Applicable only to students admitted during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose a principal academic adviser. This adviser assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The adviser also serves as the chair for the student’s departmental guidance committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each September when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Dynamic and synoptic meteorology; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work are chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of their second year. Subject to the approval of the student’s guidance committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

In addition to the program of study, all students in the master’s program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an oral comprehensive examination that is administered by the student’s departmental guidance committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded fail, master’s level pass, or Ph.D. level pass. The material within the student’s program of study, especially within the chosen specialization, serves as the basis for this examination. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, either for termination with award of the M.S. degree or for award of the M.S. degree and continuation for the Ph.D. degree. Students must receive a grade of pass (master’s or Ph.D. level) to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. Students must receive a grade of Ph.D. level pass on this examination and have their entire record deemed acceptable for doctoral study by the guidance committee in order to be eligible to continue for the Ph.D. degree.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is graded in the same manner as is the comprehensive examination: fail, master’s level pass, or Ph.D. level pass. A Ph.D. level pass is considered to be sufficient to satisfy the written qualifying examination requirement for the Ph.D. degree (see below). The thesis is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	6	8	12

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose a principal academic adviser. This adviser assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The adviser also serves as the chair for the student’s departmental guidance committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser. The departmental guidance committee is responsible for administering the oral component of the comprehensive examination and, in the case of students who fulfill the written component of the comprehensive examination with a master’s thesis or first authored paper, as evaluators of the thesis or paper. Normally the departmental guidance committee forms the core of the student’s doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each September when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Dynamic and synoptic meteorology; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work are chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of their second year. Subject to the approval of the student’s guidance committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study, and a grade-point average of 3.5 or greater in five of six entry level courses that form the core of the program of study, and the overall program of study.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original series as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered. Subsequent to receiving a B or better for their seminar presentation, doctoral students are encouraged but not required to continue to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science 270.

Regardless of the status of their program of study, full-time students must be enrolled in at least one (three or more units) 200-series course per year prior to receiving the doctoral degree.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the master’s comprehensive examination, which is an oral examination; a written qualifying examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Students are required to complete the master’s comprehensive examination at the Ph.D. level as described above for the master’s degree. This examination is an oral examination based on the student’s program of study, especially within the chosen specialization.

Written Qualifying Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature on a research topic. Normally this ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the end of spring quarter. The examination consists of a written paper in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic chosen for them with their specific research interests in mind. A more specific timeline and evaluation criteria for each year’s examination are made available to students at least two months prior to the examination.  This examination may be taken twice and is administered by a committee of the faculty chosen on a yearly basis for the purpose of administering and grading this examination. The examination is graded pass or not pass. Students who do not pass the examination will receive one of three recommendations: (1) retake the examination the following year; (2) write a master’s thesis and be reconsidered for eligibility to continue for the Ph.D. degree depending on the grade on the thesis; or (3) complete any outstanding requirements for the master’s degree and leave the program.

For students who complete the master’s thesis plan, a Ph.D. level pass on the master’s thesis is considered sufficient to satisfy the written qualifying examination for the Ph.D. degree. On the recommendation of their principal adviser, a student may petition to substitute a first authored paper submitted for publication in a refereed journal for the written qualifying examination. The student’s departmental guidance committee makes the decision on the petition.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	22	32

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination either during the summer at the end of their second year or at the beginning of their third year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental comprehensive examination (or satisfy equivalent requirements) prior to the end of their tenth academic quarter; pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for termination. A student may appeal a recommendation for termination to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose a principal academic adviser. This adviser assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The adviser also serves as the chair for the student’s departmental guidance committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each September when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Dynamic and synoptic meteorology; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work are chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of their second year. Subject to the approval of the student’s guidance committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

In addition to the program of study, all students in the master’s program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an oral comprehensive examination that is administered by the student’s departmental guidance committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded fail, master’s level pass, or Ph.D. level pass. The material within the student’s program of study, especially within the chosen specialization, serves as the basis for this examination. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, either for termination with award of the M.S. degree or for award of the M.S. degree and continuation for the Ph.D. degree. Students must receive a grade of pass (master’s or Ph.D. level) to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. Students must receive a grade of Ph.D. level pass on this examination and have their entire record deemed acceptable for doctoral study by the guidance committee in order to be eligible to continue for the Ph.D. degree.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is graded in the same manner as is the comprehensive examination: fail, master’s level pass, or Ph.D. level pass. A Ph.D. level pass is considered to be sufficient to satisfy the written qualifying examination requirement for the Ph.D. degree (see below). The thesis is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	6	8	12

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose a principal academic adviser. This adviser assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The adviser also serves as the chair for the student’s departmental guidance committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser. The departmental guidance committee is responsible for administering the oral component of the comprehensive examination and, in the case of students who fulfill the written component of the comprehensive examination with a master’s thesis or first authored paper, as evaluators of the thesis or paper. Normally the departmental guidance committee forms the core of the student’s doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each September when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Dynamic and synoptic meteorology; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work are chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of their second year. Subject to the approval of the student’s guidance committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study, and a grade-point average of 3.5 or greater in five of six entry level courses that form the core of the program of study, and the overall program of study.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original series as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered. Subsequent to receiving a B or better for their seminar presentation, doctoral students are encouraged but not required to continue to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science 270.

Regardless of the status of their program of study, full-time students must be enrolled in at least one (three or more units) 200-series course per year prior to receiving the doctoral degree.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the master’s comprehensive examination, which is an oral examination; a written qualifying examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Students are required to complete the master’s comprehensive examination at the Ph.D. level as described above for the master’s degree. This examination is an oral examination based on the student’s program of study, especially within the chosen specialization.

Written Qualifying Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature on a research topic. Normally this ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the end of spring quarter. The examination consists of a written paper in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic chosen for them with their specific research interests in mind. A more specific timeline and evaluation criteria for each year’s examination are made available to students at least two months prior to the examination.  This examination may be taken twice and is administered by a committee of the faculty chosen on a yearly basis for the purpose of administering and grading this examination. The examination is graded pass or not pass. Students who do not pass the examination will receive one of three recommendations: (1) retake the examination the following year; (2) write a master’s thesis and be reconsidered for eligibility to continue for the Ph.D. degree depending on the grade on the thesis; or (3) complete any outstanding requirements for the master’s degree and leave the program.

