Research Advisor
Every doctoral student in the Earth System Science Graduate program is assigned a provisional advisor at the time of admission. The provisional advisor is assigned based on the student’s interests and communications with faculty during the application process. The provisional advisor may ultimately become the principal advisor, but until a principal advisor is identified, you can change provisional advisors as necessary to explore new opportunities, colleagues, and areas of research. The Earth System Science Department maintains a commitment to each graduate student who matriculates into our program and will therefore help to ensure that every student finds a research advisor who suits their needs. First-year graduate students should consult with their provisional advisor on any matters relating to their course of study or research goals. By the end of the spring quarter in the first year, each student needs to have their principal advisor identified and to be working with that advisor to identify a possible summer research project.
Graduate Advisor (Vice Chair of Graduate Studies)
The Graduate Advisor supervises the activities of student advisory committees, reviews graduate study plans, and monitors the progress of all graduate students. The Graduate Advisor also coordinates student awards, assigns teaching assistantships, oversees curriculum revisions, and organizes the comprehensive exam. Students should feel free to speak with the Graduate Advisor at any time about any issue, especially those relevant to their academic and research progress. The Graduate Advisor for the 2026-2027 academic year is Dr. Saewung Kim (saewungk@uci.edu).
Addressing Concerns
Normally, a graduate student's principal advisor or thesis committee will attempt to solve problems. Problems involving department policies should be addressed to the Graduate Advisor or Chair. In the case of more serious problems, the Dean of Physical Sciences and other university officials may become involved, but only after attempts at solving the problem within the Department are exhausted. Students are also welcome and encouraged to bring concerns or issues to the attention of any department staff member who can guide them on the proper course for resolution.