Ph.D Program

GFDI: PhD

Associated Departments Geophysical fluid dynamics is an interdisciplinary field of study whose primary goal is enhanced understanding of flows associated with this and possibly other planets. Examples of such flows are found in Meteorology the fluid being air, in Oceanography the fluid being water, in the Earth's interior the fluid being molten material or groundwater. Consequently, this discipline combines elements from the departments listed to produce a unique degree.


The graduate program in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics differs from regular departmental offerings in the earth sciences by its emphasis on the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, fluid dynamics, and computational sciences and de-emphasis on descriptive material from one discipline. This body of knowledge is needed for the student to tackle a given research problem of his choice in a particular field of geophysical flow research. The prospective student in the Ph.D. program in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, in cooperation with his advisor and his Ph. D. Committee, selects a number of courses from the various allied departments, making the program very flexible. Mr. Li at the printers

2004 Graduate Student Costs and Aid at Major Universities*
School Tuition & Fees Expenses Total Tuition Waiver? Other Aid After Expenses Normalized Rate
GA Inst. of Tech. 16,268 8,650 24,918 yes 20,000 11,350 11,094 103%
FSU/GFDI 15,554 7,933 23,487 yes 16,000 8,067 8,067 100%
U. Virginia 22,890 8,875 31,765 yes 15,120 6,245 5,358 110%
Colorado State 14,967 9,645 24,612 yes 22,302 12,657 12,175 105%
SUNY Albany 21,871 5,247 27,118 yes 9,000 3,753 4,540 85%
UCLA 22,983 12,297 35,280 partial 14,357 2,060 -399 120%
U. Washington 16,939 8,380 25,319 partial 17,340 8,960 7,116 122%
U. C. Berkeley 14,210 6,832 21,042 partial 28,668 21,836 19,376 136%
U. Chicago 28,689 10,157 38,846 yes 14,076 3,910 -1,464 153%
U. Oregon 13,689 10,030 23,719 yes 13,000 2,970 2,368 106%
MIT/WHOI 29,600 12,000 41,600 yes 18,270 17,070 2,310 133%

*For a period of 3 semesters or one calendar year, based on information given by Universities' webpages. The 7th column gives the amount of financial-aid money a student might have left after expected expenses; negative numbers indicate amounts owed. The 8th column gives this amount adjusted for the differing purchasing power of currency in different parts of the United States. This "inflation" rate is given in the last column, and was derived from information given by various online cost-of-living calulators, such as from MonsterMoving.com or Homefair.com.


How to Apply to the GFD Ph. D. Program

It's easy to apply. Just follow the instructions below. You might want to print out this page first, and check each step off as you complete it. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, edit, and print the application forms. If your computer is not compatible with this program you can email or write to request paper copies of the forms.)

First, Apply for Assistantship at GFDI.

  1. Download the GFD Ph.D. Program's Application for Graduate Assistantship.
  2. Fill it out. Edit the pdf file on screen, or print the form and neatly type or write your responses.
  3. Send it. You can send the edited pdf file as an email attachment or you can send a printed copy by regular mail.
  4. Ask 3 people who are acquainted with your academic and professional background to write letters of recommendation for you, and send them by regular mail to GFDI.

Second, Apply to FSU's Graduate School.

For more informatin check out:

Graduate Information Request Page

Then go through the following steps:
  1. If you are a United States Citizen, download the FSU Graduate School Admission Application . (You may want to download the Informational Brochure also.)
    OR
    If you are an International Student, download the FSU Graduate School International Application for Admission and the Certification of Financial Responsibility. (You may want to download the Informational Brochure for International Students also.)
  2. Print these forms and fill them out. Remember to include copies of supporting documentation, such as test scores, grade transcripts, identification papers, and so on.
  3. Send the completed forms and supporting documentation by regular mail to FSU's Office of Admissions(address), along with your application fee or fee waiver. You might also wish to include a self-addressed stamped postcard that the Admissions Office can return to you to let you know your application has been received.

You have applied to the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Ph.D. Program at Florida State University! You will be notified as soon as possible if your application is accepted.

Questions? Email or write (Attn: Ph.D Program) for more information.


GFDI
http://gfdi.fsu.edu/staticpages/index.php/gfdphd