Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Graduate Program Guidelines
Updated May 2021
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, like Syracuse University as a whole, is built around the two central goals of research and teaching. In order to fulfill this mission, graduate students gain experience and expertise in three areas integral to the degree program: 1) Research—formulating and carrying out new and independent research; 2) Communication—written and oral dissemination of results, including the ability to create posters, give talks, write abstracts, papers and proposals; 3) Teaching—most students will teach a recitation or lab, maybe even a lecture course, at least once during their time at SU. All three of these skills are critical to a career in the geosciences, whether you stay in academia or go on to industry. Even if you choose a field that does not directly involve teaching, everyone benefits from the ability to present information in a logical manner and develop a coherent argument that comes from teaching experience. Other attributes that are important during your time as a graduate student are the ability to network with other scientists in your area of expertise.
We strongly encourage you to retain a copy of each form that you complete. In addition, the Department keeps a student record for each student. It is essential that you send the Academic Support Coordinator, Heather Thompson (hethomps@syr.edu), a digital copy of any document that you complete as part of your academic endeavor. This is for your protection in case your official files are misfiled or otherwise mishandled.
| Item | Due for Masters | Due for Ph.D. | Where to Send It |
|---|---|---|---|
Check Sheet for Initial Advisory Review To be filled out by student's advisor | Upon Matriculation (see grad program guidelines pages 3-4) | Upon Matriculation (see grad program guidelines pages 3-4) | Automatically submits to Academic Support Coordinator, with yourself and your temporary committee members copied. |
| Formation of Permanent Advisory Committee | By the end of your 2nd semester (see grad program guidelines pages 4-5) | By the end of your 2nd semester (see grad program guidelines pages 4-5) | Automatically submits to Academic Support Coordinator, with yourself and your advisor copied. |
| Annual Report | At the end of each Fall Semester (see grad program guidelines pages 4-5) | At the end of each Fall Semester (see grad program guidelines pages 4-5) | Submit to the DGS and the Academic Support Coordinator copied. |
| DegreeWorks Worksheet | Attach to Annual Report at the end of each Fall Semester (see grad program guidelines page 5) | Attach to Annual Report at the end of (see grad program guidelines page 5) | Must be attached to Annual Report. If you forget to include it, please send to the DGS and earadmin@syr.edu. |
Thesis or Dissertation Proposal | 2nd semester, no later than the start of the 3rd semester (see grad program guidelines pages 7-8) | 4th Semester (see grad program guidelines pages 7-8) | After it has been circulated to the department, if there are no objections, a fully signed digital PDF copy should be submitted to earadmin@syr.edu. |
This form should only be used after a time has been agreed on by your committee. It is internal only and triggers the sending of rubrics to your committee members as well as reserves a space if you require one. | N/A | Entering with MS: No sooner than the beginning of the 3rd semester, and no later than the end of the 4th semester Entering without MS: No sooner than the beginning of the 4th semester, and no later than the end of the 5th semester (see grad program guidelines page 8-9) | Automatically submits to earadmin@syr.edu. |
Before your Thesis or Dissertation Defense, please check | Most items must be submitted no later than | Most items must be submitted no later than 3 weeks prior to your defense. | If you have any questions, please email degreecert@syr.edu. |
Schedule Your Thesis or Dissertation Defense This form should only be used after a time has been agreed on by your committee. It is internal only and triggers the sending of rubrics to your committee members as well as reserves a space if you require one. | Typically in the 4th semester (see grad program guidelines pages 9-11) | Typically in the 8th semester (see grad program guidelines pages 9-11) | Automatically submits to earadmin@syr.edu. |