The Ph.D. dissertation should be a significant contribution to the science of geology, worthy of publication in referred international journals. Geology Ph.D. candidates are required to choose an area of specialization in Geology listed below. Each specialization outlines required courses and provides additional help to design a program. The student's program should be one of, or a combination of not more than two areas. The choice of course options and electives on the program will be based on the student's research interest and needs. Undergraduate pre-requisites must be satisfied for all courses within the selected program, and will not count for graduate credit. It is expected that the Ph.D. degree requirements with previous M.S. degree be completed in three years (full-time enrollment, with assistantship), Ph.D. degree requirements without previous M.S. degree be completed in four years.