Students in the GPS graduate program study the earth and other planets to understand their origin, composition, and development, and to examine the effects of their resulting physical and chemical characteristics on the history of life, on the environment, and on humanity.

A broad training in fundamental science, enriched by specialized coursework within the division, forms the basis of the graduate educational program. GPS graduate students are encouraged to work with complex and often incomplete data sets, to use the many modern laboratory facilities available within the division, and to undertake research in natural settings outside the lab. GPS's flexible curriculum allows graduate students with diverse backgrounds and degrees in science and engineering to carry out their graduate work within GPS while simultaneously pursuing interdisciplinary studies within a number of Caltech's other academic divisions.

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in planetary science must satisfy the following course requirements: Ge 101, Ge 102, and courses in planetary formation and dynamics (Ge/Ay 133), planetary atmospheres (Ge/ESE 150), planetary interiors (Ge 131), and planetary surfaces (Ge 151). In addition, students shall successfully complete 45 units of 100-level or higher courses in a coherent field of specialization. This requirement may be satisfied by completion of a subject minor or through a set of courses chosen in consultation with and approved by the adviser and the option representative. All candidates are expected to possess knowledge of physics and mathematics at the level of Ge 108, and higher-level mathematics and physics courses are strongly encouraged. This requirement may be met by previous coursework or through successful completion of this class. All candidates are expected to attend the planetary sciences seminar regularly and register for six terms of Ge 109 (planetary sciences section of oral communication) for a total of 6 units, nominally in the first year and second year. Satisfaction of the oral presentation coursework requirement includes at least one 30-minute presentation by the student in the planetary sciences seminar. Typically, students will present on their research work each year after the first year.