For students who complete the master’s thesis plan, a Ph.D. level pass on the master’s thesis is considered sufficient to satisfy the written qualifying examination for the Ph.D. degree. On the recommendation of their principal adviser, a student may petition to substitute a first authored paper submitted for publication in a refereed journal for the written qualifying examination. The student’s departmental guidance committee makes the decision on the petition.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	22	32

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination either during the summer at the end of their second year or at the beginning of their third year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental comprehensive examination (or satisfy equivalent requirements) prior to the end of their tenth academic quarter; pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for termination. A student may appeal a recommendation for termination to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose a principal academic adviser. This adviser assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The adviser also serves as the chair for the student’s departmental guidance committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each September when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Dynamic and synoptic meteorology; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work are chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of their second year. Subject to the approval of the student’s guidance committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

In addition to the program of study, all students in the master’s program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an oral comprehensive examination that is administered by the student’s departmental guidance committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded fail, master’s level pass, or Ph.D. level pass. The material within the student’s program of study, especially within the chosen specialization, serves as the basis for this examination. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, either for termination with award of the M.S. degree or for award of the M.S. degree and continuation for the Ph.D. degree. Students must receive a grade of pass (master’s or Ph.D. level) to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. Students must receive a grade of Ph.D. level pass on this examination and have their entire record deemed acceptable for doctoral study by the guidance committee in order to be eligible to continue for the Ph.D. degree.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is graded in the same manner as is the comprehensive examination: fail, master’s level pass, or Ph.D. level pass. A Ph.D. level pass is considered to be sufficient to satisfy the written qualifying examination requirement for the Ph.D. degree (see below). The thesis is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	6	8	12

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose a principal academic adviser. This adviser assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The adviser also serves as the chair for the student’s departmental guidance committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser. The departmental guidance committee is responsible for administering the oral component of the comprehensive examination and, in the case of students who fulfill the written component of the comprehensive examination with a master’s thesis or first authored paper, as evaluators of the thesis or paper. Normally the departmental guidance committee forms the core of the student’s doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each September when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Dynamic and synoptic meteorology; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work are chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of their second year. Subject to the approval of the student’s guidance committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study, and a grade-point average of 3.5 or greater in five of six entry level courses that form the core of the program of study, and the overall program of study.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original series as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered. Subsequent to receiving a B or better for their seminar presentation, doctoral students are encouraged but not required to continue to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science 270.

Regardless of the status of their program of study, full-time students must be enrolled in at least one (three or more units) 200-series course per year prior to receiving the doctoral degree.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the master’s comprehensive examination, which is an oral examination; a written qualifying examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Students are required to complete the master’s comprehensive examination at the Ph.D. level as described above for the master’s degree. This examination is an oral examination based on the student’s program of study, especially within the chosen specialization.

Written Qualifying Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature on a research topic. Normally this ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the end of spring quarter. The examination consists of a written paper in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic chosen for them with their specific research interests in mind. A more specific timeline and evaluation criteria for each year’s examination are made available to students at least two months prior to the examination.  This examination may be taken twice and is administered by a committee of the faculty chosen on a yearly basis for the purpose of administering and grading this examination. The examination is graded pass or not pass. Students who do not pass the examination will receive one of three recommendations: (1) retake the examination the following year; (2) write a master’s thesis and be reconsidered for eligibility to continue for the Ph.D. degree depending on the grade on the thesis; or (3) complete any outstanding requirements for the master’s degree and leave the program.

For students who complete the master’s thesis plan, a Ph.D. level pass on the master’s thesis is considered sufficient to satisfy the written qualifying examination for the Ph.D. degree. On the recommendation of their principal adviser, a student may petition to substitute a first authored paper submitted for publication in a refereed journal for the written qualifying examination. The student’s departmental guidance committee makes the decision on the petition.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	22	32

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination either during the summer at the end of their second year or at the beginning of their third year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental comprehensive examination (or satisfy equivalent requirements) prior to the end of their tenth academic quarter; pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for academic disqualification. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Students admitted to the M.S. are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program. M.S. students interested in transitioning to the Ph.D. program will need to complete the Major/Classification Change petition and have it approved by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Graduate Division.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser are assigned a graduate adviser in the Fall quarter and should consult with this adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the student in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained and published on the website by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to prepare for their specific research area. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an written  examination that is administered by the student’s faculty advising committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded pass or fail and it is designed based on criteria that demonstrate mastery in an area of atmospheric and oceanic sciences through a project in the student’s area of interest. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. The Ph.D. written exam is acceptable as a written M.S. capstone examination. M.S. students who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is assessed by the student’s faculty advising committee and it is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought. M.S. students choosing the Thesis Plan who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	5 (+1 summer term)	6 (+2 summer terms)	9 (+3 summer terms)

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The faculty advising committee is also responsible for administering and assessing the oral and written components of the comprehensive examination to the student. Normally the student’s faculty advising committee forms the core of their doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study. After the written and oral exams (see below), the committee will combine the student’s GPA in the core courses and the letter grades from the written and oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original research as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the departmental written examination; the departmental oral  examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Departmental Written Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature and propose new science questions on a research topic. This ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the beginning of the summer. Students must take this exam at the end of their first year in the program (exceptions may be requested via petition to the Department’s graduate advising committee). The examination consists of a written research proposal in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic of their choice and propose scientific questions, the answers to which would advance the field. The proposal is evaluated by the students’ faculty advising committee, who will provide written comments and a letter grade. Students will have the opportunity to respond to written comments and revise the proposal within 3 months. The revised proposal will be evaluated for a final letter grade. After the oral exam (see below), the committee will combine the grade from the written exam with student’s GPA in the core courses and the grade from the oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research. Students may retake the exam once.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9 (+3 summer terms)	17 (+5 summer terms)	24 (+8 summer terms)

