2019-2020 Graduate Catalog
Physics PhD, Planetary Sciences Track
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Track Description
The goal of the Planetary Sciences Track of the Physics PhD program is to foster a vibrant planetary science research environment that can attract top students, researchers, and faculty and contribute significantly to the exploration of space. The Planetary Sciences track is designed to prepare students to be competitive in the global planetary sciences research community. Curriculum
Total Credit Hours Required: 72 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree. 42 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master’s Degree.
This includes completion of 6 required courses (18 credit hours), 5 elective courses (15 credit hours) of regular course work, and a minimum of 15 credit hours of dissertation. Courses must be selected so that at least 36 of the 72 hours are at 6000 level or higher. No more than 12 hours of independent study may be credited toward the PhD degree. The PhD includes a Candidacy Exam to be taken after the completion of the core and elective courses, a written dissertation, and a dissertation defense before the student’s Dissertation Advisory Committee. All courses must be selected in consultation with and with the approval of the Supervisory Committee (before candidacy) or Dissertation Advisory Committee (after candidacy).
Required Courses: 18 Credit Hours
The core is designed to give students a broad foundation in the planetary sciences and a rapid training in the data analysis techniques that will be necessary for a successful research and publications. Elective Courses: 15 Credit Hours
Students may enroll in elective formal courses relevant to their program, as approved by their Supervisory Committees. Suggestions include:
Other Electives: 24 Credit Hours
This may include any form of graduate credit not used for other requirements and consistent with restriction state elesewhere in the program.
Dissertation: 15 Credit Hours
- AST or PHY 7980 - Dissertation 15 Credit Hours
Supervisory Committee
Within the first half-semester of admission to the Planetary Sciences Track, each student must select, by mutual agreement, a faculty adviser and at least two other faculty members to serve on the Supervisory Committee. UCF graduae faculty and UCF self-funded research scientists who are Graduate Faculty Scholars are eligible to serve on Supervisory Committees. Creation of and changes in the membership of a Supervisory Committee must be approved by the Planetary Sciences Graduate Committee. The adviser is expected to meet regularly with the student. The full committee shall meet with the student at least once per year to review and make recommendations regarding the student’s academic progress.
Candidacy Examination
The Planetary Sciences Track requires a Candidacy Exam to be taken after the completion of the core courses. This examination is composed of written and oral components. The written component is a journal-level research paper. The oral component has two parts: (1) A public presentation of the research contained in the paper, including the traditional question-and-answer period of a scientific presentation; and (2) private questioning on the detail of the presented research as well as the topics covered in the student’s preparation, coursework and likely disseration direction. The Supervisory Committee administers the Candidacy Examination.
Dissertation Advisory Committee
After passing the Candidacy Examination, a non-UCF member shall be added to the Supervisory Committee by mutual agreement of the student and Supervisory Committee. This becomes the Dissertation Advisory Committee. The committee continues to meet with the student annually.
Dissertation Proposal
The dissertation proposal may be presented immediately after the Candidacy Examination or in a separate meeting not more than one semester thereafter. Before substantial work is done on the Dissertation Advisory Committee must approve the proposal and must also assess whether additional coursework is necessary to begin the dissertation. Such coursework should be completed at the earliest opportunity and before substantial work is done on the dissertation. If the committee does not accept the proposal, it may be resubmitted and re-defended at any time, but no later than three months after the last attempt. If not accepted within one year of the Candidacy Examination the committee may, at its option, discontinue the student from the program.
Admission to Candidacy
The following are required to be admitted to candidacy and enroll in dissertation hours:
- Completion of all required and formal elective course work, except for research hours.
- Successful completion of the Candidacy Examination.
- The Dissertation Advisory Committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars.
- Submittal of an approved program of study.
- Completion of CITI and RCR Workshops.
Dissertation Defense
The dissertation defense is the final requirement for the PhD. It consists of a public presentation of the dissertation, typically lasting 45-60 minutes including the traditional question-and-answer period of a scientific presentation, followed by private questioning by the Dissertation Advisory Committee. Procedures are similar to the Candidacy Examination.
Independent Learning
A dissertation is required.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements , applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Statement of goals.
- Students entering the Planetary Sciences graduate track program with regular status are normally expected to have completed coursework generally required for a bachelor’s degree in a closely related science field such as physics, astronomy, geology, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, chemistry, biology, mathematics or planetary sciences.
- CV or Résumé.
Additional courses may also be required to correct any course deficiencies for those applicants without full preparation in physics and astronomy. Students should contact the graduate program director for further information.
Current students in the existing Physics graduate program wishing to switch to the Planetary Sciences track must submit a letter to the Planetary Science Graduate Committee addressed to Dr. Dan Britt. The letter should include the request to join the planetary sciences track, the student’s degree goal (Masters or PhD), the name of the student’s planetary sciences adviser, and a brief description of their expected area of research. Upon departmental approval, a Graduate Status Change Form will be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on the evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant’s career/academic goals, and the applicant’s potential for completing the degree. For information on the Planetary Sciences track contact the Planetary Sciences Graduate Advisor Dr. Dan Britt at 407-823-2600 or dbritt@ucf.edu.
Application Deadlines
| Planetary Sciences |
*Fall Priority |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
| Domestic Applicants |
Jan 15 |
July 1 |
Dec 1 |
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| International Applicants |
Jan 15 |
Jan 15 |
Jul 1 |
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| *Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date. |
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource. Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
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