The ESE option focuses on graduate training at the Ph.D. level and incorporates four programmatic themes:
- application of the basic sciences to environmental problems
- study of both natural and engineered systems
- emphasis on fundamental research on biological, chemical, and physical aspects of Earth systems
- examination of processes at scales ranging from molecular to global
The structure of the ESE option is outlined below (a complete description is available in the Caltech Catalog).
Advising
Advising will be provided to ESE students by means of:
- an academic advisor (assigned to each incoming student)
- a research advisor (chosen by mutual agreement of the student and advisor before the end of the student's third term of graduate study)
- a thesis advisory committee (a committee of four faculty including the student's research advisor, to be constituted after the student passes the qualifying examination)
Course Requirements
A minimum of 135 units of graduate course work are required which include:
Required Courses A required year-long seminar course (3 units) and a one-quarter research-based discussion course (6 units) provide exposure to a wide range of topics in ESE and to ESE faculty research. A course in applied mathematics (at least 27 units) is also required for students lacking this preparation. Note that advanced courses in Biology with a stong quantitative component may be substituted in appropriate cases upon petition by the student.
Core Courses Students must take two courses (18 units) in each of the three core areas—environmental chemistry, biology, and physics. Students with substantial preparation in a specific area may be allowed to substitute a more advanced course for a core class; the substituted class must be in the same core area. Click for table of ESE Core Courses.
Elective Courses The remaining units will be fulfilled by elective courses in ESE and related disciplines. Up to 42 units may be taken in reading or research courses.
Qualifying and Candidacy Exams
The Ph.D. qualifying examination must be taken during the first term of the student's second year of residency. This examination consists of an oral defense of two research propositions, supplemented by a written description of one of them. For advancement to candidacy, the student must have completed the courses in his or her program of graduate study and must submit a written thesis proposal for approval by the student's thesis advisory committee; and oral exam may be required at the discretion of the committee. Students are expected to advance to candidacy before the end of the third term of their second year of residency.
Thesis and Final Examination
A final oral examination on the doctoral thesis is required.
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