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination before or during the summer at the end of their second year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental oral examination prior to the end of their ninth academic quarter (end of 3rd year) pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for academic disqualification. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Students admitted to the M.S. are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program. M.S. students interested in transitioning to the Ph.D. program will need to complete the Major/Classification Change petition and have it approved by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Graduate Division.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser are assigned a graduate adviser in the Fall quarter and should consult with this adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the student in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained and published on the website by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to prepare for their specific research area. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an written  examination that is administered by the student’s faculty advising committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded pass or fail and it is designed based on criteria that demonstrate mastery in an area of atmospheric and oceanic sciences through a project in the student’s area of interest. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. The Ph.D. written exam is acceptable as a written M.S. capstone examination. M.S. students who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is assessed by the student’s faculty advising committee and it is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought. M.S. students choosing the Thesis Plan who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	5 (+1 summer term)	6 (+2 summer terms)	9 (+3 summer terms)

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The faculty advising committee is also responsible for administering and assessing the oral and written components of the comprehensive examination to the student. Normally the student’s faculty advising committee forms the core of their doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study. After the written and oral exams (see below), the committee will combine the student’s GPA in the core courses and the letter grades from the written and oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original research as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the departmental written examination; the departmental oral  examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Departmental Written Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature and propose new science questions on a research topic. This ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the beginning of the summer. Students must take this exam at the end of their first year in the program (exceptions may be requested via petition to the Department’s graduate advising committee). The examination consists of a written research proposal in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic of their choice and propose scientific questions, the answers to which would advance the field. The proposal is evaluated by the students’ faculty advising committee, who will provide written comments and a letter grade. Students will have the opportunity to respond to written comments and revise the proposal within 3 months. The revised proposal will be evaluated for a final letter grade. After the oral exam (see below), the committee will combine the grade from the written exam with student’s GPA in the core courses and the grade from the oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research. Students may retake the exam once.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9 (+3 summer terms)	17 (+5 summer terms)	24 (+8 summer terms)

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination before or during the summer at the end of their second year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental oral examination prior to the end of their ninth academic quarter (end of 3rd year) pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for academic disqualification. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Students admitted to the M.S. are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program. M.S. students interested in transitioning to the Ph.D. program will need to complete the Major/Classification Change petition and have it approved by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Graduate Division.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser are assigned a graduate adviser in the Fall quarter and should consult with this adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the student in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained and published on the website by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to prepare for their specific research area. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an written  examination that is administered by the student’s faculty advising committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded pass or fail and it is designed based on criteria that demonstrate mastery in an area of atmospheric and oceanic sciences through a project in the student’s area of interest. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. The Ph.D. written exam is acceptable as a written M.S. capstone examination. M.S. students who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is assessed by the student’s faculty advising committee and it is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought. M.S. students choosing the Thesis Plan who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	5 (+1 summer term)	6 (+2 summer terms)	9 (+3 summer terms)

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The faculty advising committee is also responsible for administering and assessing the oral and written components of the comprehensive examination to the student. Normally the student’s faculty advising committee forms the core of their doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study. After the written and oral exams (see below), the committee will combine the student’s GPA in the core courses and the letter grades from the written and oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original research as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the departmental written examination; the departmental oral  examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Departmental Written Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature and propose new science questions on a research topic. This ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the beginning of the summer. Students must take this exam at the end of their first year in the program (exceptions may be requested via petition to the Department’s graduate advising committee). The examination consists of a written research proposal in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic of their choice and propose scientific questions, the answers to which would advance the field. The proposal is evaluated by the students’ faculty advising committee, who will provide written comments and a letter grade. Students will have the opportunity to respond to written comments and revise the proposal within 3 months. The revised proposal will be evaluated for a final letter grade. After the oral exam (see below), the committee will combine the grade from the written exam with student’s GPA in the core courses and the grade from the oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research. Students may retake the exam once.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9 (+3 summer terms)	17 (+5 summer terms)	24 (+8 summer terms)

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination before or during the summer at the end of their second year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental oral examination prior to the end of their ninth academic quarter (end of 3rd year) pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for academic disqualification. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Students admitted to the M.S. are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program. M.S. students interested in transitioning to the Ph.D. program will need to complete the Major/Classification Change petition and have it approved by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Graduate Division.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser are assigned a graduate adviser in the Fall quarter and should consult with this adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the student in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained and published on the website by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to prepare for their specific research area. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an written  examination that is administered by the student’s faculty advising committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded pass or fail and it is designed based on criteria that demonstrate mastery in an area of atmospheric and oceanic sciences through a project in the student’s area of interest. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. The Ph.D. written exam is acceptable as a written M.S. capstone examination. M.S. students who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is assessed by the student’s faculty advising committee and it is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought. M.S. students choosing the Thesis Plan who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	5 (+1 summer term)	6 (+2 summer terms)	9 (+3 summer terms)

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The faculty advising committee is also responsible for administering and assessing the oral and written components of the comprehensive examination to the student. Normally the student’s faculty advising committee forms the core of their doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study. After the written and oral exams (see below), the committee will combine the student’s GPA in the core courses and the letter grades from the written and oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original research as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the departmental written examination; the departmental oral  examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Departmental Written Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature and propose new science questions on a research topic. This ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the beginning of the summer. Students must take this exam at the end of their first year in the program (exceptions may be requested via petition to the Department’s graduate advising committee). The examination consists of a written research proposal in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic of their choice and propose scientific questions, the answers to which would advance the field. The proposal is evaluated by the students’ faculty advising committee, who will provide written comments and a letter grade. Students will have the opportunity to respond to written comments and revise the proposal within 3 months. The revised proposal will be evaluated for a final letter grade. After the oral exam (see below), the committee will combine the grade from the written exam with student’s GPA in the core courses and the grade from the oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research. Students may retake the exam once.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9 (+3 summer terms)	17 (+5 summer terms)	24 (+8 summer terms)

