IX. Recommended schedules

Recommended schedule for M.S. Degree in Geological Sciences

First semester:

  • Graduate seminar (Geol 790)                                         
  • Select Thesis advisor                                                   
  • Discuss program of study with Thesis advisor                  
  • Discuss possible thesis topics with Thesis advisor
  • Begin thesis research 

Second semester:

  • Graduate seminar (Geol 790)
  • Select Advisory/Examining committee
  • Prepare thesis proposal
  • Comprehensive exam (GEOL 795). Hold first committee meeting to defend proposal and obtain approval for Program of Study from committee.
  • Submit Program of Study to Graduate School

Third semester

  • Complete 3/4 of classes
  • Discuss thesis outline with Thesis advisor. Write introductory and background sections of thesis. 
  • Go to Graduate School website and familiarize yourself with upcoming deadlines to apply for graduation and submit notice of completion.

Fourth Semester:

  • Graduate Seminar Geol 790
  • Complete all classes for MS degree
  • Submit rough draft of thesis text to advisor early in semester
  • Wrap up thesis research early in semester
  • Circulate thesis draft to committee, allowing sufficient time for their review (usually 3 weeks minimum). 
  • Apply for graduation
  • Schedule final defense with committee once draft is approved.
  • Present public thesis defense and revise thesis as necessary.
  • Obtain signatures on notice of completion and turn in with thesis by deadline posed on the Graduate School web site.

Recommended schedule for Ph.D. Degree in Geological Sciences (entering with M.S.)

First semester

  • Graduate seminar (Geol 790)
  • Select Dissertation advisor 
  • Discuss program of study with Dissertation advisor
  • Discuss possible Dissertation topics with advisor
  • Select additional departmental members for Advisory/Examining committee

Second semester:

  • Finish selecting Advisory/Examining committee
  • Prepare dissertation proposal outline and draft
  • Hold committee meeting: pass qualifying exam, review classes with committee.

Third semester:                                                             

  • Continue class work
  • Dissertation research (begin during prior summer)
  • Complete outline and draft of dissertation proposal.

Fourth Semester:

  • Complete class work 
  • Pass written and oral comprehensive exam
  • Apply for Candidacy 
  • Continue dissertation research
  • Submit Program of Study to graduate school

Fifth semester:                                                              

  • Wrap up research
  • Begin writing introductory sections of dissertation
  •  Begin circulating rough drafts of dissertation to advisor 
  • Go to Graduate School web site and familiarize yourself with upcoming deadlines to apply for graduation and submit notice of completion.

Sixth Semester:

  •    Circulate draft of dissertation to advisor early in semester. (Allow 3 weeks for review)
  •    Circulate revised draft to committee (allow 3 to 4 weeks for review)
  •    Apply for graduation 
  •    Schedule final oral exam (defense) with committee.
  •    Public presentation of thesis and defend to committee, revise dissertation as necessary
  •    Submit a draft of dissertation at time of defense to department Chair. 
  •    Obtain signatures on notice of completion and turn in with thesis by deadline posed on the Graduate School web site.

Recommended schedule for Ph.D. Degree in Geological Sciences (entering without M.S.)

First semester:

  • Graduate seminar (Geol 790)                                         
  • Select Dissertation advisor                                            
  • Discuss program of study with Dissertation advisor
  • Discuss possible Dissertation topics with advisor 

Second semester:

  • Select Advisory/Examining committee
  • Prepare qualifying exam proposals
  • Hold first committee meeting, pass qualifying exam

Third semester:                                                             

  • Dissertation research
  • Continue class work

Fourth Semester:

  • Continue dissertation research
  • Prepare dissertation proposal

Fifth semester:                                                              

  • Continue dissertation research
  • Complete class work 
  • Pass written and oral comprehensive exam
  • Apply for Candidacy

Sixth Semester:

  • Complete residency requirement
  • Wrap up dissertation research.
  • Begin writing introductory sections of dissertation.
  • Depending on progress on your research topic, continue with coursework and thesis credits until prepared to proceed. Note the expectation for time to completion for a PhD without an MS is a maximum of 5 to 6 years.

Seventh semester:

  • Wrap up dissertation research
  • Circulate draft of dissertation to advisor (Allow 3 weeks for review) 
  • Go to Graduate School web site and familiarize yourself with upcoming deadlines to apply for graduation and submit notice of completion. 

Eighth semester:.

  • Circulate revised draft to committee (allow 3 to 4 weeks for review)
  • Apply for graduation
  • Schedule final oral exam (defense) with committee Post public announcement of your defense a minimum of 1 week in advance and choose a room that will hold a sufficient public audience (30+ people)
  • Public presentation of thesis and defend to committee, revise dissertation as necessary 
  • Submit a draft of dissertation at time of defense to department Chair.
  • Obtain signatures on notice of completion and turn in with thesis by deadline posed on the Graduate School web site.

Table of contents

I. Introduction

II. Graduate program director

III. General University and Departmental Requirements for an Advanced Degree at the University of Nevada, Reno

IV. Departmental Requirements for a M.S. Degree

V. Departmental Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

VI. Graduate School Requirements

VII. Theses and Dissertations

VIII. Requirements for specific degree programs Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering

IX. Recommended schedules

X. A final word