ARLRPHD - Arid Lands Resource Sciences

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CURRICULUM

Total Credits Required by the Graduate College

Credits beyond Masters Degree: 36*

Dissertation Credits: 18

Credits Required for Minor: 9 – 15* (varies by Department/Program)

Minimum: 63 – 69

* Graduate College policy requires that at least ½ (one-half) of these units receive a letter grade of A, B or C.

CORE CURRICULUM

The common core curriculum provides a base from which all students can proceed to more detailed studies in their selected areas of research interests. The core curriculum required of all students consists of 16 (sixteen) units in the following courses. NOTE: A grade of A, B, S or P must be received in all core curriculum.

Course # Title Units

ARL 564 The Arid and Semiarid Lands 3

ARL 565 Physical Aspects of Arid Lands 3

ARL 595a Arid Lands Current Research 1 X 4**

ARL 641 Natural & Human Impacts on Arid Lands 3

ARL 642 Use and Management of Arid Lands 3

**1 (one) unit per semester for a minimum of 4 (four) semesters.

DISSERTATION UNITS

Registration for the 18 (eighteen) required dissertation units (ARL 920) should be spread over the period actual research is being conducted. The oral and written comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed prior to registration of ARL 920 units unless prior approval has been granted by the major advisor and/or the Program Chair. Failure to successfully complete the comprehensive examinations may cause a lapse in eligibility for registration of dissertation units.

ANTH631 (3 credits), ENVS596B (3 credits), GEOG696O (3 credits), RNR526A (3 credits), RNR541A (3 credits), RNR576 (3 credits), RNR580 (3 credits), RNR582 (3 credits), and RNR596G (3 credits).  Alternative classes may supplement these elective classes with prior approval by the ALRS Chairperson, upon the recommendation of the Major Advisor of the student. 

Research Methodology Requirement

ALRS students are required to take at least one research methodology course relevant to the student’s research.  An appropriate research methodology course should be identified during the student’s Qualifying Exam or Plan of Study.

Language requirement

Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language. This may be demonstrated by:

1.   By passing a departmental proficiency examination.

2.   Student may also present a transcript showing a grade of "B" or better in a fourth semester (undergraduate) course in a foreign language taken at an accredited college or university.

A student whose native language is not English may offer English to satisfy the foreign language requirements.

Dissertation Units

Registration for the 18 (eighteen) required dissertation units (ARL 920) should be spread over the period during which the actual research is being conducted.  The oral and written comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed prior to registration of ARL 920 units unless prior approval has been granted by the major advisor and/or the Program Chair.  Failure to successfully complete the comprehensive examinations may cause a lapse in eligibility for registration of dissertation units. 

Only ARL 920 is valid for dissertation units.  This course may be repeated for unlimited unit(s) or unlimited completion(s). Any research NOT related to the dissertation can receive credit under ARL 900.

Doctoral Minor Program Requirements

Students from other disciplines can elect to complete a doctoral minor program in ALRS.  The requirements for the ALRS minor degree are participation in ARL 564, 565, 641 and 642.  (These requirements can be modified based upon prior experience and course work if approved by the minor advisor and ALRS Department Chair).

The written comprehensive examination is given by the two minor faculty members selected for the student’s graduate committee.  Both members are required to participate in the written and oral comprehensive examination.  The minor committee members should review the dissertation and are expected to participate in the final defense.  The members of the minor should be faculty members of ALRS, but on a case-by-case basis we can substitute other tenure-track faculty with prior approval by the Chairperson in consultation with the student’s major advisor.  Also, continuing eligible faculty can be permitted to serve on committees with prior approval but they cannot serve as major advisors

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR DEGREE IN ALRS

Students from other disciplines can elect to complete a doctoral minor program in ALRS.  The requirements for the ALRS minor degree are participation in ARL 564, 565, 641 and 642.  (These requirements can be modified based upon prior experience and course work if approved by the minor advisor and ALRS Department Chair).

The written comprehensive examination is given by the two minor faculty members selected for the student’s graduate committee.  Both members are required to participate in the written and oral comprehensive examination.  The minor committee members should review the dissertation and are expected to participate in the final defense.  The members of the minor should be faculty members of ALRS, but on a case-by-case basis we can substitute other tenure-track faculty with prior approval by the Chairperson in consultation with the student’s major advisor.  Also, continuing eligible faculty can be permitted to serve on committees with prior approval but they cannot serve as major advisors

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.