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination before or during the summer at the end of their second year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental oral examination prior to the end of their ninth academic quarter (end of 3rd year) pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for academic disqualification. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Students admitted to the M.S. are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program. M.S. students interested in transitioning to the Ph.D. program will need to complete the Major/Classification Change petition and have it approved by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Graduate Division.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser are assigned a graduate adviser in the Fall quarter and should consult with this adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the student in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the guidance committee serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Areas of Study

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained and published on the website by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to prepare for their specific research area. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The master’s capstone is an written  examination that is administered by the student’s faculty advising committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded pass or fail and it is designed based on criteria that demonstrate mastery in an area of atmospheric and oceanic sciences through a project in the student’s area of interest. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass, to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. The Ph.D. written exam is acceptable as a written M.S. capstone examination. M.S. students who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis as an alternative to the comprehensive examination. The thesis is assessed by the student’s faculty advising committee and it is graded on the basis of critical, creative and independent thought. M.S. students choosing the Thesis Plan who wish to continue towards a Ph.D. have to fulfill the Ph.D. examination requirements.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters (and two summer terms). The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters (and three summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	5 (+1 summer term)	6 (+2 summer terms)	9 (+3 summer terms)

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students who enter the program without an academic adviser should consult with a graduate adviser when planning their graduate study. Before the first year of graduate study is completed, students choose their principal academic adviser(s). The adviser(s) also serves as the chair for the student’s faculty advising committee, members of which are selected by the student in consultation with the principal adviser(s) before the end of the first year. This committee assists the students in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. The faculty advising committee is also responsible for administering and assessing the oral and written components of the comprehensive examination to the student. Normally the student’s faculty advising committee forms the core of their doctoral committee.

Evaluations of the academic progress of each student are made each Fall quarter when the graduate advisers, sitting as a committee, review student records, formally apprise students of their progress, and assist them in making future plans. The graduate advisers are also available throughout the year to meet with students as required.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Atmospheric dynamics and climate; oceanography; atmospheric physics and chemistry; upper atmosphere and space physics; biogeochemistry.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for the doctoral degree are satisfied by completion of a departmentally approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), six (24 units) of which must be entry level graduate courses drawn from a list maintained by the department and chosen to ensure proper breadth and preparation. The minimum of 12 additional units of course work is chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and (3) research courses (598) within the department. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advising committee, the program of study may be amended, at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental oral comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U grades courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study. After the written and oral exams (see below), the committee will combine the student’s GPA in the core courses and the letter grades from the written and oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

Students are required to present a graded departmental seminar based on their original research as part of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270. The grade for this seminar is based on the seminar presentation and is given by the faculty as a whole. A grade of B or better is required for the doctoral degree. Prior to the quarter in which the seminar is presented for a letter grade, students in the doctoral program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.

Teaching Experience

All students are required to teach (be employed as a teaching assistant within this department) at least two quarters.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students are required to complete three examinations before advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree: the departmental written examination; the departmental oral  examination; and the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Departmental Written Examination

All doctoral students are required to pass a written qualifying examination that demonstrates their ability to critically summarize and synthesize literature and propose new science questions on a research topic. This ability is demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an examination that is offered once a year, usually at the beginning of the summer. Students must take this exam at the end of their first year in the program (exceptions may be requested via petition to the Department’s graduate advising committee). The examination consists of a written research proposal in which students present a critical summary and synthesis of a research topic of their choice and propose scientific questions, the answers to which would advance the field. The proposal is evaluated by the students’ faculty advising committee, who will provide written comments and a letter grade. Students will have the opportunity to respond to written comments and revise the proposal within 3 months. The revised proposal will be evaluated for a final letter grade. After the oral exam (see below), the committee will combine the grade from the written exam with student’s GPA in the core courses and the grade from the oral departmental examinations to decide if the student meets the requirements to continue in the program.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

This examination is conducted by the student’s doctoral committee. The committee conducts an in-depth oral examination of the student’s written proposal of the dissertation research topic. The proposal is made available to the committee at least one week prior to the examination. The examination is graded based on the student’s ability to articulate a coherent and feasible plan of original and creative research. Students may retake the exam once.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative Time-to-Degree is 17 academic quarters (and five summer terms). Maximum Time-to-Degree is 24 academic quarters (and eight summer terms).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9 (+3 summer terms)	17 (+5 summer terms)	24 (+8 summer terms)

Students are expected to:

A. Pass the written component of the departmental comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their first year and to take the oral component of this examination before or during the summer at the end of their second year.

B. Take the University Oral Qualifying Examination at the end of their third year (nine academic quarters and three summer terms) or at the beginning of their fourth year.

To remain in good standing students must meet the course work requirements and pass the departmental oral examination prior to the end of their ninth academic quarter (end of 3rd year) pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination prior to the end of their thirteenth academic quarter; and the dissertation and final oral defense examination should be completed prior to the end of their eighteenth quarter. Exceptions to these policies may be granted based on extenuating circumstances or based on students being allowed to enroll part-time. In such cases, student progress is judged in relation to a time line determined by the graduate advisers in consultation with students and their principal advisers.

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms or for a total of three terms, or who fails to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination after two attempts, or who fails to remain in good standing for two consecutive or three total quarters (see definition of good standing under Time-To-Degree) will be recommended for academic disqualification. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Asian Languages and Cultures

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Asian Languages and Cultures. Except for the M.A. in Teaching Asian Languages, the Department only admits students with the Ph.D. as their degree objective, and students without a relevant M.A. from another institution are required to earn the M.A. as part of their pre-candidacy Ph.D. requirements.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Upon admission, students are assigned interim faculty advisers by the Director of Graduate Studies in conjunction with faculty in the students’ field, with whom they consult in the initial stages of course work. Students later choose a thesis adviser based on their area of interest. Students are required to meet with their graduate advisers at least once every quarter to establish their study program and check their progress. The Director of Graduate Studies is also available to meet with students on a regular basis or when necessary. The department evaluates student performance on an annual basis and students are expected to meet with their advisers to address their performance. After the annual evaluation, students are sent a letter that outlines the results of the evaluation.

