Climate Dynamics Ph.D. - Timetable
Climate dynamics faculty members believe that it is in the students' best interest to finish their graduate studies expeditiously. For each part-time student, the pace and duration of graduate studies will depend on the individual circumstances of the student. The following timetable applies to full-time students.
It is expected that all full-time students supported by George Mason University funds will take both components of their qualifying examination by the end of two years of course work. All full-time students supported by research funds must pass the exam before the end of three years of support.
The core component of the qualifying examination will normally be given in the month of June. Students who intend to take the core examination should submit a written notification to the chair of the Climate Dynamics Department as soon as they are ready, but not later than March 1 preceding the examination. Students who have requested the examination will be given relevant details of the examination, and a copy of the previous qualifying examination, by the end of March. The specialty component usually will be given after the core component. A student who wishes to take the specialty examination shortly (typically about a week) after the core examination must form a thesis committee at least three months before the core examination. A student who takes the core examination in the second year of study must form the committee no later than two weeks after taking the core exam. In general, the student should form the dissertation committee as early as possible. The chair of the dissertation committee will inform the student of the format of the specialty component by at least two months prior to the specialty examination.
Students must defend their thesis proposals within six months of passing the qualifying examination.
Students will normally be given financial support for no more than five years. Regardless of the source of their financial support, full-time students are encouraged to finish their PhD within five years.
For an exception to any of the requirements discussed above, a student may submit a written request to the Chair of the Climate Dynamics Department.