equivalent
  • Three of Ge 161, Ge 162, Ge 163, or Ge 164
  • Ge 111 ab
  • The choice between five additional 100- or 200-level science or mathematics courses or a minor in any field at Caltech

Planetary Science

• Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in planetary science must satisfy the following course requirements:
  • Ge 101, Ge 102
  • Courses in planetary formation and dynamics (Ge/Ay 133), planetary atmospheres (Ge/ESE 150), planetary interiors (Ge 131), and planetary surfaces (Ge 151)
  • 45 units of 100-level or higher courses in a coherent field of specialization
• A grade of C- or better is required for all course work that satisfies these requirements.

GPS Subject Minor

A student may, with the approval of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, elect a minor in any one of the major subjects listed above. Such a subject minor will include at least 45 units in courses at the 100 level or higher. Normally, a member of the division faculty affiliated with the minor will participate in the student's oral thesis defense.