Areas of Study

The department recognizes six areas of specialization at the M.A. level: Chinese literary and cultural studies, Japanese literary and cultural studies, Korean literary and cultural studies, Buddhist studies, East Asian linguistics, and cultural and comparative studies, designed to allow students with a primary focus on China, Japan, or Korea to incorporate comparative and interdisciplinary interests and studies in intellectual and cultural history. Students should consult with an appropriate faculty member to determine whether the department offers training in their specific area.

Foreign Language Requirement

During the first two years of residency, students at the M.A. degree level are required to have developed proficiency in relevant languages equivalent to the proficiency gained through completing a B.A. degree in their subject. Advancement to candidacy may not occur until the foreign language requirement has been satisfied. Master’s advancement to candidacy should always precede doctoral advancement to candidacy

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must demonstrate competence in modern Chinese (equivalent to successful completion of Chinese 101B) and in classical Chinese (equivalent to completion of Chinese 110C).

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must demonstrate competence in modern Japanese (equivalent to successful completion of Japanese 101B) and in classical Japanese (equivalent to completion of Japanese 110).

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must demonstrate competence in modern Korean (equivalent to successful completion of Korean 101C) and in classical Chinese (equivalent to completion of Chinese 110C).

Students in Buddhist studies must demonstrate competence in at least one of the canonical languages of Buddhism, e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Sanskrit, or Tibetan (equivalent to successful completion of a fourth-year course).

Students in East Asian linguistics must demonstrate competence in modern Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (equivalent to successful completion of Chinese 101B, Japanese 101B, or Korean 101B).

Students in cultural and comparative studies must fulfill the language requirements appropriate to their national focus, e.g., competence in modern and classical Chinese for students focusing on China, competence in modern Korean and classical Chinese for students focusing on Korea, and so forth.

Course Requirements

Nine courses (36 units) are required for the degree, six (24) of which must be graduate courses. In addition, students in the following fields must take the specified courses as part of their nine-course requirement.

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must take two courses from Chinese 200A-200B-200C.

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must take two Japanese Studies seminars, each from a different instructor.

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must take Korean 200.

Students in Buddhist studies must take either Asian 201 or the 200 course(s) that most closely corresponds to their major canonical language.

Students in East Asian linguistics must take either Asian 200 or Asian 202.

Students in cultural and comparative studies must take the 200 course corresponding most closely to their national focus.

In exceptional cases and with the approval of their faculty adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, students may substitute a similar bibliography/research methods course offered in another department or a specialized bibliography/research methods course supervised by a departmental faculty member.

Students in Chinese and Japanese are further required to take at least one graduate-level course (not a 200 course) employing material in classical Chinese or classical Japanese respectively. Course requirements for students in cultural and comparative studies are identical to those for their chosen area of national focus.

Students must take at least one seminar in each of their three comprehensive examination fields.

With the consent of the department, up to three courses taken outside the department (for which S/U grading is acceptable) may be applied toward the nine-course requirement. No more than two courses in the 500 series may apply toward the divisional minimum of nine courses required for a master’s degree, and only one of these two courses may be counted toward the minimum of six graduate courses required for the degree. Seminars taught as two-quarter sequences (e.g., Asian 220A-220B) are counted as two courses.

Courses used to meet the language requirements and admission standards do not apply toward the master’s degree course requirements. International students may also be required to take English as a Second Language 33A, 33B, 33C, 34, 36, or other English as a Second Language courses; these courses do not apply toward master’s degree course requirements.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Students, in consultation with their faculty adviser, must determine their three comprehensive examination fields. Students then must take at least one seminar in each of their three comprehensive examination fields. The comprehensive examination consists of the submission of three seminar research papers and evaluation of them by the ad hoc committee chaired by the candidate’s principal adviser, and an oral examination based on those papers. The committee must be formally approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or the chair before the circulation of the seminar papers and the oral examination. A translation examination in the student’s language of specialization must also be taken unless the student has taken courses to fulfill the language requirement or has demonstrated proficiency. The evaluation of the three seminar papers by the ad hoc committee and of the oral examination based on the papers determines whether students are admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students who are admitted to graduate status with no deficiencies in prior course work and who carry a standard course load should be able to obtain the degree after six quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Upon admission students are assigned interim faculty advisers by the Director of Graduate Studies in conjunction with faculty in the students’ field, with whom they consult in the initial stages of course work. Students then choose a dissertation adviser based on their area of interest. Students are required to meet with their graduate advisers at least once every quarter to establish their study program and check their progress. The Director of Graduate Studies is also available to meet with students on a regular basis or when necessary. The department evaluates student performance on an annual basis and students are expected to meet with their advisers to address their performance. After the annual evaluation, students are sent a letter that outlines the results of the evaluation.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The department recognizes six areas of specialization at the Ph.D. level: Chinese literary and cultural studies, Japanese literary and cultural studies, Korean literary and cultural studies, Buddhist studies, East Asian linguistics, and cultural and comparative studies. Students should consult with an appropriate faculty member to determine whether the department offers training in their specific area.

Foreign Language Requirement

In addition to completing the foreign language requirement for the M.A. degree, students at the Ph.D. level must fulfill an additional requirement. This may be fulfilled either by completing a total of two or three years of study of language(s)  outside of the focus language (depending on the specialization), or by passing a written translation examination, administered by the faculty in the language field with the approval of the student’s adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, demonstrating the equivalent of language study.

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must complete either (a) six quarters (two years) of course work in a second Asian language or (b) three quarters (one year) of course work in a second Asian language and three quarters (one year) of course work in a third language or a translation examination in a third language demonstrating one year of proficiency. Students may choose to take a translation examination in a second Asian language to demonstrate proficiency at the second or third year level. The specific language or languages used to fulfill the requirement is determined through consultation with the student’s faculty advisory committee.

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must demonstrate advanced competence in modern Japanese. They must also complete at least two years of training in classical and/or modern Asian languages other than modern Japanese. Students can take two years of a modern language or combine one year of a modern language with one year of a classical language (Japanese, Chinese or Sanskrit) or two years of a classical language (Japanese,  Chinese or Sanskrit ). The particular combination of languages is flexible but should be chosen in consultation with and approved by the student’s adviser. Students may also satisfy one year of the language requirements by demonstrating reading proficiency in a non-East Asian language relevant to their research. Students can also fulfill the language requirements by taking the necessary placement exams.

