Graduate requirements: Geobiology option
In addition to general Institute and basic division requirements, candidates for the PhD degree in geobiology must successfully complete a minimum of 90 units at the 100 or greater level, including Ge 104, Bi/Ch 110, and ACM/ESE 118. These units should include advanced courses most relevant to the student's thesis research. At least 45 of the 90 units must be taken outside the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, preferably in biology (with a grade of C or better). It is possible for these to be used to satisfy part of the requirements for a minor. A student with substantial prior experience in geobiology (e.g. a master's degree) may use prior coursework to substitute up to 45 of these units on approval of the geobiology option representative. All students must have a basic knowledge of chemistry at the level of Ch 41. This requirement may be met by previous course work or through successful completion of this class.Units at Caltech nominally reflect the total hours a typical student will spend per week in the classroom, the lab and with homework. Thus, a nine unit course may involve three hours in the classroom, two hours in a laboratory and four hours doing homework each week.