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must complete six quarters (two years) of course work in a second Asian language. Students may choose to take a translation examination in a second Asian language to demonstrate proficiency at the second year level. The specific language or languages used to fulfill the requirement is determined through consultation with the student’s faculty advisory committee.

Students in Buddhist studies must complete either (a) nine quarters (three years) of course work in a Buddhist canonical language other than their language of primary focus or (b) six quarters (two years) of course work in a Buddhist canonical language other than their language of primary focus and French or German 3 or a translation examination in French or German demonstrating one year of proficiency. Students may choose to take a translation examination in a Buddhist canonical language other than their language of primary focus to demonstrate proficiency at the second or third year level.

Students in East Asian linguistics must complete a total of six quarters (two years) of course work in Asian languages, including introductory language courses of one or more Asian languages and/or courses on the structures of Asian languages.  Students can also fulfill the language requirements by taking the necessary placement exams.

Students in cultural and comparative studies must complete the language requirement for their chosen area of national focus.

With the approval of their faculty adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, in some cases students may be permitted to fulfill the foreign language requirement through alternative programs of study.

Course Requirements

A minimum of five graduate courses (not including courses taken to meet the language requirements) beyond the M.A. degree is required for the Ph.D. degree. In addition, students in the following fields must take the specified courses as part of their five-course requirement.

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must take one additional course from Chinese 200A-200B-200C (beyond courses used to fulfill the M.A. degree requirement).

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must take two Japanese Studies seminars (unless they have already taken these seminars to fulfill the M.A. degree requirement at this university).

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must take Korean 215.

Students in Buddhist studies must take one additional course, either Asian 201 or the 200 course(s) that most closely corresponds to either their major canonical language or a second canonical language.

Students in cultural and comparative studies must take Asian 210.

Students entering the program with an M.A. degree in a different field, or in the same field but from another institution, must meet the standards of the department’s M.A. course work in addition to fulfilling Ph.D. course requirements. Students who have not fulfilled the 200-series course requirements and/or the language requirements for the department’s M.A. degree must do so for the Ph.D. program. Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies and Japanese literary and cultural studies must take at least one graduate-level course (not a 200 course) employing materials in classical Chinese or classical Japanese respectively, if they have not already fulfilled this requirement within the department.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students must take written qualifying examinations as follows:

Chinese literary and cultural studies: (1) a general examination in Chinese literature; (2) examinations in two approved fields which must be chosen from at least two of the following groups: (a) Chinese poetry, Chinese fiction and drama, and modern Chinese literature; (b) ancient Chinese civilization, Chinese Buddhism, another field of Chinese thought or Chinese linguistics; (c) an outside field from within the department; or (d) a field offered in another department or interdepartmental program.

Japanese literary and cultural studies: (1) a general examination in Japanese literature; (2) examinations in two approved fields which must be chosen from at least two of the following groups: (a) ancient, medieval, early modern, or modern Japanese literature; (b) Japanese Buddhism, another field of Japanese thought, or Japanese linguistics; (c) an outside field from within the department; or (d) a field offered in another department or interdepartmental program.

Korean literary and cultural studies: (1) a general examination in Korean literature; (2) examinations in three approved fields which must be chosen from at least two of the following groups: (a) Korean poetry, Korean fiction, modern Korean literature; (b) Korean Buddhism, Korean Christianity, Korean thought, or Korean linguistics; (c) an outside field from within the department; or (d) a field offered in another department or interdepartmental program.

Buddhist studies: (1) a general examination in the major field; (2) an examination in an approved subfield within the major field; (3) a general examination in another approved field inside or outside the department.

East Asian linguistics: in lieu of written examinations, students submit two publishable papers in different areas or fields of linguistics, to be approved by a doctoral guidance committee. The papers may be revised or extended seminar papers but must be prepared after admission to the Ph.D. program.

Cultural and comparative studies: examinations in four fields selected in consultation with the student’s academic adviser, including at least two fields within the department and at least one with a comparative or theoretical focus. These four fields must be selected so that at least two are from the student’s primary language area and two from a specific discipline.

Once all language and course requirements are satisfied, the qualifying examinations may be taken. All examinations must be completed within a four-week period. With the consent of the department, the examinations may be repeated only once.

At the time of the written examinations, students select a doctoral committee for appointment by the Graduate Division; the chair of this committee serves as the student’s dissertation adviser. Students must pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination on the dissertation proposal within six months after the written examinations. Students must submit the dissertation proposal to the doctoral committee at least three weeks prior to the scheduled date of the oral defense. With the department’s consent, the examination may be repeated only once.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

Students Who Enter the Program with a Bachelor’s Degree

Students who enter the doctoral program at the master’s degree level are expected to complete the program within seven years (21 quarters). These students must complete the requirements for the master’s degree by the end of their second year. Upon receipt of the master’s degree, students are expected to advance to doctoral candidacy within two years (6 quarters) or by the end of their fourth year in the program. After advancement to doctoral candidacy, students are expected to complete the doctoral degree program within three years (9 quarters).

Students Who Enter the Program with a Master’s Degree

Students who enter the doctoral program with a master’s degree completed at another university are expected to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree within five years (15 quarters). Students must advance to doctoral candidacy within three years (9 quarters). Students with master’s degree who are unable to advance to doctoral candidacy by the end of the third year may petition for an additional quarter(s) with the support of their advisers. After advancement to doctoral candidacy, students are expected to complete the doctoral degree program within two years (6 quarters).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	21	30

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

All cases of recommendation for academic disqualification are made through departmental vote.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Asian Languages and Cultures

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Asian Languages and Cultures. Except for the M.A. in Teaching Asian Languages, the Department only admits students with the Ph.D. as their degree objective, and students without a relevant M.A. from another institution are required to earn the M.A. as part of their pre-candidacy Ph.D. requirements.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Upon admission, students are assigned interim faculty advisers by the Director of Graduate Studies in conjunction with faculty in the students’ field, with whom they consult in the initial stages of course work. Students later choose a thesis adviser based on their area of interest. Students are required to meet with their graduate advisers at least once every quarter to establish their study program and check their progress. The Director of Graduate Studies is also available to meet with students on a regular basis or when necessary. The department evaluates student performance on an annual basis and students are expected to meet with their advisers to address their performance. After the annual evaluation, students are sent a letter that outlines the results of the evaluation.

Areas of Study

The department recognizes six areas of specialization at the M.A. level: Chinese literary and cultural studies, Japanese literary and cultural studies, Korean literary and cultural studies, Buddhist studies, East Asian linguistics, and cultural and comparative studies, designed to allow students with a primary focus on China, Japan, or Korea to incorporate comparative and interdisciplinary interests and studies in intellectual and cultural history. Students should consult with an appropriate faculty member to determine whether the department offers training in their specific area.

Foreign Language Requirement

During the first two years of residency, students at the M.A. degree level are required to have developed proficiency in relevant languages equivalent to the proficiency gained through completing a B.A. degree in their subject. Advancement to candidacy may not occur until the foreign language requirement has been satisfied. Master’s advancement to candidacy should always precede doctoral advancement to candidacy

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must demonstrate competence in modern Chinese (equivalent to successful completion of Chinese 101B) and in classical Chinese (equivalent to completion of Chinese 110C).

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must demonstrate competence in modern Japanese (equivalent to successful completion of Japanese 101B) and in classical Japanese (equivalent to completion of Japanese 110).

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must demonstrate competence in modern Korean (equivalent to successful completion of Korean 101C) and in classical Chinese (equivalent to completion of Chinese 110C).

Students in Buddhist studies must demonstrate competence in at least one of the canonical languages of Buddhism, e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Sanskrit, or Tibetan (equivalent to successful completion of a fourth-year course).

Students in East Asian linguistics must demonstrate competence in modern Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (equivalent to successful completion of Chinese 101B, Japanese 101B, or Korean 101B).

Students in cultural and comparative studies must fulfill the language requirements appropriate to their national focus, e.g., competence in modern and classical Chinese for students focusing on China, competence in modern Korean and classical Chinese for students focusing on Korea, and so forth.

Course Requirements

Nine courses (36 units) are required for the degree, six (24) of which must be graduate courses. In addition, students in the following fields must take the specified courses as part of their nine-course requirement.

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must take two courses from Chinese 200A-200B-200C.

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must take two Japanese Studies seminars, each from a different instructor.

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must take Korean 200.

Students in Buddhist studies must take either Asian 201 or the 200 course(s) that most closely corresponds to their major canonical language.

Students in East Asian linguistics must take either Asian 200 or Asian 202.

Students in cultural and comparative studies must take the 200 course corresponding most closely to their national focus.

In exceptional cases and with the approval of their faculty adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, students may substitute a similar bibliography/research methods course offered in another department or a specialized bibliography/research methods course supervised by a departmental faculty member.

Students in Chinese and Japanese are further required to take at least one graduate-level course (not a 200 course) employing material in classical Chinese or classical Japanese respectively. Course requirements for students in cultural and comparative studies are identical to those for their chosen area of national focus.

Students must take at least one seminar in each of their three comprehensive examination fields.

With the consent of the department, up to three courses taken outside the department (for which S/U grading is acceptable) may be applied toward the nine-course requirement. No more than two courses in the 500 series may apply toward the divisional minimum of nine courses required for a master’s degree, and only one of these two courses may be counted toward the minimum of six graduate courses required for the degree. Seminars taught as two-quarter sequences (e.g., Asian 220A-220B) are counted as two courses.

Courses used to meet the language requirements and admission standards do not apply toward the master’s degree course requirements. International students may also be required to take English as a Second Language 33A, 33B, 33C, 34, 36, or other English as a Second Language courses; these courses do not apply toward master’s degree course requirements.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Students, in consultation with their faculty adviser, must determine their three comprehensive examination fields. Students then must take at least one seminar in each of their three comprehensive examination fields. The comprehensive examination consists of the submission of three seminar research papers and evaluation of them by the ad hoc committee chaired by the candidate’s principal adviser, and an oral examination based on those papers. The committee must be formally approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or the chair before the circulation of the seminar papers and the oral examination. A translation examination in the student’s language of specialization must also be taken unless the student has taken courses to fulfill the language requirement or has demonstrated proficiency. The evaluation of the three seminar papers by the ad hoc committee and of the oral examination based on the papers determines whether students are admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students who are admitted to graduate status with no deficiencies in prior course work and who carry a standard course load should be able to obtain the degree after six quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Upon admission students are assigned interim faculty advisers by the Director of Graduate Studies in conjunction with faculty in the students’ field, with whom they consult in the initial stages of course work. Students then choose a dissertation adviser based on their area of interest. Students are required to meet with their graduate advisers at least once every quarter to establish their study program and check their progress. The Director of Graduate Studies is also available to meet with students on a regular basis or when necessary. The department evaluates student performance on an annual basis and students are expected to meet with their advisers to address their performance. After the annual evaluation, students are sent a letter that outlines the results of the evaluation.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The department recognizes six areas of specialization at the Ph.D. level: Chinese literary and cultural studies, Japanese literary and cultural studies, Korean literary and cultural studies, Buddhist studies, East Asian linguistics, and cultural and comparative studies. Students should consult with an appropriate faculty member to determine whether the department offers training in their specific area.

Foreign Language Requirement

In addition to completing the foreign language requirement for the M.A. degree, students at the Ph.D. level must fulfill an additional requirement. This may be fulfilled either by completing a total of two or three years of study of language(s)  outside of the focus language (depending on the specialization), or by passing a written translation examination, administered by the faculty in the language field with the approval of the student’s adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, demonstrating the equivalent of language study.

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must complete either (a) six quarters (two years) of course work in a second Asian language or (b) three quarters (one year) of course work in a second Asian language and three quarters (one year) of course work in a third language or a translation examination in a third language demonstrating one year of proficiency. Students may choose to take a translation examination in a second Asian language to demonstrate proficiency at the second or third year level. The specific language or languages used to fulfill the requirement is determined through consultation with the student’s faculty advisory committee.

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must demonstrate advanced competence in modern Japanese. They must also complete at least two years of training in classical and/or modern Asian languages other than modern Japanese. Students can take two years of a modern language or combine one year of a modern language with one year of a classical language (Japanese, Chinese or Sanskrit) or two years of a classical language (Japanese,  Chinese or Sanskrit ). The particular combination of languages is flexible but should be chosen in consultation with and approved by the student’s adviser. Students may also satisfy one year of the language requirements by demonstrating reading proficiency in a non-East Asian language relevant to their research. Students can also fulfill the language requirements by taking the necessary placement exams.

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must complete six quarters (two years) of course work in a second Asian language. Students may choose to take a translation examination in a second Asian language to demonstrate proficiency at the second year level. The specific language or languages used to fulfill the requirement is determined through consultation with the student’s faculty advisory committee.

Students in Buddhist studies must complete either (a) nine quarters (three years) of course work in a Buddhist canonical language other than their language of primary focus or (b) six quarters (two years) of course work in a Buddhist canonical language other than their language of primary focus and French or German 3 or a translation examination in French or German demonstrating one year of proficiency. Students may choose to take a translation examination in a Buddhist canonical language other than their language of primary focus to demonstrate proficiency at the second or third year level.

Students in East Asian linguistics must complete a total of six quarters (two years) of course work in Asian languages, including introductory language courses of one or more Asian languages and/or courses on the structures of Asian languages.  Students can also fulfill the language requirements by taking the necessary placement exams.

Students in cultural and comparative studies must complete the language requirement for their chosen area of national focus.

With the approval of their faculty adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, in some cases students may be permitted to fulfill the foreign language requirement through alternative programs of study.

Course Requirements

A minimum of five graduate courses (not including courses taken to meet the language requirements) beyond the M.A. degree is required for the Ph.D. degree. In addition, students in the following fields must take the specified courses as part of their five-course requirement.

Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies must take one additional course from Chinese 200A-200B-200C (beyond courses used to fulfill the M.A. degree requirement).

Students in Japanese literary and cultural studies must take two Japanese Studies seminars (unless they have already taken these seminars to fulfill the M.A. degree requirement at this university).

Students in Korean literary and cultural studies must take Korean 215.

Students in Buddhist studies must take one additional course, either Asian 201 or the 200 course(s) that most closely corresponds to either their major canonical language or a second canonical language.

Students in cultural and comparative studies must take Asian 210.

Students entering the program with an M.A. degree in a different field, or in the same field but from another institution, must meet the standards of the department’s M.A. course work in addition to fulfilling Ph.D. course requirements. Students who have not fulfilled the 200-series course requirements and/or the language requirements for the department’s M.A. degree must do so for the Ph.D. program. Students in Chinese literary and cultural studies and Japanese literary and cultural studies must take at least one graduate-level course (not a 200 course) employing materials in classical Chinese or classical Japanese respectively, if they have not already fulfilled this requirement within the department.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students must take written qualifying examinations as follows:

Chinese literary and cultural studies: (1) a general examination in Chinese literature; (2) examinations in two approved fields which must be chosen from at least two of the following groups: (a) Chinese poetry, Chinese fiction and drama, and modern Chinese literature; (b) ancient Chinese civilization, Chinese Buddhism, another field of Chinese thought or Chinese linguistics; (c) an outside field from within the department; or (d) a field offered in another department or interdepartmental program.

Japanese literary and cultural studies: (1) a general examination in Japanese literature; (2) examinations in two approved fields which must be chosen from at least two of the following groups: (a) ancient, medieval, early modern, or modern Japanese literature; (b) Japanese Buddhism, another field of Japanese thought, or Japanese linguistics; (c) an outside field from within the department; or (d) a field offered in another department or interdepartmental program.

Korean literary and cultural studies: (1) a general examination in Korean literature; (2) examinations in three approved fields which must be chosen from at least two of the following groups: (a) Korean poetry, Korean fiction, modern Korean literature; (b) Korean Buddhism, Korean Christianity, Korean thought, or Korean linguistics; (c) an outside field from within the department; or (d) a field offered in another department or interdepartmental program.

Buddhist studies: (1) a general examination in the major field; (2) an examination in an approved subfield within the major field; (3) a general examination in another approved field inside or outside the department.

East Asian linguistics: in lieu of written examinations, students submit two publishable papers in different areas or fields of linguistics, to be approved by a doctoral guidance committee. The papers may be revised or extended seminar papers but must be prepared after admission to the Ph.D. program.

Cultural and comparative studies: examinations in four fields selected in consultation with the student’s academic adviser, including at least two fields within the department and at least one with a comparative or theoretical focus. These four fields must be selected so that at least two are from the student’s primary language area and two from a specific discipline.

Once all language and course requirements are satisfied, the qualifying examinations may be taken. All examinations must be completed within a four-week period. With the consent of the department, the examinations may be repeated only once.

At the time of the written examinations, students select a doctoral committee for appointment by the Graduate Division; the chair of this committee serves as the student’s dissertation adviser. Students must pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination on the dissertation proposal within six months after the written examinations. Students must submit the dissertation proposal to the doctoral committee at least three weeks prior to the scheduled date of the oral defense. With the department’s consent, the examination may be repeated only once.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

Students Who Enter the Program with a Bachelor’s Degree

Students who enter the doctoral program at the master’s degree level are expected to complete the program within seven years (21 quarters). These students must complete the requirements for the master’s degree by the end of their second year. Upon receipt of the master’s degree, students are expected to advance to doctoral candidacy within two years (6 quarters) or by the end of their fourth year in the program. After advancement to doctoral candidacy, students are expected to complete the doctoral degree program within three years (9 quarters).

Students Who Enter the Program with a Master’s Degree

Students who enter the doctoral program with a master’s degree completed at another university are expected to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree within five years (15 quarters). Students must advance to doctoral candidacy within three years (9 quarters). Students with master’s degree who are unable to advance to doctoral candidacy by the end of the third year may petition for an additional quarter(s) with the support of their advisers. After advancement to doctoral candidacy, students are expected to complete the doctoral degree program within two years (6 quarters).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	21	30

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

All cases of recommendation for academic disqualification are made through departmental vote.